Inspired

Inspired (by guest writer David Peterson)

While in the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus was talking to the Jews and in John 8:28-29 He says; “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” Jesus is foreshadowing His own crucifixion and telling them that He does as His Father instructs. Jesus is telling them of His unique, symbiotic, intimate relationship with His Father in total unity with His will and direction. We do well to remember, that as part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit was present at all of these junctures.

With the backdrop of Jesus being the Living Word and the Holy Spirit inspiring the written Word, Pastor John Piper once wrote; “The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God’s Word you know and love, the more of God’s Spirit you will experience.” Jesus sent His Spirit as a gift to be with us, live in us, teach us about Him and remind us of His words. As He said in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The Words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” What an inspiration!

The prolific Isaac Watts wrote the hymn “My Dear Redeemer and My Lord” in 1709. The first two stanzas follow;

1 My dear Redeemer and my Lord,

I read my duty in your Word;

but in your life the law appears,

drawn out in living characters.

2 Such was your truth, and such your zeal,

such def'rence to your Father's will,

such love and meekness so divine,

I would transcribe and make them mine.

Watts captures the power of Jesus’ words as an inspiration to us all.

Let us pray: Almighty God, we come before You seeking wisdom and understanding as we engage with Your Word. Grant us a discerning heart, and holy inspiration, to grasp the deeper meanings within the scriptures. Amen.