READ: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11
Today’s poem is rooted in some of the names of God we find in Scripture. These names point to both His eternal greatness and His servant-like humility. I just can’t get over these “opposite but not” attributes of our unfathomable God! The more I dwell on them, the more I am astounded at the depth of His love. Only a great and immortal God could love so sacrificially, so incorruptibly. Thus, in crafting this poem I aimed at making the third stanza its focal point, praying that the highest demonstration of God’s humility—His love displayed in Jesus’s death on the cross—might prompt me to allow Him to reveal any selfish pride hiding in my own heart. For it is this love that ultimately anchors my faith in the eternal love of God.
Holy God,
Immortal One,
Mighty, Faithful, True—
May Thy mercy fall on us,
Oh, cleanse our hearts anew!
Lord of All,
Eternal King,
Ever-ruling One—
May we praise
Thy righteousness,
Unveiled in Christ the Son!
Lamb of God,
Anointed One,
Thou Who humbly died—
May Thy bleeding body be
The dying of our pride!
Son of God,
The Risen One,
Perfect, sinless, pure—
May our hearts be
filled with hope,
For Thy love endures!
Word of God,
Bright Morning Star,
Beginning and the End—
May Thy joy fill
heav’n and earth,
Our King,
the great Amen! • G. Kam Congleton
• The names of God in today’s poem reveal the good news of Jesus—how He humbly died for us and then rose again so that our sins could be cleansed and we could share in the joy of His kingdom! Which of the names for God in today’s poem sticks out to you today? Why is that?
• If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 139:23-24; Matthew 28:6; John 1:29; Acts 10:36; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 2:10; 1 John 4:19; Revelation 3:14; 19:11, 13; 22:13, 16.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)