From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Jun 13, 2022 at 5:16 AM

Subject: 6-13-22 THOUGHTS

6-13-22   THOUGHTS

We learned a new hymn in our singing workshop this weekend.  It was I CLOSE MY EYES by Jay Conner.  We got to hear the author talk about how he came to write the song.  He referenced Isaiah chapter 6 when speaking of the simple chorus.  The beautiful music occupies my soul as I ponder the “Throne scene” below and think on the GLORY OF OUR GOD!  But you don’t need the music, the very words provide the power.  Isaiah 6 contrasts this GLORY SCENE, with a chosen people who will not or cannot hear.  It really is a sad scene.  

Isa 6:1-10       In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2  Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3  And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."  4  And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.  5  Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."  6  Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7  He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." 8  Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9  He said, "Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ 10  "Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed."  
Matt 13:10-17    14  "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
16  "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear

Hymn “I CLOSE MY EYES”   Jay Conner
Verse 1: My pray’r, Jehovah, hear to my entreating cry; In faithfulness, give ear, in righteousness reply. No God have I but Thee; Teach me to do Thy will; Thy spirit’s good; Lead me on even pathway still.
Verse 2:  Because I trust in Thee, O, cause Thou me to hear Thy loving kindness free, when morning doth appear. Make me to know Thy way where-in my path should be; Because my soul each day do I lift up to Thee.
Chorus:   I close my eyes; I see His Majesty;
                                     I close my eyes, and feel His love for me.
My Prayer:
O God, may we see, may we hear...  so clearly that we will respond totally in love.  Help our hearts to be absorbed with your glory and majesty.  When we close our eyes, may we be in your presence.  May the drama of entering the place of your presence, unfold in our hearts.  Help the picture of HOLY to occupy our hearts.  May we come to say, “here am I, send me”.  Increase our faith O majestic God of eternity.            In Jesus blessed name,   Amen.