(Edward Payson, 1783-1827)
Only to be permitted to contemplate such a being as Jehovah . . .
to ponder goodness, holiness, justice, mercy, patience and sovereignty–personified and condensed;
and ponder them united with eternity, infinite power, unerring wisdom, omnipresence, and all sufficiency.
Because to ponder all these natural and moral perfections indissolubly united and blended in sweet harmony–in one pure, spiritual being, and that being placed on the throne of the universe
–and ponder this would be happiness enough to fill the mind of any creature in existence!
But in addition to this,
to have this ineffable Being for my God, my portion, my all;
and be permitted to say, “This God is my God forever and ever!”
to have His resplendent countenance smile upon me;
and be encircled in His everlasting arms of power and faithfulness and love;
to hear His voice saying to me, “I am yours–and you are Mine! Because Nothing shall ever pluck you from My hands, or separate you from My love. But you shall be with Me where I am, behold My glory, and live to reign with Me forever and ever!”
Therefore This is too much!
Because It is honor, it is glory–it is happiness too overwhelming, too transporting for mortal minds to conceive, or for mortal frames to support!
Therefore In Heaven, the saints will be entirely lost and swallowed up in God. Their minds will be so completely absorbed in the contemplation of His ineffable, infinite, uncreated glories!
Oh, then, what must it be, to escape forever from error, ignorance and and sin–into the region of bright, eternal day!
To behold your God and Redeemer face to face!
What must it be, to continually to contemplate, with immortal strength–glories so dazzlingly bright, that one moment’s view of them would now, like a stream of lightning, turn your frail bodies into dust!
Therefore What must it be, to explore the heights and depths, the lengths and breadths of the Redeemer’s love. To see new wonders, glories, and beauties pouring upon your minds in constant, endless succession, calling forth new songs of praise–songs in which you will unite with the innumerable choirs of angels, with the countless myriads of the redeemed, all shouting with a voice like the voice of many waters, “Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigns!”
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For more go to: https://abbeyjahath.com/devotionals