A Foretaste of Glory Divine

"No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.'”  1 Corinthians 2:7-9

One of the most brilliant hymns ever sung is Blessed Assurance, written in 1873 by Fanny Crosby (words) and Phoebe Knapp (music).  It is brilliant because it beautifully captures the mysterious love relationship between Jesus and His children.  Blind from a very early age and taught the Holy Bible by her grandmother, Fanny Crosby developed an intimate relationship with Jesus.  You can hear and feel the depth of this love relationship in every word of the over 8,000 hymns she penned.  Her life of obedience to God continues to bless each and every one of us and will forever bring glory to God.

Each day our loving Lord allows you and me a foretaste of this same divine glory.  Sometimes through answered prayer, other times through His whisper to our heart and mind, and yet other times in the magnificence of meeting the deepest longings of our soul.  There is no more remarkable or greater love in all the world!  He draws us nearer and nearer (another of Fanny's hymns) through refining and repentance only to bless us more and more—in ways no human ever can or ever will.

Notice how perfectly the words to Blessed Assurance below capture the depth of this love relationship we can each have with Jesus:


Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect communion, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love. [Refrain]

Have you experienced a foretaste of this, His glory divine?  

"And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." Colossians 3:4

Goodnight, Runners.