Dear HLPC Family,
Recently, I was thinking about the security of being “in Christ” and how I often need to reflect more on the infallible assurance I have in Him. But I also was reflecting on how I need to be praying that our students and our church find comfort in that assurance. One of my favorite prayers is from the Puritan prayer collection, Valley of Vision, entitled “Assurance.” Read the words and ask yourself, “Do I relish in the sweet assurance of the gospel?”
Almighty God,
I am loved with everlasting love, clothed in eternal righteousness, my peace flowing like a river, my comforts many and large, my joy triumph unutterable, my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation, my sense of justification unclouded.
I have access to the throne of grace and enjoy the favor of a Father who always hears me.
All the treasures of a million worlds could not make me richer, happier, more contented, for his unsearchable riches are mine.
One moment of communion with him, one view of his grace, is ineffable, inestimable.
But, O God, I could not long after thy presence if I did not know the sweetness of it.
This prayer captures the heart of what I saw and experienced talking to students at the RYM youth conference this past week. It was a week saturated in the gospel– a week where students heard, saw, sang, and studied the riches of God’s grace in Christ. It was a reminder to us all that the Christian life is not one of striving for recognition or identity, but living out of the deep assurance of what Christ has already done for us. As the prayer states, “All the treasures of a million worlds could not make richer, happier, more contented, for His unsearchable riches are mine[!]”
One of the great joys I had was leading a seminar called “A Guide to Defending Your Faith.” In it, we walked through how the Christian worldview is not only true but beautiful, coherent, and sufficient to explain all of life. We explored how things like truth, morality, science, and logic only make sense if the God of the Bible exists and has spoken. One student emailed me to tell me how this seminar was encouraging for him, and it motivated him to learn more. That encouragement isn’t about my teaching (trust me, not at all!)– it’s about the glory of the One who keeps us. “One view of His grace,” as the prayer says, “is ineffable, inestimable.”
Please pray that the seeds planted this week– through sermons, seminars, bible studies, and friendships– will take deep root in the hearts of our students. And may we all, young and old, continue to press into the joy of knowing Christ and the assurance we have in Him.
In the grip of God’s grace,
–
Zach Hood