Dandelions

When was the last time you looked at a dandelion? Really looked, I mean. Not just noticing it’s there and making a mental note to dig it out of the flower bed, or mow the lawn before it has had time to set seed.

I often think that if my first sight of a dandelion had been of one growing high up on a mountain peak in the Alps I would have been amazed by it. I’d have been down on my knees, camera out, marvelling at the intricacy of it! Yet it’s easy to become accustomed to something remarkable simply because it is so familiar.

Just for a few minutes, think about the Gospel. Forgiveness of sins, peace with God, eternal life, a home in heaven. Marvellous blessings.

Think again. The love of God in sending the Lord Jesus to be my Saviour, the mercy of God which doesn’t punish me as my sins deserve, the grace of God which treats me as though I had not sinned…

But all of this is looking at the Gospel from a human perspective. So think yet again. Consider that before the world was created, in eternity, the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, made a covenant. The Father undertook to give a people to His Son; the Son undertook to do all that was necessary to make that people suitable for the Father; the Holy Spirit undertook to apply that work to each one of God’s elect people.

And so the Gospel, which is, of course, about all those wonderful blessings which are ours ‘in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus’, is ultimately planned and purposed for the glory of God!

May the consciousness that we are the children of God encourage us to live always in such a way that we bring honour to Him, for, as the Apostle John says, everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)

“Ye must in all things aim at God’s honour. Ye must eat, drink, sleep, buy, sell, sit, stand, speak, pray, read and hear the Word, with a heart-purpose that God may be honoured.” Samuel Rutherford

Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.      (John 17:1-5) 

Great is the gospel of our glorious God,

Where mercy met the anger of God’s rod;

A penalty was paid and pardon bought,

And sinners lost at last to Him were brought:

O let the praises of my heart be Thine,

For Christ has died that I may call Him mine,

That I may sing with those who dwell above,

Adoring, praising Jesus, King of love.

Great is the mystery of godliness,

Great is the work of God’s own holiness;

It moves my soul, and causes me to long

For greater joys than to the earth belong:

O let the praises of my heart be Thine,

For Christ has died that I may call Him mine,

That I may sing with those who dwell above,

Adoring, praising Jesus, King of love.

The Spirit vindicated Christ our Lord,

And angels sang with joy and sweet accord;

The nations heard, a dark world flamed with light –

When Jesus rose in glory and in might:

O let the praises of my heart be Thine,

For Christ has died that I may call Him mine,

That I may sing with those who dwell above,

Adoring, praising Jesus, King of love.

W Vernon Higham