{"id":25549,"date":"2020-07-22T08:35:26","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T12:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=25549"},"modified":"2020-07-22T08:35:26","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T12:35:26","slug":"worship-wednesday-east-to-west-casting-crowns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=25549","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – East to West – Casting Crowns"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Piqsels<\/a><\/p>\n

Did you ever play that game with your children or grandchildren when you asked, “Do you know how much I love you?” Then you stretched your arms out to the side as wide as you could…stretching, straining, reaching, responding out loud in a big voice, “THIS MUCH!”<\/p>\n

One day, they will transfer that memory to the picture of the Cross and the unfathomable love of Jesus.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n

The Lord<\/span> executes acts of righteousness <\/span>and justice for all the oppressed.<\/span>..The Lord<\/span> is compassionate and gracious, <\/span>slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. <\/span>He will not always accuse us <\/span>or be angry forever. <\/span>He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve <\/span>or repaid us according to our iniquities.<\/span> For as high as the heavens are above the earth, <\/span>so great is his faithful love <\/span>toward those who fear him.\u00a0<\/span> As far as the east is from the west, <\/strong><\/span>so far has he removed <\/span><\/strong>our transgressions from us.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> As a father has compassion on his children, <\/span>so the Lord<\/span> has compassion on those who fear him. <\/span>For he knows what we are made of, <\/span>remembering that we are dust.<\/span><\/em> – Psalm 103:6, 8-14<\/a><\/p>\n

For a moment, let’s rest in this exquisite truth of who God is and what life is for us with Him.<\/p>\n

Rest.<\/p>\n

Rest from the punishing news cycle, the pull of need around us, the caught-shortness we feel in this protracted season of COVID. We are going to take our rest in Him right this moment.<\/p>\n

Breathe in the love of God we find in Psalm 103. That great Psalm written by our elder brother King David<\/a> – sinner and saved by the matchless grace of God. David knew what it was to live in sin and regret, and he knew the loving promise of God who cast away his sin “as far as the east is from the west”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"sky,windPhoto Credit: NeedPix<\/a><\/p>\n

What a great truth we learn in this Psalm of David! Echoed throughout Scripture and brought to a crescendo in the life, death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Read what David says further in the Psalm:<\/p>\n

“…from eternity to eternity <\/span>the Lord<\/span>\u2019s faithful love is toward those who fear him, <\/span>and his righteousness toward the grandchildren <\/span><\/strong>of those who keep his covenant<\/strong>, <\/span><\/em>who remember to observe his precepts.”<\/em> – Psalm 103:17-18<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

As we play with and pray for our children (or grandchildren), we don’t have to give in to worry about their future. Ours is to stay faithful to a faithful God. He has our grandchildren in His sight… and in His care.<\/p>\n

Worship<\/a> with me to Casting Crowns<\/a>‘ “East to West”<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n

Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
\nThe chains of yesterday surround me
\nI yearn for peace and rest
\nI don’t want to end up where You found me
\nAnd it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
\nI know You’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
\nAnd I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
\nBut today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way<\/p>\n

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
\n‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
\nIn the arms of Your mercy I find rest
\n‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
\nFrom one scarred hand to the other<\/p>\n

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
\nTime and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
\nToday I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way<\/p>\n

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
\n‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
\nIn the arms of Your mercy I find rest
\n‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
\nFrom one scarred hand to the other<\/p>\n

I know You’ve washed me white, turned my darkness into light
\nI need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
\nI can’t live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
\nI’m not holding on to You, but You’re holding on to me
\nYou’re holding on to me<\/p>\n

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
\nI don’t have to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
\nIn the arms of Your mercy I find rest
\n‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
\nFrom one scarred hand to the other
\n(Just how far, the east is from the west, just how far)
\nOne scarred hand to the other
\n(You know just how far the east is from the west, just how far)
\nFrom one scarred hand to the other*<\/p>\n