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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 7, NUMBER 33, AUGUST 19, 2007 I WILL NOT DENY THEE “I will not deny Thee” That’s what Peter said, And the words of this great man of God, Keep ringing in my head. Later on that selfsame night, Peter did that very thing. “I do not know the man!” Through the ages those words still ring. All was not lost for Peter On that fateful night. For when the Lord turned and looked at him, Peter wept with all his might. “I will not deny Thee.” It repeats inside my head. For though I have not said the words, I’ve done the deed instead. Jesus left me an example, In His steps I am to tread, But I have not always done that, Even in the things I’ve said. “I will not deny Thee!” Oh, no, not me. But I have done that very thing, With what I’ve allowed my eyes to see. “Love your enemies” Seek their greatest good, I have not always done that, Even when I could. “Father, forgive them,” From the cross our Lord did say. But what of me, I ask myself, Have I always thought that way? “I will not deny Thee.” To keep those words I do intend. But there are days the cock crows for me, And I know I’ve failed again. You said to clothe the naked And to feed the hungry too. At times I’ve turned my back on those in need, And You said I did it unto You. “I will not deny Thee.” Oh Lord, help me to those words to cling. And when I fail to do so, Help me my contrite heart to bring. I love You, this I know, And in my heart I’ll strive to be, One who lives as well as says, “I will not deny Thee.” Greg Litmer I believe that denial comes in many shapes and sizes and is one of the most insidious works of Satan in that he tempts us to do it and then seeks to blind our eyes to what we have done. I know that it is summer and over the last few months so many people have done so much traveling and vacationing that there are always a number of members gone. But I don’t believe that it has always been vacationing or travel that has kept some from coming. It is possible to allow other things to supplant the Lord as the absolute Number One in our lives; and when we do that, we are denying Him as our Lord. Work can do it, fun can do it, and “sickness” can do it. I have always believed, and will go to my grave believing, that if I am well enough to go to work, I am well enough to go to services. I have always believed, and will go to my grave believing, that if I can find the time for recreation, I can find the time to attend all of the services of the Lord’s church. I have always believed, and will go to my grave believing, that people find the time to do the things they really want to do and that it is an excellent barometer of what is truly Number One in a person’s heart. Let’s make certain that each of us never finds ourselves to be one of the “spiritually sick” people who have “chosen not to be with us” that are so frequently mentioned in prayers. We are talking about worshipping God and studying His word together. What is more important than that?
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