The Temper (2)
God's grace is sudden, unexpected, and creative, and it is necessary for a standing majesty in the heart.
George Herbert preaches about the struggle to maintain joy and reverence in God's presence, acknowledging the tendency for worldly distractions and sin to hinder our spiritual growth. He calls for God's intervention to save us from sin and to help us fix our hearts and minds on Him, recognizing His divine grace and creative power in our lives. Herbert emphasizes the importance of surrendering all our powers and desires to God, asking for His continuous presence and majesty to reign in us.
Text
It cannot be. Where is that mighty joy,
Which just now took up all my heart?
Lord, if thou must needs use thy dart,
Save that, and me; or sin for both destroy.
The grosser world stands to thy word and art;
But thy diviner world of grace
Thou suddenly dost raise and race,
And ev'ry day a new Creator art.
O fix thy chair of grace, that all my powers
May also fix their reverence:
For when thou dost depart from hence,
They grow unruly, and sit in thy bowers.
Scatter, or bind them all to bend to thee:
Though elements change, and heaven move,
Let not thy higher Court remove,
But keep a standing Majesty in me.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of God's Grace
- The Human Response to God's Grace
- The Importance of Fixing One's Heart on God
- A fixed heart is necessary for reverence and obedience
- God's presence is necessary for a standing majesty in the heart
Key Quotes
“Lord, if thou must needs use thy dart, Save that, and me; or sin for both destroy.” — George Herbert
“But thy diviner world of grace Thou suddenly dost raise and race, And ev'ry day a new Creator art.” — George Herbert
“Scatter, or bind them all to bend to thee: Though elements change, and heaven move, Let not thy higher Court remove, But keep a standing Majesty in me.” — George Herbert
Application Points
- Fix your heart on God to maintain reverence and obedience.
- Recognize the importance of God's presence in your life.
- Seek to keep a standing majesty in your heart through a fixed heart and God's presence.