I Will Not Be Analysed, I will Be Adored

These are the words theologian John Piper felt he heard God say to him at a key moment in his life. They are worthy of further consideration:

"I will not simply be analyzed, I will be adored. I will not simply be pondered, I will be proclaimed. My sovereignty is not simply to be scrutinized, it is to be heralded. It is not grist for the mill of controversy, it is gospel for sinners who know that their only hope is the sovereign triumph of God’s grace over their rebellious will."

With thanks to adrianwarnock.com for the quote

Amazing Grace

The ship was breaking up. It was all he could do to hold on. Huge waves were crashing in. Parts of the planking on the starboard side were already smashed beyond recognition. The pumps were working flat out. Rocks were ahead and the sun was going down. The year 1748 looked to be the last year this young man would see.

It’s then that he prayed. Here he was, a slave trader, murderer. An atheist, an unbeliever; worse, someone that had spoken openly of his hatred of Christians. And he was praying. ‘Lord God, save us. Have mercy’…..

Twenty years later, John Newton sat in his study, next to the fire. It was a cold night. The wind was blowing so strongly, he felt it through the window frame, bringing back vivid memories of that night so long ago. How God had answered that prayer. Amazing.

Slowly he got up and moved over to his desk. Picking up a pen, he dipped it in ink and began to write…

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.

John Newton’s incredible story can be read in ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Pollock.