Happy With Myself?

Vision

'O God of grace, You have transferred my sin to my substitute, and have transferred His righteousness to me, clothing me with a bridegroom's robe, decking me with jewels of holiness. Yet I daily live as though dressed in rags - my best prayers are infected with sin; my tears of penitence are polluted with pride; my confessions of wrong are attempts at earning your favor which only increases my guilt; my receiving the Spirit is tainted with selfishness. I need to repent of my repentance; I need my tears to be washed; I have no robe to bring to cover my sins; no loom to weave my own righteousness; I am always standing clothed in filthy garments, and by grace am always receiving change of attire, for You do justify the ungodly; I am always going into the far country, and always returning home as a prodigal, always saying Father, forgive me, and You are always bringing forth the best robe. Every morning let me wear it, every evening return in it, go out to the day's work in it, be married in it, be wound in death in it, stand before the great white throne in it. Grant me never to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the exceeding righteousness of salvation, the exceeding glory of Christ, the exceeding beauty of holiness, the exceeding wonder of grace. Amen.'

Valley of Vision

We read the above in church yesterday in unison. I was struck by the accuracy of myself in it. Jesus is the Lover of my soul. My own sin stuns me. I am distracted by it and it continually makes me stumble. Very frustrating. I love the reminder that Christ brings forth His best robe, no matter how many times I leave as a prodigal. How sweet the sound!