take my hand - Disciples Path Ministry

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Let Me Take Your Hand Jesus

In my research, I continue to find “gems” which profoundly resonate within me. For instance, I would often question whether I truly believe Christ Jesus would ever allow a sinner, a wretch, like me to take His hand. One day, while studying, I came across the sermon Come, Poor, Lost, Undone Sinner by George Whitefield that he delivered on September 13, 1741. It would appear even George Whitefield wondered the same thing about himself. The sermon is wonderful and I hope you will read it, however, while I read it an odd thought crossed my mind. If you just read the sermon, I would like to point out a particular part that caught my attention. It was written; "I was long myself deceived with a form of godliness, and I know what it is to be a factor for the devil, to be led captive by the devil at his will, to have the kingdom of the devil in my heart; and I hope I can say, through free grace, I know what it is to have the kingdom of God erected in me. It is God's goodness that such a poor wretch as I am converted; though sometimes when I am speaking of God's goodness I am afraid he will strike me down dead."
 
What immediately caught my attention was where Whitefield wrote I am afraid he will strike me down dead. As you will notice the word, "he" is in lowercase. At first, I imagined the word he was meant to be capitalized therefore meaning Whitefield was afraid He (God) might strike him down dead. Upon further reflection, I entertained the possibility that the word he was intentional as the word he, in lowercase, would be referring to Satan. I spent many hours reflecting on the difference in the meaning of the sentence if the lowercase was intentional. Also, I wondered what effect the statement would have when spoken and heard as opposed to being read by those able to read.

After some time and reflection, I decided it would be best to put the question on a back shelf in order to unpack those thoughts again at another time. I returned to Whitefield's sermon and continued to read. Even though I had put the uppercase/lowercase dilemma on the back shelf, I could sense the issue was still affecting my reading, thinking, and comprehension of the sermon. The uppercase/lowercase dilemma adds an odd dimension to ponder at the end of Whitefield's sermon.

The conclusion states, "Come, poor, lost, undone sinner, come just as you are to Christ, and say, “if I be damned, I will perish at the feet of Jesus Christ, where never one perished yet." I am so very grateful to God for His unimaginable love.

                                                                                                                                                 Disciples Path Ministry - St. Augustine, Florida
U.S.A.
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