Tuesday 24 May 2016

Psalm: Psalm 130

Background

Today is Wesley Day - the day in 1738 when John Wesley had an'epiphany moment' that some refer to as his 'conversion' and thathe termed his 'heart-warming' experience.

Our passage for today is from Paul's letter to the Romans, andit was Luther's preface to the Book of Romans that was being readat that meeting house in Aldersgate Street, when Wesley felt hisheart warmed.

John Wesley, together with his brothers and sisters had beenbrought up in a devout Christian household and their mother hadbeen zealous in teaching her children the Bible, prayer andChristian responsibility. John and Charles had had their spiritualstruggles. They went to America to try to strengthen their faith.They worked hard to be 'true Christians', but somehow the assurancethat they were loved by God eluded them. Charles had a 'conversion'experience on the 21 May and John three days later, and it was thenthat they came to the realisation that what was true for Paul couldbe true for them also.

John wrote in his journal, "About a quarter before nine, whilehe was describing the change which God works in the heart throughfaith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I didtrust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance wasgiven me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved mefrom the law of sin and death."

No longer was faith something Wesley had to work and strugglefor - it was a gift of God to be accepted, a new relationship to beembraced.

To Ponder

• Look at the conversion hymns of Charles Wesley - "And can it be that I should gain" (StF 345) and"Where shall my wondering soul begin?" (StF454) and note down the images that echo this passage inRomans.

• Which images/lines speak most to you and your situation?Why?

• Have you had particular 'heart-warming moments' in yourpilgrimage of faith? Recall them now, and give thanks forthem.