“But when he came to his senses, he said “How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (Psalm 19:7-9 MSG)
You broke something! Perhaps it was a pretty lamp. Perhaps it was a promise, a vow that you broke. Among other things you could have broken were the recent times when your behavior broke rank, so to speak, and you got out of line in terms of marching in synch with your Commander’s words, as He was faithfully leading you on you press towards the higher calling in Christ Jesus. When you realized that you had broken something; when you came to your sense, to report it briefly and probably accurately, you said “Oh!”
The word “Oh,” properly defined, is an exclamation used to express a range of emotions including surprise, anger, disappointment, or joy, or when reacting to something that has just been said or even done. When you consider the sample of examples, “Oh” was and still may be, an appropriate word to use. Note that “Oh” needs to follow a certain progression. It should progress from “Oh” to “Oh, Oh!” Sensing the mess up or the mistake, it should then progress to “Oh No!” The progression should never stop by saying, “Oh Well!” If you do that you will abandon the proper progression of the word “Oh.” So please don’t take that detour in your progression. Get to the point where you move from “Oh No!” to “Oh Lord” and do so with such sincerity that you shout out to the Sovereign Lord, “Oh, Lord, I have sinned against Thee!” The proper use and progression is not over yet! You need to keep conversing with the Lord, “Oh God, I repent from my sins! Forgive me! Cleanse me of all unrighteousness!” Keep going with the “Oh” progression, and be like David in Psalm 51 and make a similar commitment to the Lord, “Oh, Lord I will teach others by my renewed walk with you!” Or be like the “Prodigal Son,” a spendthrift who returned to His father, one who symbolizes our Prodigal God, our Father above, who is a spendthrift in compassion and mercy, and after returning, immediately rejoice with fellow believers and say, “Oh! It is so good to be back where I belong!”
Did you need today’s meditation? “Oh” I hope so and I hope you personalize it like only you can! “Oh, ” and I hope that is has ensured that you follow the proper use and progression of “Oh” in your life. Have a great Friday! This is a day that the Lord has made! Let us be glad and rejoice in it! “Oh” yes! Be blessed!
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.” (Psalm 51:10-13 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King