Hymns With A Message: HE LIVES!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

HE LIVES!

Happy Resurrection Day! Today is certainly the greatest day of celebration for all Christians. And I invite you today to join with me in joyfully proclaiming "He Lives". What a wonderful, exciting experience to serve the risen Savior and thank him for the great sacrifice that He made for us. Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960) was a talented and trained musician who played the piano and the cello. He graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. He served as pastor in several states of the United States, and worked for a few years with evangelist Billy Sunday and the Rodeheaver Music Company. Ackley's musical endeavors were so appreciated that he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree by John Brown University in Arkansas. He wrote lyrics and/or music for more than 1,500 religious and secular songs. Once while preaching during an evangelistic crusade, a young man is said to have asked, "Why should I worship a dead Jew?" Ackley stated, "HE LIVES! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands." That evening the young man gave his heart to Christ. Later Ackley sat down at the piano and voiced that conclusion in song. He says, "The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily". And for years this hymn has been a hymn of triumph for all believers. Thank God that because He conquered the grave we can know Him as our Savior. And He is present with us all the time to walk and talk with us. While many religions worship dead leaders, we worship the one who is risen and alive. May that reality thrill your hearts daily, but especially during this Easter season.

(1) I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and He talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

He lives, He live, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart.

(2) In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;