ALMOST PERSUADED

          The Bible shares stories that describe both the good and bad of mankind.  There are stories of heroes and scoundrels, victories and defeats, godly living and sinful living, hope and despair, good choices and bad choices.  But I think one of the saddest stories is the story of what happened to King Agrippa, as found in the book of Acts. Paul was called before the king to give an account of his innocence. But Paul was more concerned about the king's eternal destination than that of his own acquittal. As Paul explained his actions and what had taken place in the temple twelve days earlier, he went into his Damascus road experience, describing in detail his encounter with the Lord Jesus. At the end of Paul's dissertation, King Agrippa made the following statement addressing Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," Acts 26:28.  Almost two centuries later, in 1871, a Reverend Brundage expounded upon this sad story  and then ended his Sunday morning sermon with the words "He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost". Philip Paui Bliss (1838-1876), a composer of many hymns,was among those listening to Reverend Brundage's sermon. The pastor's powerful closing words left such an impression upon Bliss that he set about composing a song with the same sentiment.  Almost Persuaded was published that same year in The Charm: A Collection of Sunday School Music, and quickly found its way into the majority of English Christian hymnals. The compelling words have since been sung at many an alter call. Sadly, through the ages, many have made the same sad decision as King Agrippa.  They have heard the Gospel and either rejected it or postponed accepting God's free gift of salvation.  Many have said I will do it some convenient day and that day never comes.  And as Bliss wrote, "doom comes at last, almost cannot avail, almost is but to fail, sad, sad that bitter wail, almost but lost!"  I pray that you have already accepted God's free gift of salvation.  Don't be like King Agrippa.  Today is the day of salvation. Make that decision now, don't delay.   "How shall we escape if we neglect (ignore) such a great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). The sad truth is, dear reader, we won't escape!

1.     Almost persuaded now to believe;

Almost persuaded Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say,

Go, Spirit, go Thy way,

Some more convenient day

On Thee I'll call.

2.     Almost persuaded, come, come today;

Almost persuaded, turn not away;

Jesus invites you here,

Angels are lingering near

Prayers rise from hearts so dear;

O wanderer, come!

3.      Almost persuaded, harvest is past!

Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!

Almost cannot avail;

Almost is but to fail!

Sad, sad, that bitter wail

Almost, but lost! 

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

CLOSE TO THEE

          If you've ever been in love than you know what it is like to want to be close to the one who you love.  You take every opportunity to be with them and if you are away you want to call them and hear their voice.  

          And so it should be if we love the Lord.  We should want to be in His presence.  We should want to talk to Him.  He should be the center of our life and thoughts.  And this is the thought that is shared in this week's hymn choice penned by that great blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby (1820-1915).  

          Now I have found two accounts concerning the events that led her to pen these words.  In her book Memories of Eighty Years, Fanny says,  "Toward the close of a day in the year 1874 I was sitting in my room thinking of the nearness of God through Christ as the constant companion of my pilgrim journey, when my heart burst out with the words."  The author herself originally called the song "Christ, the Portion of His People."  

          The other story was shared by Ira Sankey in his volume My Life and the Story of the Gospel Songs.  He recalls that  "Silas J. Vail (1818-1884), having composed this tune, brought it to Fanny Crosby, and requested her to write the words for it. As he was playing it for her on the piano, she said, 'That refrain says "Close to Thee, close to Thee."' Mr. Vail said that was true, and it was agreed that it should be a hymn entitled Close to Thee."  

          Now I'm not sure which story is correct or if there is some truth in both of them, but it doesn't really matter.  The fact is that Fanny's words have been the prayer for believers for years.  She says that Christ is her everlasting portion.  Many times, the Lord  is described as the "portion" of His people. David says, "O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance" (Psalm 16:5). The psalmist cries, "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).   Such an intimate relationship stirs a desire to obey and please God: "You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words" (Psalm 119:57). 

          The sense of weakness, and of dependance on God, is also expressed by still another psalm: "I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living" (Psalm 142:5).  I find it amazing to realize that the eternal and Almighty God should be described as our inheritance and possession. But it is also true that the Lord describes those who belong to Him as His inheritance and possession. In Deuteronomy, Moses states, "The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance" (Deuteronomy 32:9). 

          In the second stanza of this hymn Fanny makes it clear that walking with Christ is not always easy and may require one to "toil and suffer."  When walking with Jesus, one will not partake in "worldly pleasure" or achieve "fame."  

          The final stanza extends our pilgrim journey "through the vale of shadows" and "o'er life's fitful sea", images of passing from earthly life through the "gate of life eternal." 

           Is this your prayer today?   Do you want to walk close to the Savior even though this pilgrim journey may be tough?  Just remember, when walking close to Him that He is omnipotent and omniscient. Nothing surprises Him.  He knows our pathway and nothing that happens is too difficult for Him to handle.  And He is our everlasting portion.  What more could we want?   All along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk close to Thee.

1.     Thou my everlasting portion,

More than friend or life to me,

All along my pilgrim journey,

Savior, let me walk with Thee.

Close to Thee, close to Thee,

Close to Thee, close to Thee;

All along my pilgrim journey,

Savior, let me walk with Thee.

2.    Not for ease or worldly pleasure,

Nor for fame my prayer shall be;

Gladly will I toil and suffer,

Only let me walk with Thee.

Close to Thee, close to Thee,

Close to Thee, close to Thee;

Gladly will I toil and suffer,

Only let me walk with Thee.

3.      Lead me through the vale of shadows,

Bear me o'er life's fitful sea;

Then the gate of life eternal

May I enter, Lord, with Thee.

Close to Thee, close to Thee,

Close to Thee, close to Thee,

Then the gate of life eternal

May I enter, Lord, with Thee.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

THE LORD'S MY SHEPHERD

          We are living in a society that is increasingly becoming ignorant of the scriptures.  But if you were to take a poll, I would guess that the two passages that might still be known by many would be John 3:16 and Psalm 23. "The Lord's my Shepherd" comes from Psalm 23, often called the Shepherd Psalm, probably the most beloved of all the Psalms.  This passage is often used at funerals and people probably love it because it speaks of green pastures and still waters and restored souls.  But more than that, it speaks of an all-knowing, all-powerful Shepherd who devotes full attention to our care and feeding.  It assures us of God's loving presence in our lives, both now and forevermore.  Over the years a large number of different lyrics and musical arrangements of these words have appeared.  The most familiar and well known musical version of this Psalm is that which is found in the "Scottish Psalter of 1650" set to the tune Crimond. In 1562, a collection of metrical psalms was published under the title, "One and Fiftie Psalmes of David in Englishe Metre".  Some of these had been translated by Thomas Sternhold, who died prior to their publication.  In the 1640s, Francis Rouse (or Rous) (1579 - 1659), an English Puritan, translated all 150 Psalms into metrical English.  As a result he is often listed as the author of this hymn.  "The Lord's My Shepherd" as a song has its roots in the Reformation, when Luther and Calvin, especially Calvin,emphasized singing psalms.  Calvin advised:   "We shall not find better songs nor more fitting for the purpose than the Psalms of David, which the Holy Spirit spake ....  And moreover, when we sing them, we are certain that God puts in our mouths these, as if He Himself were singing in us to exalt His glory."  Though it was well-loved in Scotland, "The Lord's My Shepherd" did not enjoy popularity outside the Church of Scotland for nearly 300 years. It finally appeared in the Methodist Hymnal of 1876 and later the Congregational Hymnal of 1916. But it wasn't included in an Anglican hymnbook until 1965. The hymn version of Psalm 23 remains faithful to David's psalm. Its popularity in England grew in part because of its use during the 1947 marriage ceremony between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Since that time, it's become a well-known hymn, often requested for weddings and funerals.  This Psalm is a beautiful psalm with application to all aspects of our life.  Let me close this blog by sharing a line by line outline that someone recently shared with me.  The Lord is my shepherd = RELATIONSHIP.;   shall not be in want = SUPPLY;  He makes me lie down in green pastures = REST;  He leads me beside quiet waters = REFRESHMENT;  He restores my soul = HEALING;  He guides me in paths of righteousness = GUIDANCE;  For His name's sake = PURPOSE; Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = TESTING;  I will fear no evil = PROTECTION;  For you are with me = FAITHFULNESS; Your rod and your staff they comfort me = DISCIPLINE;  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies = HOPE;  You anoint my head with oil = CONSECRATION;  My cup overflows = ABUNDANCE;  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life = BLESSING;  And I will dwell in the house of the LORD = SECURITY;  Forever = ETERNITY.  As you meditate this week on this psalm and on this hymn, remember that God provides all that His flock needs.

1      The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;

he makes me down to lie

in pastures green; he leadeth me

the quiet waters by.

2      My soul he doth restore again,

and me to walk doth make

within the paths of righteousness,

e'en for his own name's sake.

3      Yea, though I walk through death's dark vale,

yet will I fear none ill;

for thou art with me, and thy rod

and staff me comfort still.

4       My table thou hast furnished

in presence of my foes;

my head thou dost with oil anoint,

and my cup overflows.

5      Goodness and mercy all my life

shall surely follow me;

and in God's house for evermore

my dwelling-place shall be.

You can listen to it here.  LISTEN

if you enjoy music by male groups, you might enjoy this as well.  LISTEN2

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

        I have decided to go a different direction with my blog this week and in honor of Independence Day in the United States I will share a patriotic song instead of the usual hymn.  For my many regular readers who are not in the United States, here this holiday is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress,. declaring that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America.  Also known as the Fourth of July, it is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies.  And in honor of this day I have chosen the beautiful patriotic song, "American the Beautiful". The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates, and the music was composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward.  In 1893, at the age of 33, Bates, an English professor at Wellesley College, had taken a train trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to teach a short summer school session at Colorado College. Several of the sights on her trip inspired her, and they found their way into her poem, including the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the "White City" with its promise of the future contained within its alabaster buildings; the wheat fields of America's heartland Kansas, through which her train was riding on July 16; and the majestic view of the Great Plains from high atop Zebulon's Pikes Peak.   On the pinnacle of that mountain, the words of the poem started to come to her, and she wrote them down upon returning to her hotel room at the original Antlers Hotel. The poem was initially published two years later in The Congregationalist to commemorate the Fourth of July. It quickly caught the public's fancy. Several existing pieces of music were adapted to the poem. A hymn tune composed by Samuel A. Ward was generally considered the best music as early as 1910 and is still the popular tune today. Just as Bates had been inspired to write her poem, Ward, too, was inspired to compose his tune. The tune came to him while he was on a ferryboat trip from Coney Island back to his home in New York City, after a leisurely summer day in 1882. He immediately wrote it down. He was so anxious to capture the tune in his head that he asked fellow passenger friend Harry Martin for his shirt cuff to write the tune on. He composed the tune for the old hymn "O Mother Dear, Jerusalem", retitling the work "Materna". Ward's music combined with Bates's poem were first published together in 1910 and titled "America the Beautiful".  At various times there have been efforts to give "America the Beautiful" legal status either as a national hymn or as a national anthem equal to, or in place of, "The Star-Spangled Banner".   Now there is no need for me to discuss the words of this song, for they are self-explanatory.  However, I do appreciate the prayer in the second verse, "God mend thine every flaw" because God's mending may be needed now more than ever.  As a country we have sinned and strayed from obeying God's precepts.  As a nation we have forgotten that God did shed His grace on us in the past.  May we return to Godly principles and recognize His grace on us.

1.     O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

2.     O beautiful for pilgrim feet,

Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

3.     O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness,

And every gain divine!

4.     O beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

Listen to it being sung by a group of children.   CHILDREN

Listen to a band and orchestra here.   LISTEN

THE HAVEN OF REST

          Henry Lake Gilmour went to sea at the age of 16 to learn navigation. When the ship reached Philadelphia, he decided to seek his fortune in America. He became a house painter, and served during the Civil War with the 1st New Jersey Cavalry. During a battle, he was captured, and spent months in a Confederate prison. After the war, Gilmour trained as a dentist, an occupation he had for many years.   In 1869 he moved to Wenonah, New Jersey, where a Methodist church was organized with a first meeting in his home. He served the church for years as a Sunday School superintendent and choir director. However, Gilmour is best remembered as a gospel musician.  He was in great demand as a song leader in the camp meetings of the day. For four decades, he directed the choir at the Pitman Grove Camp Meeting, and worked at camp meetings and revivals in Maryland, and in Pennsylvania. In addition, he was a frequent visitor to the Ocean Grove Camp in New Jersey, and through these activities gained personal acquaintance with many writers and composers of gospel hymns. Gilmour himself wrote many gospel songs and published more than 16 song compilations.  The most familiar song of Henry Gilmour's today is The Haven of Rest. In it he pictures the sinner seeking a safe harbor, and he presents the Lord Jesus Himself as that harbor.   "The Haven of Rest" was likely produced in 1889. The tune (Haven of Rest) was composed by George D. Moore. Though it cannot be verified, since Henry had spent weeks on the open sea, and the campground was on the ocean, the nautical metaphor makes sense.  In the first verse of this hymn Gilmour pictures the soul as being in exile on life's sea.  Many people we know are in that condition today, burdened and distressed with the load of sin, needing the safe haven.  And so were we until we yielded to Jesus and entered the haven.  In the second verse the soul is pictured as yielding to the Lord.  The third verse shows the yielded soul giving praise to the Lord, as we who are saved should be doing today.   In the fourth verse the soul is at rest and secure with the Lord while in the fifth we see the resting soul calling to others.  If your soul has never entered the haven of rest, now is the time to do so.  The Savior patiently waits and will save by His power divine.  "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  Hebrews 6:19. "I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest," I'll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep. In Jesus I'm safe evermore." 

1     My soul in sad exile was out on life's sea,

So burdened with sin and distressed,

Till I heard a sweet voice, saying, "Make Me your choice";

And I entered the "Haven of Rest"!

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

2     I yielded myself to His tender embrace,

In faith taking hold of the Word,

My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul;

The "Haven of Rest" is my Lord. 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

3     The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,

Has been the old story so blest,

Of Jesus, who'll save whosoever will have

A home in the "Haven of Rest." 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

4     How precious the thought that we all may recline,

Like John, the beloved so blest,

On Jesus' strong arm, where no tempest can harm,

Secure in the "Haven of Rest." 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

5     Oh, come to the Savior, He patiently waits

To save by His power divine;

Come, anchor your soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

And say, "My Beloved is mine." 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

A CHRISTIAN HOME

          Father's Day and Mother's Day are two special days set aside to honor our parents.  But in reality, our parents should be honored every day.  Several times we read in the Bible that we are to honor our parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."  (Ephesians 6:1-3)   If you have grown up in a home where God was really first, you are blessed and you should continually be thankful for this.  Mothers and Fathers who are obedient to the Lord and who build a Christian home are special.  There is a little known hymn, "A Christian Home" that is a prayer for homes built upon the Saviour. It has generally been forgotten in churches today but should be brought back as a challenge and reminder. The words were written by Barbara B. Hart in 1965.  I have been unable to find anything about her except that she was born in 1916.  The music score was originally composed by the Finish composer Jean Sibelius.   "Children are a heritage from the LORD" (Psalm 127:3). And the home is to provide an atmosphere of loving acceptance and care, where parents diligently "train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6).   This hymn is a prayer for Christian husbands and wives to express the kind of commitment Joshua did, long ago, when he said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).  The Bible warns, "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1).  There is really nothing that I could add to the words of this hymn. They are self explanatory.  This should be the desire of every parent.  If you have grown up in such a home, thank the Lord for it.  If you are a parent, make this the prayer and goal for your home.  If this has not been the goal for your home, then start today to honor the Lord, even if your children are already grown and out of your home. It is never too late to start. And, by the way, if your parents are still alive, give them a call today and show your love and honor for them.  And meditate upon the words of this prayer this week.

O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,

Where Christ is Head, and Counselor and Guide;

Where ev'ry child is taught His love and favor

And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified:

How sweet to know that tho' his footsteps waver

His faithful Lord is walking by his side!

O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,

Who always place their hope and trust in Him;

Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers,

Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim;

A home where each finds joy in serving others,

And love still shines, tho' days be dark and grim.

O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master,

The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung;

Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster,

And praise is natural speech to ev'ry tongue;

Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster,

And Christ sufficient is for old and young.

O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever!

We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care;

Their bonds of love no enemy can sever

If Thou art always Lord and Master there:

Be Thou the center of our least endeavor:

Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE

          I always knew that as we approached the latter days that Christianity would be challenged and believers would be mocked and persecuted for their beliefs.  But I guess that I never thought it would happen this soon, especially in the United States of America.  But today the culture is challenging all that we believe and believers are being mocked and even persecuted for standing for Biblical truths.  Satan is alive and well and is on the attack.  The truth of Ephesians 6:13 becomes more vital each day.  "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground."  And yet so many believers just sit back hoping that this will pass and nothing will change for them.   But centuries ago Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788) tried to wake up believers and challenge them to put on the full armor of God to stand against Satan.  In 1747 he wrote "Soldiers of Christ, Arise", originally calling it "The Whole Armor of God, Ephesians VI.". At the time, Charles and his brother John had become leaders of the movement known as Methodism. The Church of England did not approve of the Methodists, however, and those associated with Methodism were persecuted. Their houses were vandalized. And even worse, Methodists were sometimes threatened, stoned, mauled, and dragged through the streets. Given the threatening environment that most Methodists faced, Wesley no doubt thought of very real battles as he wrote "Soldiers of Christ, Arise." Yet the hymn refers to more than just physical warfare, its more important theme refers to the spiritual warfare that all Christians face. As followers of Christ, we must put on the full armor of God and always be ready to battle Satan's forces. The original lengthy hymn contained sixteen verses, each with eight lines. In John Wesley's Collection of Hymns for the People Called Methodists, published in 1780, only twelve stanzas appeared, divided into three separate parts. Various arrangements of these twelve stanzas are used in churches today. The three-stanza version commonly used today dates from 1847.  This hymn also became known as "The Christian's bugle blast" because of the military references and the apparent call to arms. Charles Wesley has often been called the "Bard of Methodism." His prominence in hymn writing may be judged from the fact that in the "Wesleyan Hymn Book," 623 of the 770 hymns were written by him. He also published more than thirty poetical works, written either by himself alone, or in conjunction with his brother. The number of his separate hymns is said to be at least five thousand.  But this particular hymn of his, even though written centuries ago, is a powerful reminder to those of us living today that we need to equip ourselves with God's armor and face the attacks of Satan in the strength which God supplies.  As the battle gets more intense, we have the assurance that victory over Satan and today's culture is assured.  Believers, it is time to wake up, arise and put your armor on.  The battle is at hand.

1.    Soldiers of Christ arise, 

And put your armor on, 

Strong in the strength which God supplies 

Thru his eternal Son; 

Strong in the Lord of Hosts, 

And in his mighty power, 

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts 

Is more than conqueror. 

2.    Stand then in his great might, 

With all his strength endued, 

But take to arm you for the fight 

The panoply of God; 

From strength to strength go on, 

Wrestle and fight and pray, 

Tread all the powers of darkness down 

And win the well-fought day. 

3.     Leave no unguarded place,

No weakness of the soul.

Take every virtue, every grace

And fortify the whole.

That having all things done, 

And all your conflicts passed, 

Ye may o'ercome thru Christ alone 

And stand complete at last. 

You can listen to this hymn here.  LISTEN

LEAD ON O KING ETERNAL

        This is the season for graduations.  Two of my grandsons will graduate this year, one from college and one from high school.  Ceremonies will be held with guest speakers who will give the graduates all sorts of advice that, unfortunately, will soon be forgotten.  As a graduate and a former school teacher I have sat through over 40 such ceremonies and yet I can't recall anything significant from any of the speeches that I have heard.  Seldom is anything said that will be remembered by the graduates years later.  But there was at least one graduation where that probably wasn't the case.  It was 1887 and Ernest Shurtleff (1862-1917) was about to graduate from Andover Seminary.  His classmates recognized his poetic ability shortly before graduation and approached Shurtleff with this request. "Ernest, why don't you write our class poem.  After all, you have already published two volumes of poetry. What's the use of having a distinguished author in the class if he cannot rise to the occasion and do his class the honor of writing a good poem just for them?"  Shurtleff answered "Let's make it a hymn that we can all sing. We've been spending days of preparation here at seminary. Now the day of march has come and we must go out to follow the leadership of the King of kings, to conquer the world under His banner." Although the metaphors and expressions in this hymn were intended to challenge the graduating class of 1887 at Andover Seminary, the truths of this hymn have challenged the world in the many decades following that graduation.  This hymn is really a prayer, a prayer for God's guidance.  It speaks of marching and "fields of conquest" and "battle song", not because it celebrates war, but because it acknowledges the daily struggle in which God's people must engage against evil. We are in a spiritual battle that is growing more intense.  Our victory will come only as we follow the lead of our King.   We look forward to the celebration of victory, not with clashing swords and stirring drums, but as we demonstrate and share His love, show mercy to others, and follow His leading, equipped with our spiritual armor.  The hymn acknowledges the reality of the cross and celebrates the reality of the crown, the reward for those who are faithful.  And it closes, "Lead on, O God of might!"  May we be faithful to Him in these difficult days as we follow the the leading of our King, our God of might.

(1)     Lead on, O King eternal,

The day of march has come;

Henceforth in fields of conquest

Thy tents shall be our home.

Through days of preparation

Thy grace has made us strong;

And now, O King eternal,

We lift our battle song.

(2)     Lead on, O King eternal,

Till sin's fierce war shall cease,

And holiness shall whisper

The sweet amen of peace.

For not with swords' loud clashing,

Nor roll of stirring drums;

With deeds of love and mercy

The heavenly kingdom comes.

(3)     Lead on, O King eternal,

We follow, not with fears,

For gladness breaks like morning

Where'er Thy face appears.

Thy cross is lifted over us,

We journey in its light;

The crown awaits the conquest;

Lead on, O God of might.

Listen to it here.  LISTEN 1

Here is another rendition by a group of young people.   LISTEN 2

IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST I GLORY

          My blog readers from the United States will know that this weekend we in the US are celebrating Memorial Day, a federal holiday for remembering the people who died while serving in our armed forces. This holiday, which originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War, is now observed every year on the last Monday of May.  Many people will visit cemeteries and memorials this weekend to honor those who died to win and preserve our freedoms. Many volunteers will place American flags on the graves of those who died while serving.  And while we are thankful for those who served and gave their lives for us, there is a more important death that we should remember each day of our lives - the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.  He died that we might be saved, be forgiven and set free from our sins and have the hope of an eternal life with Him. Centuries ago the Apostle Paul shared this challenge in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."  It was this verse that Sir John Bowring (1792-1872) apparently had in mind when he penned the words of this week's hymn choice in 1825.  It is said that Bowring possessed at an early age a remarkable power of attaining languages. He could speak fluently in 22 languages and converse in almost a hundred more  He became editor of "The Westminster Review" in 1825, and was elected to Parliament in 1835. In 1849, he was appointed Consul at Canton, and in 1854, was made Governor of Hong Kong,.  He received the honor of knighthood. Tradition says that Bowring was sailing past the coast of Macao, China. On the shore were the remains of an old, fire gutted church. Above the ruins, he saw the church's cross still standing, and this image, and Galatians 6:14, provided the inspiration for his hymn.  Incidentally, the title of this hymn was carved on Bowring's tombstone.  Much has happened in this world since these words were penned nearly two centuries ago, but the impact and power of the cross of Christ still stands.  Men of all nations have tried their own ways to find power, hope, peace and understanding.  But all have failed and their futile efforts have become the wrecks of time.  But Christ, through His sacrifice on the Cross and his resurrection from the dead, alone is the only way to freedom, peace and hope.  He alone can change lives. He and His power are the same yesterday, today and forever.  May we recognize and celebrate that each day of our lives.

1.     In the cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o'er the wrecks of time;

All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

2.    When the woes of life o'ertake me,

Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,

Never shall the cross forsake me,

Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

3.     When the sun of bliss is beaming

Light and love upon my way,

From the cross the radiance streaming

Adds more luster to the day.

4.     Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,

By the cross are sanctified;

Peace is there that knows no measure,

Joys that through all time abide.

5.    In the cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o'er the wrecks of time;

All the light of sacred story

Gathers round its head sublime.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN