MY SAVIOR'S LOVE (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN  - Another revised and repeated blog of one of the great hymns of the faith originally shared on April 25, 2010.

          I admit that I often get frustrated and disappointed when I can't find much information about a hymn which is one of my favorites.  And that is the case with this great hymn.  I did find a few things about the author, Charles Gabriel. Growing up on an Iowa farm, he taught himself to play the family's reed organ. He began teaching singing in schools by the age of 16 and soon became known as a teacher and composer. He served as the music director of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in San Francisco in 1890-1892. He is known as the most prolific and popular gospel song composer during the height of the Billy Sunday - Homer Rodeheaver evangelistic crusades. He edited more than forty hymnals and helped publish more than eight thousand gospel songs during his lifetime. In 1912, Gabriel joined the Rodeheaver-Hall-Mack Company as its editor and maintained this position until his death in 1932. He often wrote using the pseudonym of Charlotte G. Homer. This hymn first appeared in 1905. Those of us who have been redeemed can join in singing of our amazement that Christ would love us enough to die for us. It is amazing that he would take our sins and our sorrows and make them his very own. The hymn concludes with a triumphant final verse that reminds us of the day when we shall sing His praises around His throne in heaven. How marvelous and wonderful that will be.  Now I still don't know why Gabriel wrote this hymn but I know it has been an encouragement to many, including me, over the years. "O how marvelous! O how wonderful!  And my song shall ever be:  O how marvelous! O how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

1)     I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner, condemned, unclean.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

(2)     For me it was in the garden

He prayed: "Not My will, but Thine."

He had no tears for His own griefs,

But sweat drops of blood for mine.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

(3)     In pity angels beheld Him,

And came from the world of light

To comfort Him in the sorrows

He bore for my soul that night.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

(4)     He took my sins and my sorrows,

He made them His very own;

He bore the burden to Calvary,

And suffered and died alone.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

(5)     When with the ransomed in glory

His face I at last shall see,

Twill be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

Listen to a beautiful rendition   LOVE

NEARER MY GOD TO THEE

       The hymn "Nearer, My God, To Thee" was written in 1841 by Sarah Flower Adams, an English poet and Unitarian hymn writer.  The words  reflect both a desire to walk more closely with God and also the longing for either Jesus Christ to return or the desire to be in His presence.  
         Sarah Flower was born February 22, 1805 in Essex, England, the second daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Flower. She grew up in a home surrounded by poetry and song writing. Sarah married William Bridges Adams and moved to London where she attended the independent church of William Johnson Fox. She contributed thirteen hymns to his Hymns and Anthems collection, one of them being "Nearer, My God to Thee". 
        This hymn was written to follow the pastor's sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, known as the story of Jacob's ladder, or Jacob's dream. Sarah wrote the hymn in a week and her sister Eliza composed the tune. This hymn is often associated with the sinking of the RMS Titanic.  Some survivors later reported that the ship's string ensemble played the hymn as the vessel sank. For example, Violet Jessop said in her 1934 account of the disaster that she had heard the hymn being played.  Archibald Gracie IV, however, emphatically denied it in his own account written soon after the sinking. Wireless operator Harold Bride said that he had heard "Autumn" being played. So nobody really knows for sure.  
          Another story, surrounding the death of President William McKinley in September 1901, quotes his dying words as being the first few lines of the hymn. At 3:30 pm, in the afternoon of September 14,1901, after five minutes of silence across the nation, numerous bands across the United States played the hymn, McKinley's favorite, in his memory. It was also played by the Marine Band on Pennsylvania Avenue during the funeral procession through Washington and at the end of the funeral service itself,[ and at a memorial service for him in Westminster Abbey, London. 
          The hymn was also played as the body of assassinated President James Garfield was interred and at the funerals of former U.S. Presidents Warren G. Harding and Gerald R. Ford, and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.  Not long after the writing of the hymn, Sarah's sister, Eliza, came down with tuberculosis.  Determined to nurse her, Sarah also came down with the disease as well, and both died at a relatively young age.  
          The hymn provides comfort for the dying and the bereaved.  It acknowledges the possibility of suffering but refuses to allow it to have the last word.  It says: "E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be, nearer my God to Thee."

1.     Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2.     Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

3.     There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;

All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

4.     Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

5.     Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

A sixth verse was later added to the hymn by Edward Henry Bickersteth Jr. as follows:[1]

There in my Father's home, safe and at rest,

There in my Savior's love, perfectly blest;

Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Listen to it here.   NEARER

YOUR FAITHFULNESS (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that I have previously featured in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge. This hymn was originally shared here on January 2, 2011.

          This is one of those songs that is made even more touching when you hear the story behind it. Here is what the author, Brian Doerksen, has said about its background. "This song began days before the birth of our sixth child, who was born in Kingston upon Thames, England, while we were living and working there. Several years before this, we had found out about "Fragile X syndrome," a permanent condition that was affecting our son, causing severe development delays and other big challenges. Knowing that the syndrome is passed genetically through the mother, and having four daughters and one son, we decided to take a 'step of faith' to try and have one more child. We were hoping and praying for a son who would not be affected with the syndrome. As the due date approached in June of '99, I found myself becoming more and more overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life, and I asked myself this simple question, "Is there anything I can count on in life?" As I began to pour out my heart at the piano, this song spilled out amid the tears with the assurance that there is only one thing we can really count on, even when we don't understand - the faithfulness of God. This song was initially used in Father's House, the Musical in London, in 2000 with different words in verse three. When I began to prepare for this recording, I decided it was right to include so I changed the words of verse three from a lyrical focus on the vision of Father's House, to a verse on our appointment with death. Actually the day I wrote the new words for verse three was the day after my car was totaled in an accident, and the day before I was booked to sing at the Seven Oaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford. That weekend one of the elders from that church had been killed in an accident, and the words about our appointment with death rang particularly true that Sunday morning. Our sixth child was a son, and we gave him the name "Isaiah Robert," which means "God is generous - Shining Fame." We found out recently that Isaiah has Fragile X Syndrome as well. The day we found out, my natural response was to resign from ministry and to focus all my energies on raising special needs children. Before that day was done, both Joyce and I felt God's leading not to resign, but to continue to move forward and minister with a 'limp', trusting God's faithfulness to carry us through." As each of us face the future, we face it not knowing what tomorrow may bring. It may be filled with pain and suffering. It may be disappointing. But there is one thing that is as certain as the rivers reach the sea and as certain as the sunrise in the east. And that is God's faithfulness. May each of us face the future knowing that as God has been faithful in the past, He will continue to be faithful in the days ahead.

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain

If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?

I don't know what the future holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die

Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?

No, I don't know how much time is left

But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

When darkness overwhelms my soul

When thoughts and storms of doubt

Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

You can listen to this sung here.    LISTEN

I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW

        As a singer evangelist Ira Stanphill (1914 - 2003) traveled the United States and Canada extensively and around the world to 40 countries to preach and perform his music. He is said to have composed more than 500 gospel songs.  Many famous secular singers have performed his works, such as Elvis Presley ("Mansion Over the Hilltop") and Johnny Cash ("Suppertime").    In 1939, Stanphill married Zelma Lawson, a minister's daughter who "played piano by ear and accompanied her parents on a local radio program."  But unfortunately that marriage ended in divorce in 1948. It is said that he wrote "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" during the dissolution of his marriage. According to acquaintances, Stanphill's wife grew tired of his ministry and left him to pursue a career of her own in entertainment. Sadly, she was killed in a car crash sometime later. The lyrics of this song aptly convey the emotions of listlessness and doubt that Stanphill encountered while going through such a difficult period in life.  During the years of separation, divorce and her death, Stanphill is said to have sunk into a deep depression. Ace Collins writes in "Turn Your Radio On" that Stanphill was driving one night when he began to hum and then sing a song. He was singing about not knowing what the future held but trusting God with the future. Upon arriving home, he rushed to his office and his piano and jotted down the words.  Over the years these words have been claimed by so many who are facing an unknown future.  But as a child of God we can face the future with the full knowledge that there is one who does hold tomorrow and does tenderly and safely lead us through whatever is ahead.  What peace, direction and security we can obtain as we walk with Him, the one who really knows our tomorrow.  Are you worried about tomorrow?  I think that often we all are.  But what a comfort it is to realize that the one who really loves us will walk through it with us and He knows the way.

1.     I don't know about tomorrow;

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from it's sunshine

For it's skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

2.     Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden's getting lighter,

Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,

There no tear will dim the eye;

At the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

3.    I don't know about tomorrow;

It may bring me poverty.

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

listen to it here.  TOMORROW

MASTER THE TEMPEST IS RAGING (TH?PEACE)

        Does the pandemic make you feel like you are caught in a violent storm with no way of escape?  There seem to be dangers everywhere and at times they, like waves, threaten to overwhelm us.  At times no solutions or escape seems possible.  Many are worried, filled with anxiety and depressed.

          I  image that the disciples may have felt the same when they were caught in a terrible storm at sea.  They didn't see any way of escape or hope.  Panic filled their boat.  But then Jesus took over and suddenly there was peace in the midst of their storm.  

          And, He can do that again in the midst of our present storm.

          In recent months we have experienced numerous devastating storms that have taken lives and caused much physical damage.-  tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding and fires. However, while those storms have produced much damage, they have generally come and gone quickly. But sometimes the storms of life that we face don't end that quickly and they often leave permanent scars and damage. None of us are exempt from today's economy, from serious health problems, from family troubles, and from other woes. 

           Recent events have led me to a song that I haven't heard sung for many years, but it was a favorite when I was growing up. The song is based on the story in Mark of Jesus and his disciples caught in a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee. But in the midst of the terror, "He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

          The author of the hymn, Mary Ann Baker. and her only brother suffered from the same respiratory disease that had taken their parents' lives.  Her brother left their home in Chicago to find a warmer climate in the southern part of the United States. For a time he seemed to be improving, but then a sudden turn in his health came and he died almost immediately. Mary Ann and her sister were heartbroken. It only added to their deep grief that neither their own health nor their personal finances allowed them to claim their brother's body or to finance its return to Chicago for burial. 

          Mary's trust in a loving God broke under the strain of her brother's death and her own diminished circumstances. "God does not care for me or mine," said Mary Ann. "This particular manifestation of what they call 'divine providence' is unworthy of a God of love." Have you ever thought the same thing? "I have always tried to believe on Christ and give the Master a consecrated life," she said, "but this is more than I can bear. What have I done to deserve this? What have I left undone that God should wreak His vengeance upon me in this way?" 

          But as the days and the weeks went by, the God of life and love began to calm the winds and the waves of what this young woman called "her unsanctified heart." Her faith not only returned but it flourished, and she learned new things, things "too wonderful" to have known before her despair. Later, in 1874, as something of a personal testimonial and caring very much for the faith of others who would also be tried by personal despair, she wrote the words of the hymn we have all sung, "Master, the Tempest Is Raging." As you face your storms of life, remember that God does care about you and He alone can give you a peace that passeth understanding. I have experienced that, have you?

(1)    Master, the tempest is raging! 

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'ershadow with blackness, 

no shelter or help is nigh;

Carest Thou not that we perish? 

How canst Thou lie asleep,

When each moment so madly is threatening 

a grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, 

Peace, be still!

Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,

Or demons or men, or whatever it be

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,

Peace, be still! Peace, be still!

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, 

Peace, peace, be still!

(2)    Master, with anguish of spirit, 

I bow in my grief today;

The depths of my sad heart are troubled, 

oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish 

sweep o'er my sinking soul;

And I perish! I perish! dear Master

Oh, hasten, and take control.

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, 

Peace, be still!

Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,

Or demons or men, or whatever it be

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,

Peace, be still! Peace, be still!

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, 

Peace, peace, be still!

(3)    Master, the terror is over, 

the elements sweetly rest;

Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,

And heaven's within my breast;

Linger, O blessed Redeemer! 

Leave me alone no more;

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,

And rest on the blissful shore.

The winds and the waves shall obey 

Thy will, Peace, be still!

Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,

Or demons or men, or whatever it be

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,

Peace, be still! Peace, be still!

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will, 

Peace, peace, be still!

Listen to it here.   TEMPEST

GOD ON THE MOUNTAIN (PEACE #14)

  

      Each of us have experienced days when everything seems to be going right in our lives.  Our health is good.  The family is well.  We are enjoying our jobs.  The bills are paid.  We have a close walk with the Lord.  On those days we feel that we are on the top of the mountain and we wish that every day would be the same.   But events in life can change so quickly and we can suddenly feel that we are in the valley. Problems overwhelm us.  We become worried and discouraged and think that nobody understands or cares.  Life in the valley can be tough. But we shouldn't be surprised when this happens because Jesus warned us,  "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." John 16:33 . In the valley, in the barrenness, in the suffering, God still walks with us and cloaks us with His infinite and intimate comfort.  God's plans are not necessarily our plans, but they are so much better! We can be so thankful that our GOD is never ever taken by surprise. He knows exactly what is going on, and He is in control.  And He is with us not only on the mountain but in the valley as well.  Tracy Dartt, a Gospel musician, had a valley experience when he was facing bankruptcy with a $22,000 deficit.  He said that "in the midst of the turmoil, I awakened from a troubled sleep one night. It was two o'clock in the morning. A tune was echoing in my troubled brain. I picked up a tablet and a pencil and began to write, Life is easy when you're up on the mountain, and you've got peace of mind like you've never known. But, when things change and you're down in the valley, don't lose faith, for you're never alone. Thank You, Lord, I prayed, for being God in my valley. The chorus came, The God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He'll make them right ... In all, it took about thirty minutes. I again prayed, Thank You, Lord, and then settled back down to sleep.  Morning came, breakfast and prayer time. Lord, show us Your will  I went off to work."   And God worked and solved their problem.  "We were free and clear, without having to bankrupt the business. God had taken us through the valley."  His simple but meaningful little song is comprised of just 72 words and  four chords but it has been an encouragement to thousands of people.  Are you going through the valley right now?  If so, meditate on the words and know that as you trust Him, the God on the mountain will not fail you or leave you

Life is easy, when you're up on the mountain

And you've got peace of mind, like you've never known

But things change, when you're down in the valley

Don't lose faith, for you're never alone

For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley

When things go wrong, He'll make them right

And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times

The God of the day, is still God in the night

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain

But talk comes so easy, when life's at its best

Now it's down in the valley of trials and temptations

That's where your faith is really put to the test

For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley

When things go wrong, He'll make them right

And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times

The God of the day, is still God in the night

You can listen to it here.  MOUNTAIN

DAY BY DAY (TH/PEACE #13)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A special feature where every few weeks I choose a hymn that I have written about before, revise and update it, and share it once again because I think it has a powerful message that we need.  This one was shared previously on June 4, 2017. 

          With the pandemic we never know what a day will bring.  Will it hit us or one of our loved ones?  Will it affect our job?  Will we be able to spend time with our family and friends?  Will we be able to attend a church service in person?  So many questions without any answers ... enough to create anxiety.

          What will tomorrow bring?  We don't know except that the Lord will be there to give us the strength that we will need.  Today He protects us and walks with us.  Tomorrow will be the same.  Day by day He himself is near us with a special mercy for each hour.

         I am often amazed at how many great hymns were written as a result of a tragedy.  This week's timeless choice is a good example of that.  It was written by Karolina Sandell-Berg (1832 - 1903) who is often called the Swedish Fanny Crosby.  Her many songs flowed from a broken heart after being with her father, a Swedish pastor, when he fell overboard as they were crossing a lake in Sweden. He drowned before he could be rescued. 

         So she knew exactly what it meant when she penned the words, "Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here." and "Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E'er to take, as from a father's hand, one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till I reach the promised land."  

         This hymn has been an encouragement to me so often in my life.  I vividly recall a time when I was unexpectedly facing a major change in my life. As I took my morning walk, my heart was very heavy. I walked and prayed and listened to the early morning music on one of our area Christian radio stations. Suddenly I heard this song being sung.  And, it ministered powerfully to my need at that exact moment - God's answer to my prayer.  Strength I find to meet my trials here ... I've no cause to worry or to fear ... a special mercy for each hour ... His protection ... His promises ... my Father's hand.  I've often sung this song when I was preparing for surgery or having difficult physical tests performed.  It has often calmed my spirit during MRI's.  

         Now I don't know what particular challenge you might be facing in addition to Covid19 today.  It is so easy to worry and get discouraged.  But you can rest in the knowledge that, "Every day the Lord Himself is near me, with a special mercy for each hour;  All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Power. The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid." I challenge you to meditate upon these powerful words today as you trust Christ to meet your need.

1.     Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

2.     Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

3.     Help me then, in every tribulation,

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

Listen to it being sung here.      STRENGTH.

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS - (TH/PEACE 12))

TIMELESS HYMN  - Another revised and repeated blog of one of the great hymns of the faith which was originally shared on May 3, 2009  

          Several times this week I have heard the words of this hymn either mentioned or sung.  It is a tremendous encouragement to God's children who are going through times of stress, or persecution, or illness, or bereavement.  No matter what our circumstances may be, including COVID 19, God's children are safe in the arms of Jesus.  Nothing can tear us away from that position of safety and comfort. How often in this life we have found comfort and safety in the arms of a parent, spouse or loved one. This hymn is one of the thousands of hymns written by Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer.  I imagine that in her blindness she understood fully the truth of this great hymn.  I often marvel at how some of these hymns have been written.  On April 30, 1868, Dr. W. H. Doane came to Fanny and said "I have exactly forty minutes before my train leaves for Cincinnati.  Here is a melody.  Can you write words for it?"  Twenty minutes later she recited the words.  Mr. Doane copied them and still had time to catch his train.  And with that a precious hymn was born. What a gift God gave Fanny and oh how this hymn has blessed millions over the years.  Today if you are facing times of fear or stress, rest safely in the arms of Jesus, the One who really loves you and cares for you.

(1)  Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.

Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Refrain

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast

There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

(2)   Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,

Safe from the world's temptations, sin cannot harm me there.

Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;

Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!

Refrain

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast

There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest

(3)   Jesus, my heart's dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me;

Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.

Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over;

Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.

Refrain

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast

There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest

Listen to it here.   SAFETY

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR (TH/PEACE #11))

TIMELESS HYMN - Another revised and repeated blog of one of the great hymns of the faith originally shared on June 13, 2010.

         How was your week? Was it filled with the usual challenges of life with some new ones thrown in for good measure?  Does the COVID 19 situation fill your mind and life with anxiety and fear?  Are your nerves frayed with concerns about tomorrow?  Are you having trouble adjusting to all the changes we now must make?
          Well probably all of us have similar concerns and times when our strength just doesn't xeem to be enough to get us through. It's then that we realize how much we really need the Lord - every day, every hour, every minute. And somehow I think that the older we get the more needy and dependent we become on His strength, wisdom and presence - at least I do.  

         As I thought about this  I was drawn to this week's hymn choice which I remember singing so often while I was growing up. The author of this hymn, Annie S. Hawkes, shared some of the details behind her writing of this in 1872. "I remember well the morning . . . when in the midst of the daily cares of my home . . . I was so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him either in joy or pain, into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me . . . For myself the hymn was prophetic rather than expressive of my own experience at the time it was written, and I do not understand why it so touched the great throbbing heart of humanity." 

         She gave the simple poem to her pastor, Dr. Robert Lowry. As he read and re-read it he realized that Anne had produced her finest work of poetry. He sat at his organ and composed the tune and then added a chorus to complete the work. Sixteen years later, Mrs. Hawks experienced the death of her husband. Years after, she wrote: "It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace." 

         Maybe this week this hymn will also be a comfort to you as you recognize your need of the Lord in your daily life and as you experience His presence, every hour, as you face the daily challenges of life.

(1)   I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(2)   I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;

temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(3)   I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;

come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(4)   I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;

and thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

(5)   I need thee every hour, most Holy One;

O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son.

I need thee, O I need thee;

every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

Listen to it here. LISTEN