HOW CAN I FEAR?

          Sometimes music written for children can contain profound and challenging messages which adults need to hear.  That is often the case in some of the music written by Ron Hamiton, also known as "Patch the Pirate".

          Born in Indiana in 1950, his mother encouraged him to study music as a child, and he reluctantly learned to play the trombone, piano, and the guitar. As a small boy, his family would sing often together, and the children were encouraged to make up their own parts to harmonize.  

          In 1978 a doctor discovered cancer in Hamiton's left eye requiring his eye to be removed.  As he traveled around speaking at evangelistic services in churches children began affectionately calling Hamilton "Patch the Pirate." Around this time he began writing music for children to be sung in church.  He has published hundreds of songs and hymns and written numerous cantatas, plays, and children's stories.

           One of his songs is the one I have chosen this week. It deals with the topic of fear, something often experienced by most children.  Many of the things which used to scare us as children may no longer scare us today.  But life still has a way of producing anxiety and fear in every person.  There is much in our current events that may tend to produce fear in even the stoutest heart. First with COVID-19 and now rioting and protests, who could fault a person for being a little fearful for the future?

           Psalm 23:4 reminds us that God never promises to remove all the difficult or scary circumstances from our lives. We are never promised a life of ease or comfort. What  we are promised is that God will be with us throughout the trial. Hebrews 13:5 states the same promise this way: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."   He will be right there by our side through every trial, and His presence brings peace to a troubled heart.

          And so Hamiton wrote, "How can I fear?  Jesus is near".  "Jesus is King, He controls everything."   Such a truth that a child can understand and control.   Then why can't we as adults do the same?   Think about that as you read the words of this simple, but very profound, truth.

When shadows fall and the night covers all 

There are things that my eyes cannot see. 

I'll never fear, for the savior is near 

My Lord abides with me. 

How can I fear? 

Jesus is near. 

He ever watches over me. 

Worries all cease. 

He gives me peace. 

How can I fear with Jesus? 

When I'm alone and I face the unknown 

And I fear what the future may be. 

I can depend on the strength of my friend. 

He walks along with me. 

How can I fear? 

Jesus is near. 

He ever watches over me. 

Worries all cease. 

He gives me peace. 

I'll never fear with Him.

Jesus is king  He controls everything

He is with me each night and each day

I trust my soul to the Saviors's control

He drives all fear away

You can listen to it here and maybe the tune and the words will continue to be with you and encourage you this week.   FEAR

CHRIST THE SURE AND STEADY ANCHOR

         While in this blog I have usually featured "old" hymns, there are some powerful new congregational worship songs being written today.  Among the modern authors of these are Matt Boswell and Matt Papa who teamed together to write this week's choice, "Christ The Sure and Steady Anchor". Boswell is a singer, songwriter, pastor and worship leader who has served at various Texas-based churches since the late 1990's.  Papa is also a contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, hymn writer and worship leader.  Papa has worked extensively with Keith and Kristyn Getty who are also noted for their new worship songs.

          Using the metaphor of the sea, storms and wind, this song is crafted around the idea of holding onto Christ (The Anchor) when trials are high in our lives. The first verse opens with the singer in the midst (the fury) of their storm finding them sinking. But the verse ends with the powerful testimony, "When my sinking hopes are few, I will hold fast to the anchor, I will never be removed."

          The next few verses remind us that as the strength of the tempest grows, so does the ability of Christ as the anchor to root in deeper while we cling to Him.  Despite temptation, weakness and unbelief we are assured of Christ's steadfastness.  He will never let us go.

          Finally the authors remind us how we will know the "calm" and even know it better because we have endured the high seas of life and were protected by Jesus, our eternal anchor.  This anchor is eternally firm and secure.  Great is His faithfulness!

          Now maybe you are in the midst of a heavy storm today and you feel pounded by the waves.  Or maybe there is such a storm on your horizon.  We don't need to look far in our world today to see the unsteadiness that surrounds us.  Storms happen to all of us.  We live in very difficult times and we need an anchor to ground us and steady us.  The only anchor that can do that is the anchor of hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  It is firm and secure!

          His Word has promised, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal" (Isaiah 26:3,4)

Christ the sure and steady anchor

In the fury of the storm

When the winds of doubt blow through me

When my sails have all been torn

In the suffering, in the sorrow

When my sinking hopes are few

I will hold fast to the anchor

It will never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor

While the tempest rages on

When temptation claims the battle

And it seems the night has won

Deeper still then goes the anchor

Though I justly stand accused

I will hold fast to the anchor

It shall never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor

Through the floods of unbelief

Hopeless somehow, o my soul

Now, lift your eyes to Calvary

This my ballast of assurance

See His love forever proved

I will hold fast to the anchor

It will never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor

As we face the wave of death

When these trials give way to glory

As we draw our final breath

We will cross that great horizon

Clouds behind and life secure

And the calm will be the better

For the storms that we endure

Christ the shore of our salvation

Ever faithful ever true

We will hold fast to the anchor,

It shall never be removed.

© 2014 Doxology & Theology, Love Your Enemies Publishing. CCLI Song No. 7045331

Listen to it here   ANCHOR

HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED

             At times life can be very hard.  Sometimes the burdens seem almost too heavy to bear.  You may feel like you are sinking and need someone to lift you up, but nobody does.  Sometimes you can become so lonely and need help, but no one seems to understand or care.  Friends seem to forget you and even you may not know what you need.

          But there is One who cares, One who knows just what you need, often even better than you yourself know what you need.  And He is there to supply your every need and throw His arms around you and whisper "You're not alone".  He alone knows just what you need.

          And that is the truth shared in this week's song choice.  It appears that the song was written by Mosie Lister although some credit it to Elvis, probably because it was one of the songs that Elvis often sang and recorded.

          But once again I couldn't find why this song was written.  But it must have come from experiences where the Lord provided the deep needs of  one of His children.  He does that.  It must be a testimony of this provision.

          Indeed we need to know Jesus, the One who knows our needs.  We first need Him for salvation, our most basic need.  Throughout life we need His guidance and wisdom,  We also need His comfort and hope when hard times come, and they do.  We also need strength to avoid temptations that will destroy us and we need His help to live as we should. He's our shelter in the time of trouble.   He's our rock and our deliverer. He's our strength, our God, and our King.  What more could we want?

           So if you are presently lonely and carrying a heavy burden, then cling to Him for He loves you and He cares.  He knows your needs even better than you do.  He will not fail you, even when your dearest friend on earth fails or forgets you.  Yes He does know just what you need.

         

1.     My Jesus knows when I am Lonely

He knows each pain, He sees each tear

He understands each lonely heartache

He understands because He cares

My Jesus knows just what I need

Oh yes! He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

2.     My Jesus knows when I am burdened

He knows how much my heart can bear

He lifts me up when I am sinking

And brings me joy beyond compare

My Jesus knows just what I need

Oh yes! He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

3.     When other friends seem to forget me

When skies are dark, when hope is gone

By faith I feel His arms around me

And hear Him say, "You're not alone"

My Jesus knows just what I need

Oh yes! He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

He satisfies and every need supplies

Yes, He knows just what I need

Listen to it here.     NEED

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY (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 September 18, 2011.

          Katherine Hankey was born in 1834, the daughter of a wealthy English banker. Early in life Katherine caught the evangelical concern from her father and she began organizing Sunday School classes for rich and poor throughout London. All of the royalties received from these publications were always directed to a foreign mission project.
          When Katherine was only thirty years of age, she experienced a serious illness. During a long period of recovery she wrote a lengthy poem on the life of Christ. The poem consisted of two main sections, each containing fifty verses. The first section of the poem was entitled "The Story Wanted." and it was from this part of her poem that she later adapted the words for another of her familiar hymn texts, "Tell Me the Old, Old Story."
         Later that same year, while still recovering from her illness, she completed the second part of her poem on the life of Christ. This sequel to the first section was entitled "The Story Told." From these verses came the text for "I Love to Tell the Story," Being musically inclined, Kate also composed her own tunes for these two texts.
         Her hymns received little notice, however, when used with this music. The following year, 1867, a large international YMCA convention was held in Montreal, Canada. One of the speakers at the convention, Major General Russell from England, closed his emotionally charged message to the delegates by quoting the verses from Miss Hankey's two hymn texts. In the audience that day was a noted American gospel musician, William H. Doane, composer of more than 2,000 gospel songs. Mr. Doane was greatly moved by these lines an promptly composed musical settings for both texts.
         Later a new musical setting, which replaced Doane's music for "I Love to Tell the Story," was composed by William G. Fisher, a Philadelphia musician and piano dealer. Fischer also added the refrain for the hymn, "I Love to tell the story! 'Twill be my theme in glory-to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love."
          In 1875 the hymn appeared in its present form in Bliss and Sankey's collection, Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs, which brought "I Love to Tell the Story" to the attention of evangelical congregations everywhere.

          Do we love to tell the story of Jesus and His love?  Does it seem more wonderful everytime we share it?  It's an old old story but it should thrill us anew every time we hear it and share it.  May we never tire of sharing about Jesus and His wonderful, amazing love.

1.    I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;

I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true,

It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

  Refrain:

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

2.    I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems

Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,

And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

3.    I love to tell the story, 'tis pleasant to repeat,

What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

The message of salvation from God's own holy Word.

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

4.    I love to tell the story, for those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;

And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,

'Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I love to tell the story,

'Twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old story

Of Jesus and His love.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

IT MAY BE TODAY (THE CHRIST I LOVE)

         I love it when my wife sits at our piano and from memory plays hymns and choruses that we grew up singing.  Recently I listened as she played the song "It May Be Today", also known as "The Christ I Love".  As the words suddenly came back to my mind I was encouraged with the truth that Christ, the One I love, could soon call us home at any time - morning, night or noon.  I was encouraged and my heart silently cried out, "Lord, come soon!".

          As I began to search on the internet I found that this song was written by Bea Bush Bixler (1916-2013), one of the twentieth century's most prolific song writers, pianists, and vocalists.  She made her entry into Christian music with the success of "Life Is A Symphony"  which was often included at Youth for Christ rallies around the United States.  Her songs such as "It Maybe Today", "Life is a Symphony", "I Am Not Worthy", "It May Be Today" and "The Breaking of the Bread", were featured in the song  books by Singspiration, Favorites. These songs were particularly popular in the 1940s through 1970s in church meetings and revivals.

         Bea was a weak and ill child and one day as her mother was hanging the laundry in their back yard, a neighbor inquired as to Bea's health. Her mother reported that it was poor, and the neighbor said she would ask the people of her local church to join her in prayer for the healing and health of this little one. Not long after, Bea made a recovery and became well and strong. After her healing her family began faithful attendance at that very church.  

         Bea began learning to play and to love the piano. She learned and improved so rapidly, that soon she was playing both by ear and by memorization,  She was improvising, playing in the "evangelistic style" of the early twentieth century, and soon she was playing in the evening services in that local church whose members had prayed for her healing.   

          Recognizing that she had God-given gifts in the area of music, Bea left for the Missionary Training Institute [now Nyack College] in Nyack, New York to major in piano and voice. There she progressed so far that it was acknowledged that the faculty there could take her no further and so she transferred to Houghton College in Western New York. There she excelled in piano, voice, and composition. Her grasp of musical theory was highly advanced.  During this time she was actively playing for Gospel quartets, choirs, local churches, and for college touring groups.  She is said to have written more than 450 pieces, but  unfortunately the majority have never been either recorded or reduced to the written page.

          The message of this particular song is especially appropriate today when many hearts are broken and tears are being shed.  But Christ has left the message that He will call us home and so our hearts need not be troubled.  Someday soon we will be raptured.  So be encouraged, the One we love is coming - soon - it might even be today - at morning, night or noon!   Maranatha!

1.     There is a message written in the word of God for me. 

My Saviour put it there, to ease my load of care. 

I read let not your heart be troubled I will come again 

That with me you may be through out eternity.

The Christ I love, is coming soon 

It maybe morning night or noon. 

My lamps are lit I'll watch and pray 

It maybe today It maybe today.  

2.     So many hearts are broken here, so many tears are shed 

But Jesus gives sweet peace, His message brings relief 

He'll come again for those he love the clouds will part someday 

And Jesus will break through, I'm going up are you.

The Christ I love, is coming soon 

It maybe morning night or noon. 

My lamps are lit I'll watch and pray 

It maybe today It maybe today.   

3.     This is the Christian's hope and like a beacon in the sky 

It still send forth it's light to make the pathway bright 

The dead in Christ and we remaining shall be upward caught 

Oh what a day t'will be blest day of victory.

The Christ I love, is coming soon 

It maybe morning night or noon. 

My lamps are lit I'll watch and pray 

It maybe today It maybe today. 

Listen to it here.  TODAY

KEEP ON THE FIRING LINE

          It seems to me that today the Church generally does not like to talk about anything involving war.  Our sermons, our music and our actions generally fail to portray the truth that we are engaged in a serious spiritual battle with Satan.  Often they don't seem to recognize the enemy, nor the need to fight him.  Yet he has been attacking our beliefs, our way of life. our religious liberties and especially our families like never before. 1 Peter  5:8 warns us,  "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

          In Ephesians 6:11-12 we are told to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  This is a battle which we must take seriously.

          In 1915 Bessie F. Hartcher penned a song which is a powerful reminder to believers that we must take our place in this battle.  We must stay on the firing line and be brave and fight against all evil that would come against us.  And we don't need to look too hard to see these attacks today.  They are more evident than ever.  We must be consistent in our walk with God and we must "never run, nor even lag behind" in this battle.

          And we need not fear, the victory is the Lord's.  He gives us the whole armor of God which we need to claim daily to fight this spiritual battle.  In Romans .8:37-39 we are told  "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

           Now I admit that at times today as we view what is happening in our country and in our culture it does become easy to get discouraged.  It is easy to think that maybe Satan is winning.  But He isn't.  Remember the scriptures quoted above.  God is in  control.  The victory is His.  We are to keep our trust in Him and just "keep on the firing line."

1.     If you're in the battle for the Lord and right,

Keep on the firing line;

If you win, my brother, surely you must fight,

Keep on the firing line;

There are many dangers that we all must face,

If we die still fighting it is no disgrace;

Cowards in the service will not find a place,

So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,

Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right,

Just keep on the firing line.

2.     God will only use the soldier He can trust,

Keep on the firing line;

If you'll wear a crown then bear the cross you must,

Keep on the firing line.

Life is but to labor for the Master dear,

Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer;

Great you'll be rewarded for your service here,

So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,

Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right,

Just keep on the firing line.

3.     When we get to heaven, brother, we'll be glad,

Keep on the firing line;

How we'll praise the Savior for the call we had,

Keep on the firing line;

When we see the souls that we have helped to win,

Leading them to Jesus, from the paths of sin,

With a shout of welcome, we will all march in,

So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,

Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right,

Just keep on the firing line.

Listen to it here.     FIRING

GUARD YOUR HEART

          "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."   (Proverbs 4:23-27).

          If you attended Sunday School as a child, you most likely remember singing this little chorus with all of its verses.

1.     Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see,

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

There's a Father up above looking down in tender love,

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

2     Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear, 

3     Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say,

4     Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do,

5     Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go,

          That simple, but profound chorus was a reminder for children (and adults as well) to guard your heart.  In the Old Testament the word "heart" is used more than 800 times, but more than 200 times it deals with one's thought life, emotions, the wellsprings of life, those things that motivate and mold us. The Bible calls that the heart.

          As adults we also must be very careful to guard our hearts.  We need to be very careful with what we see, hear, or touch, with what we think and feel. and with what we desire.  Satan is very active in attacking us even when we don't realize.  What do we watch on television and on the internet and on movies?  What do we listen to on our music and with our friends?  What about our thought life?   Guard your heart!

          Steve Green (1956- ) is a well known Christian music singer and writer who knows how important this caution is for all believers. He penned the profound words of this week's hymn choice.  He knew that "The human heart is easily swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion."  He warns believers,  "Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away.... as a payment for pleasure its a high price to pay."

          This week meditate upon his words and resolve to guard your heart.  Ask the Lord to give you discernment and protection.  We all need that in the world that we live in today with its many deceptions and temptations.

What appears to be harmless glance?

Can turn to romance and homes are divided

Feelings that should never 

have been awakened within

Tearing the heart in two, 

listen, I beg of you

Guard your heart, guard your heart

Don't trade it for treasure, 

don't give it away

Guard your heart, guard your heart

As a payment for pleasure, 

it's high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere 

with conscience clear

Guard your heart

The human heart is easily swayed

And often betrayed at the hand of emotion

You dare not leave the outcome to chance

You must choose in advance

Or live with the agony

Such needless tragedy

Guard your heart, guard your heart

Don't trade it for treasure, 

don't give it away

Guard your heart, guard your heart

As a payment for pleasure, 

it's high price to pay

Guard your heart, guard your heart

Don't trade it for treasure, 

don't give it away

Guard your heart, guard your heart

As a payment for pleasure, 

it's high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere 

with conscience clear

Guard your heart

For a soul that remains sincere 

with conscience clear

Guard your heart

Listen to it here.    GUARD

DEEPER AND DEEPER (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 October 2, 2011.

          This hymn is from the pen of a great evangelical preacher and missionary statesman, Oswald J. Smith (1889 - 1986). I have heard much about him, but I was surprised to learn that he actually composed more than 1200 hymns and religious verses. 

          In his book, "The Story of My Hymns", he gives the following account of the writing of this week's hymn. "Arriving in Woodstock, Ontario, one day in the year 1911, I was invited to preach one Sunday morning in the largest Methodist Church in that city. As I walked along the street on my way to the church, the melody of this hymn sang itself into my heart and with it the words, 'Into the heart of Jesus, deeper and deeper I go.' I can still recall the joy and buoyancy of youth, the bright sunshine overhead, and the thrill with which I looked forward to my service that Sunday morning, as again and again I hummed over the words. 

         I wondered if I could retain the music in my mind until the service was over, I was then just twenty-one years of age. After preaching, I returned to my rented room, and the first thing i did was write out the melody as God had given it to me. I had been able to remember it, and it has never changed form that day to this. 

         The verses were much more difficult, I worked on them at Belwood, Ontario. But it was three years later, in the First Presbyterian Church of South Chicago, of which I was pastor, that I completed them. It was then 1914, and I was twenty-four years of age. The writing of the hymn afforded me much joy, nor has it ever grown old. I still love it and always will, for it was the child of my youth. It proves conclusively that God can impart His deepest truths to the heart of the young, for I doubt if i have ever written anything more profound since. 

     There are five steps portrayed in 'Deeper and Deeper'- the heart, the will, the cross, joy and love. What an experience! But it is the note of triumph in the last verse that transports the soul to heights sublime." 

          And through eternal ages, Gratefully I shall sing, "O how He loved! O how He loved!  Jesus, my Lord and my King!"

         What more can I add to what the author has said about this hymn. Meditate on these words this week and ask the Lord to make this desire real in your life.

(1) Into the heart of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Seeking to know the reason, 

Why He should love me so,

Why He should stoop to lift me, 

Up from the miry clay,

Saving my soul, making me whole, 

Though I had wandered away.

(2) Into the will of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Praying for grace to follow, 

Seeking His way to know;

Bowing in full surrender, 

Low at His blessed feet,

Bidding Him take, break me and make, 

Till I am molded, complete.

(3) Into the cross of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Following through the garden, 

Facing the dreaded foe;

Drinking the cup of sorrow, 

Sobbing with broken heart,

"O Savior, help! Dear Savior, help! 

Grace for my weakness impart."

(4) Into the joy of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Rising, with soul enraptured, 

Far from the world below.

Joy in the place of sorrow, 

Peace in the midst of pain,

Jesus will give, Jesus will give; 

He will uphold and sustain.

(5) Into the love of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Praising the One Who brought me 

Out of my sin and woe;

And through eternal ages, 

Gratefully I shall sing,

"O how He loved! O how He loved! 

Jesus, my Lord and my King!"

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

SUN OF MY SOUL

          John Keble (1792-1866) was born in the tiny village of Fairford, Gloucestershire, Scotland.  He was the son of a pious and humble country vicar and a Godly mother. His father contributed much to his education before he won a scholarship to Oxford at the age of 15. Within 3 years of his entry at Oxford, Keble had won 2 first prizes, one for Latin and the other for his "Essay" in English. 

          Keble remained at Oxford as a professor until the death of his mother, when he went to be his father's curate at Coln St. Aldwyn, near Fairford. It was here in peaceful surroundings of gentle rolling hills of green that Keble was inspired to write much of his best poetry.

           As he took his walks in the early morning or evening, his mind seemed to be washed of all the cares of the world, and his soul was alone with his God and his Savior. In the course of time the young curate found that he had a poem for every day of the year, and his 'Christian Year' was the result. The 'Christian Year' went through 8 editions during the author's lifetime, and it was at one time the most frequently read book of poems in the English language. 

         The most popular of his hymns, "Sun of My Soul", was first published in the same volume. The hymn was written November 25, 1820, and originally it had 14 verses.  The prophet Malachi called the Messiah the Sun of Righteousness, who would rise with healing in His wings. So Keble was using a familiar title for Jesus when he wrote this poem.

          Throughout his ministry, Keble was known as an outstanding preacher and a careful Bible scholar. He wrote over 700 hymns. In 1869 Keble College was founded at Oxford University as a tribute to him..

          Upon one occasion the poet, Tennyson, was entertaining a friend in his garden. His friend had asked him what he thought of Christ, and the poet was silent for a time. Then leaning over a flower, he said, "What the sun is to that flower, Jesus Christ is to my soul. He is the Sun of my Soul." And so whether the expression was original with Keble or whether he borrowed it from Tennyson, it doesn't really matter.  As we bow our hearts and sing the hymn, we seem strangely warmed by the Sun of Righteousness.

          In "Famous Hymns of the World," Allan Sutherland tells this story of Keble's hymn: "In a wild night a gallant ship went to her doom. A few women and children were placed in a boat, without oars or sails, and drifted away at the mercy of the waves. Earlier in the evening, before the darkness had quite settled down, brave men on the shore had seen the peril of the vessel and had put out in the face of the tempest, hoping to save human life, but even the ship could not be found. After fruitless search, they were about returning to the shore, when out on the water, and above the wail of the storm, they heard a woman's clear voice singing:

"Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear,

It is not night, if Thou be near."

The work of rescue was quickly accomplished. But for the singing, in all probability, this boatload of lives would have drifted beyond human help or been dashed to pieces before morning.

          May this old poem/hymn be your daily prayer as you place your daily confidence for guidance and safety in the Lord.  May He be your companion through the dark night as well as through the busy day.

1    Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear,

It is not night if Thou be near;

Oh, may no earthborn cloud arise

To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes.

2    When the soft dews of kindly sleep

My wearied eyelids gently steep,

Be my last thought how sweet to rest

Forever on my Savior's breast.

3    Abide with me from morn till eve,

For without Thee I cannot live;

Abide with me when night is nigh,

For without Thee I dare not die.

4    Come near, and bless us when we wake,

Ere through the world our way we take;

Till in the ocean of Thy love

We lose ourselves in Thee above.

You can listen to it here.   SUN