IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A feature in which I choose a former blog, revise and edit it, and post it once again.  This particular hymn received more comments than any that I have shared here.  It was posted on January 18, 2009 and September 27, 2009

          Recently one of my grandchildren said to me that kids should be paid for going to school.  I heard that comment many times over 39 years of teaching and I gave the same answer I always have given. Your do get paid.  What you do now provides you with income the rest of your life and the better you prepare now, the greater will be your return throughout life.  Now most don't want to hear that since it is hard to labor for what appears to be nothing when the real reward may be many years away. 

           But isn't it the same in ministry?   So often God's children appear to work so hard, often without any thanks and without any apparent reward.  Ministry can at times be hard and lonely with long hours and many frustrations. Often there is criticism of what you do.   We often want to quit - and many do.  

          But a time is coming when faithful servants will be rewarded beyond comprehension.  So we need to faithfully move on with the final goal in sight.  Then it will be worth all the toil and effort - then the sun will shine through the clouds once again. As my grandfather used to say, we just need to "keep looking up!", For there will be a time, hopefully very soon, when we shall understand fully and then we will testify, as Esther Kerr Rusthoi (1909-1962), the writer of this week's hymn, has, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus". 

          So believer, if you find yourself today in one of those impossible situations of life, look to Jesus, knowing that He is with you and in control and one day soon your trials will seem so small when you are finally with Him.   

          Meditate on the words of this great hymn and be challenged to renew your service for the Lord and "keep on going on".

(1)   Oft' times the day seems long,

Our trials hard to bear;

We're tempted to complain,

To murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear,

To catch His Bridge away,

All tears forever over

In God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all

When we see Jesus;

Life trials will seem so small

When we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face,

All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race

'Til we see Christ.

(2)   Sometimes the sky looks dark

With not a ray of light

We're tossed and driven on

No human help in sight

But there is One in Heaven

Who knows our deepest care

Let Jesus solve your problem

Just go to Him in prayer

It will be worth it all

When we see Jesus;

Life trials will seem so small

When we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face,

All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race

'Til we see Christ.

(3).     Life's day will soon be o're,

all storms forever past;

We'll cross the great divide

to Glory, safe at last!

We'll share the joys of heaven:

a harp, a home, a crown;

The tempter will be banished,

We'll lay our burdens down.

https://lyricstranslate.com

It will be worth it all

When we see Jesus;

Life trials will seem so small

When we see Christ.

One glimpse of His dear face,

All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race

'Til we see Christ.

You can hear the words and music at this site.    WORTH

ALL FOR JESUS

          "And so, dear brothers and sisters,  I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."   Romans 12:1  NLT

          I'm sure that we've all read this verse often, probably in different translations.  Many of us have even memorized it.  But while we know what it says and want to obey it, unfortunately in the pressures of everyday living we often fall short.  Our finances, our wants, our vocation, our vacations, our relationships, our reactions, our daily experiences, our conversations often fall so short of being living and holy sacrifices.  But because of all He has done for us, all of our days and hours should be pleasing to Him.

          So what do our checkbooks and calendars say about our yielding "all" to him.  They are often good indicators.

          Mary Dagworthy James (1810-1883) wrote "All For Jesus" as a New Year's resolution. As she wrote her New Year's letter for 1871, she rejoiced in the effectiveness of her work for Jesus the previous year. She wrote that "I have written more, talked more, prayed more, and thought more for Jesus than in any previous year, and have had more peace of mind, resulting from a stronger and more simple faith in Him." She saw how her increased commitment to God gave her a stronger ministry. "All For Jesus" was a personal expression of her devotion to God; that all that she was going do in the coming year would be for His glory.

          When James was 13 years old, she began teaching Sunday school in the Methodist Episcopal church. She became a prominent figure in the Wesleyan Holiness movement, assisting Phoebe Palmer, and often leading meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and elsewhere. She wrote about 50 hymns, and articles by her appeared in the Guide to Holiness, the New York Christian Advocate, The Contributor, The Christian Witness, The Christian Woman, The Christian Standard, and the Ocean Grove Record.

          She opens this week's hymn choice hymn by committing herself to serving this unique Christ.  Then she commits her hands, feet, eyes and lips to perform his bidding and speak forth His praise.  Next she shares that she will not boast of wealth, fame and pleasure but will trust only Jesus.  She testifies that since she fixed her eyes on Jesus, the Crucified, she has lost sight of all beside.

          I love her concluding testimony, "Oh, what wonder! how amazing! Jesus, glorious King of kings, Deigns to call me His beloved, Lets me rest beneath His wings."  That is our  reward - a relationship with Christ who, despite our sins, despite our imperfections, redeemed us and calls us "beloved by the Lord" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). 

          May this song become our prayer, our practice and our testimony.  All for Jesus!

1     All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

All my being's ransomed pow'rs;

All my thoughts and words and doings,

All my days and all my hours.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  All my days and all my hours.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  All my days and all my hours.

2     Let my hands perform His bidding;

Let my feet run in His ways;

Let mine eyes see Jesus only;

Let my lips speak forth His praise.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Let my lips speak forth His praise.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Let my lips speak forth His praise.

3.     Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,

Cling to gilded toys of dust;

Boast of wealth, and fame, and pleasure;

Only Jesus will I trust.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Only Jesus will I trust.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Only Jesus will I trust.

4     Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus,

I've lost sight of all beside—

So enchained my spirit's vision,

Looking at the Crucified.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Looking at the Crucified.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Looking at the Crucified.

5     Oh, what wonder! how amazing!

Jesus, glorious King of kings,

Deigns to call me His beloved,

Lets me rest beneath His wings.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Resting now beneath His wings.

  All for Jesus! All for Jesus!

  Resting now beneath His wings.

Listen to it here.      ALL

SHOUT TO THE LORD

           "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."  Psalm 32:11  "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."  Psalm 47:1. 

          "Shout to the Lord" is a praise and worship song written by Christian worship leader Darlene Zschech in 1993.  It was written during a time when Zschech was struggling with money worries and the stresses of raising a young family.

          One day, when she was feeling particularly discouraged she slipped into the toy room where they kept their piano.  She put into song some biblical truths to which the stressed young mother was holding onto, in particular drawing from the Psalms. Zschech explained to Today's Christian Woman: "I wrote it when I was feeling discouraged. I felt I could either scream and pull my hair out, or praise God." She added: "The line "Nothing compares to the promise I have in you" was something I clung to when our circumstances seemed so bleak. I think that rings true with anyone going through tough times."

          The song quickly spread around the world and it was sung by many recording artists. It is estimated that the song has been sung by congregations worldwide by an estimated 25-30 million churchgoers every Sunday.  According to Zschech  I" can't take any credit for its impact. God decided to put his blessing on this song."

          On April 9,  2008, "Shout to the Lord" was the closing song on Idol Gives Back, sung by the remaining eight contestants of American Idol and a gospel choir. The lyrics of the song were altered, changing the word "Jesus" to "Shepherd" in the first line, without the approval of Zschech or Hillsong Church. At the request of the song's publishers, the song was performed again at the opening of the next show the following night, this time using the original lyrics. The studio version of the performance charted at number 43 in the Billboard Hot 100, based on digital download sales alone.

          Let this song also be your testimony this week.  Sing for joy at the work of the Lord's hands.  Praise Him for his power and majesty and love.  May He always be your comfort and shelter and tower of refuge and strength.

          Yes, there is none like our Lord!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, My Savior,

Lord, there is none like You;

All of my days

I want to praise

The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter,

Tower of refuge and strength;

Let every breath, all that I am

Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

Let us sing

Power and majesty, praise to the King;

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,

Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Nothing compares to the promise I have

Nothing compares to the promise I have in you

Listen to it here.   SHOUT

KEEP ON BELIEVING

          Are you facing struggles as a Christian?  Do you feel weak, do dangers abound?  Do you face temptations and troubles of various kind?  Is your life full of despair and do you constantly feel sad?  If so, keep believing, Jesus is near, there's nothing to fear.

          This was the thought expressed by Lucy Milward Booth (1868-1953), the daughter of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. In her teens, Lucy developed some kind of serious lung infection. Those were the days before drugs to treat such things, and it was a great worry, especially to her mother. The doctor had been summoned to their home. It was an anxious time, but Lucy was determined to keep trusting in God.

          While the doctor was speaking to her mother, Lucy went to the piano and apparently created the tune for this hymn. She also worked on the writing of the words. It was the first song she had ever written. Later, Commissioner Mildred Duff helped her with the rhyming of the words but, Lucy Booth says, "The thoughts contained in them were quite my own, and sprung from the incident ."

          Her song is honest about the struggles Christians go through in life. But there are some certainties the believer can cling to in times of trial? One is that God answers prayer (Heb. 4:15-16), and we can trust Him either to deliver us from the trouble, or give us the grace needed to sustain us through it (II Cor. 12:9).  A second confidence is that God will bring good from our difficulty in some way. The Lord is the supreme master of turning seeming disasters into blessing (Rom. 8:28). Third, we can be assured that no trial we face will last forever. There is no pain or death in the heavenly kingdom (Rev. 21:4), and with the dawning of eternity we'll also see our troubles in a clearer light (II Cor. 4:17), and praise the Lord for what He did through them.  Finally, God is God. "A God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He" (Deut 32:4; Jn. 17:17)

           Booth's hymn reminds us that God is ever near.  He is your wisdom, your might and your guide.  He understands you and knows all you need.  So don't get discouraged.  Keep on believing, this is the way.

1     When you feel weakest, dangers surround,

Subtle temptations, troubles abound,

Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,

All is despairing, everything sad:

Refrain:

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;

Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;

Keep on believing, this is the way;

Faith in the night as well as the day.

2     If all were easy, if all were bright,

Where would the cross be, and where the fight?

But in the hardness, God gives to you

Chances of proving that you are true.

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;

Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;

Keep on believing, this is the way;

Faith in the night as well as the day.

3     God is your wisdom, God is your might,

God's ever near you, guiding aright;

He understands you, knows all you need;

Trusting in him you'll surely succeed.

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;

Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;

Keep on believing, this is the way;

Faith in the night as well as the day.

4     Let us press on then, never despair,

Live above feeling, victory's there;

Jesus can keep us so near to him

That nevermore our faith shall grow dim

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;

Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;

Keep on believing, this is the way;

Faith in the night as well as the day.

Listen to it here.   KEEP ON.

Fwd: FACE TO FACE (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A feature where I choose a hymn that I have written about before, rewrite and edit it, then post it a second time to encourage my readers.  This one was first shared on January 9, 2011.

          Have you ever met somebody very important face to face? If you have, you will never forget that experience. 

          In 1984 my wife and I met President Regan on the White House lawn after I had received a national award from him.  We were able to talk to him face to face. I also was able to take a picture of him which I still treasure today. 

          At almost the same time one of my best friends had a heart attack and was taken to heaven where he met our Savior face to face.  What an even greater thrill that must have been for Paul.

           Carrie E. Breck (1855-1934), a mother of five, wrote poetry as she would rock her small children.  She wrote more than 2,000 poems during her lifetime. It is said that she was tone deaf, but several of her poems were set to music by various musicians. 

          Once she sent one of her poems to Grant C. Tullar (1869-1950) and he found that it fit a tune which he had just written the night before. The poem talked about a time which will surpass even meetings with presidents - a time when we will see the Lord face to face. What a special experience that will be - a time of rejoicing and worship unlike anything else we will ever experience.  That meeting should be the hope of each believer.

          I trust that you know Jesus as your Savior and are looking forward, with assurance and anticipation, to that special day.  Maybe this year will be the time when we do finally meet him ... face to face in all His glory ,,, the One who died for us!  Are you ready?

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face--what will it be?

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now, I see Him,

With the darkling veil between,

But a blessed day is coming,

When His glory shall be seen.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

What rejoicing in His presence,

When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened,

And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Face to face! O blissful moment!

Face to face--to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer,

Jesus Christ who loves me so.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by!

Listen to it here.     FACE

THE FAMILY OF GOD

          I thank the Lord that He allowed me to be born into an earthly family that loved and served the Lord.  For several generations my family members have modeled Christ to me.  There was plenty of love, respect, acceptance, guidance and Biblical teaching throughout my life.

          Sadly not everybody has the same testimony and legacy.  Many families must deal with differences, separation, divorce and even death.  Many children must grow up without any Biblical training.  Satan has been busy for centuries attacking families.  And he has been very successful in doing so.

          But fortunately, no matter what one's earthly home might be like, it is possible for all to belong to the an eternal family, the family of God.  By accepting his free gift of salvation you can be born into this family where there is love, respect, guidance, daily provision and an eternal hope.  It includes those of every race, tongue and nation.

          Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a very simple but profound song about this family and that is the choice for this week.  Gloria shared how this song was written.  It involved Ron and Darlene Garner and their three children, a young family in Gaither's church in Indiana.  Here is what she has shared.

       "It was the Saturday after Good Friday that Ron went in for work at the garage where he was serving as a mechanic. He was making up time that he had taken off the previous Thursday to take his little daughter for some tests prior to some anticipated heart surgery.

       While Ron was working with combustible material, there was an explosion. He managed to crash his way through the large double doors before the building blew apart and went up in flames, but he was severely burned over most of his body.

       Ron was alive but was not expected to make it through the night. Within minutes a chain of telephone calls alerted the family of God, and the whole church began to pray for Ron.  Little groups, bigger groups, in homes, at the church, over the phone. The church building was kept open, and lights burned all through the night as a steady stream of folks who cared and loved came to talk to Jesus about this young father.

       Easter morning the sun rose on a sanctuary filled with a bleary-eyed congregation. The pastor came in with a report from the hospital.  Ron has outlived the deadline. The doctor says he has a chance.

       For the Body of Christ, that news was better than eight hours of sleep and a good breakfast. New life was infused into us all. Tears of praise and joy began to flow, and our hope and gratitude poured itself into the glorious songs of Easter. Jesus lives, and because He lives, we too shall live!

       With the words of victory we pledged ourselves to what would lie ahead: help with the children, many long trips to the hospital, blood for transfusions, money, meals - long months of support while the healing process went on.

       On our way home from church that morning Bill and I were so full of the beauty of it all that we could hardly speak. Finally, we said to each other what we had come to realize through all this: They'd do that for us, too!

       It was almost too good to realize, but it was true! We aren't very model church members. The function we fill in the Body of Christ takes us away from a lot of the activities of our congregation. We're never available on Fridays and Saturdays. We arrive early on Sunday mornings to get our children to their Sunday school and church, but we can't be counted to teach a class with a schedule like that.

       But they'd do the same thing for us if we were the part of the Body that was suffering! Not because we were worthy or had earned special treatment or were indispensable - but just because we were a part of the Family of God!

       As I started dinner, Bill sat down at the piano. It wasn't long before the magnetism of the chorus Bill was singing drew me from the kitchen to the piano, and we finished the song that was to feed us better than any other food."

      

(1) You will notice we say "brother

and sister" 'round here-

It's because we're a family

and these folks are so near;

When one has a heartache

we all share the tears,

And rejoice in each victory

In this family so dear.

Refrain

 I'm so glad I'm a part

of the family of God-

I've been washed in the fountain,

cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus

as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family,

the family of God.

      

(2) From the door of an orphanage

to the house of the King-

No longer an outcast,

a new song I sing;

From rags unto riches,

from the weak to the strong,

I'm not worthy to be here,

But, praise God, I belong!

Refrain

 I'm so glad I'm a part

of the family of God-

I've been washed in the fountain,

cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus

as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family,

the family of God.

Listen to it here.    FAMILY

MY LORD KNOWS THE WAY

          One of the many interesting stories in the Bible is the Old Testament account of the Israelites long journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land.

          After four hundred and thirty years of Egyptian bondage, the children of Israel were set free.  They were on their way to Canaan, the land of promise.  The major trade route from Egypt to Canaan was by what was known as "the way of the Philistines."  This well-traveled highway would lead them directly east, then northeast. 

          God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, 'Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.'"  Exodus 13:17.  They had just departed from a land of the dead and they weren't ready to do battle with the mighty Philistines. 

          "So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea."  Instead of traveling east, they went south.  It's interesting that "the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt."  They followed the Leader.  When Pharaoh learned of their whereabouts, he said, "They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in."  He didn't realize that the Lord knows the way through the wilderness, and where there is no way He makes a way.

          "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night."  What a comforting sight!  As long as they saw the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire they knew that God was with them, leading the way.  Day and night!  The psalmist wrote, "Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."  Psalm 121:4.  The Lord provided guidance twenty-four hours a day.  "He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."  Exodus 13:21, 22.  His presence was a permanent presence.

          And for 40 years they wandered and often complained and rebelled.  But God provided all that they needed in their wilderness wandering - manna daily, water when needed and guidance and protection each day and night.

          It was probably this event that caused  Sidney E. Cox (1887-1975) to pen this chorus of personal application.  In 1908 he joined the Methodist church but soon moved to the Salvation Army, where he worked from the years 1909 until 1944, eventually becoming a Major. After he left the Salvation Army he devoted his focus to evangelical revival work. Over the course of his life, Cox authored or composed approximately 400 songs. 

          This chorus is one that I remember singing almost weekly in prayer meetings.  It was a source of strength and encouragement for God's children.  Hopefully it will be an encouragement for you this week.

          Sometimes our lives are a journey through the wilderness.  Pain and danger can be everywhere and we need direction and deliverance.  We also need daily guidance in our walk with the Lord.  There aren't any shortcuts in the Christian life.  We don't have a pillar of cloud to lead us in the day, or a pillar of fire at night.  But we do have the word of God.  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Psalm 119:105.  Let the word of God dwell in you richly.  It will never lead you astray.

          "… He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm. 23:3.  My Lord does know the way through the wilderness.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

Strength for today is mine all the way,

And all that I need for tomorrow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

Listen to it here.    WILDERNESS

Fwd: WATCH AND PRAY

           I guess I should not be surprised when I find a hymn written by Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) that I have never heard before.  The blind hymn writer is said to have written more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs.

          Fanny became blind at the age of six weeks from maltreatment of her eyes during a spell of sickness. At the age of fifteen she entered the New York Institution for the Blind, where she received a good education. She became a teacher in the institution in 1847, and continued her work until 1858. She taught English grammar, rhetoric and American history.

          She began to write Sunday-school hymns for Wm. B. Bradbury in 1864. Since then she supported herself by writing hymns. Remarkably she could compose at any time and did not need to wait for any special inspiration.  Her best hymns came on the spur of the moment. It is said that she always composed with an open book in her hand, generally a copy of Golden Hymns, held closely over her eyes, bottom side up.  

          In 1877, Crosby met William J. Kirkpatrick (1938-1921), one of the most prolific composers of gospel song tunes and "the most prominent publisher in the Wesleyan/Holiness Movement". She called him "Kirkie" and she wrote many hymns, including this week's choice, with him

          Many of her hymns were inspired by scripture.  While I could not find anything about the actual writing of this hymn, it does appear that it must have been based on Matthew 26:41, " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Or on Mark 13:33, " Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  She wrote the words of this hymn in 1885.

          Though written over 150 years ago, the words are appropriate for the day that we live in.  Sin abounds everywhere.  Satan is on the move.  We need to watch that we aren't taken in.   We need to watch and pray and keep the heart with jealous care.

          And events around the world today may indicate that the rapture could be very near.  It could be at morning, noon or night.  We need to watch until we hear the Bridegroom's voice. Then we will rejoice evermore.

          Until that day, let our lights be burning clear and bright, and may we watch and pray!

1.   Watch and pray that when the Master cometh,

If at morning, noon, or night,

He may find a lamp in every window,

Trimmed, and burning clear and bright.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

2.   Watch and pray; the tempter may be near us;

Keep the heart with jealous care,

Lest the door, a moment left unguarded,

Evil thoughts may enter there.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

3.   Watch and pray, nor let us ever weary;

Jesus watched and prayed alone;

Prayed for us when only stars beheld Him,

While on Olive's brow they shone.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

4.   Watch and pray, nor leave our post of duty,

Till we hear the Bridegroom's voice;

Then with Him the marriage feast partaking,

We shall evermore rejoice.

Refrain:

Watch and pray, the Lord commandeth;

Watch and pray, 'twill not be long.

Soon He'll gather home His loved ones,

To the happy vale of song.

Listen to it here.   WATCH

BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS -A spoecial feature where I select a hymn that I have blogged about previously, rewrie it and share it once again.  This one was shared on January 16, 2011.

          Winter here in Pennsylvania, especially in January or February, can be a very barren time. Shrubs and flowers are gone. Cold winds whip around us. Travel can be difficult. The days are short and night comes quickly. But then the return of spring provides a breath of hope as life seems to burst through once again. 

          But isn't life often like that for us? We go through barren periods when God seems so far away. We get discouraged and try to do things on our own. But fortunately, God hasn't left us alone. He has sent His Comforter to indwell us, and guide us, and teach us. This barren feeling comes because we don't yield all our efforts to Him and spend time in prayer and Bible reading.. 

          Maybe it was a barren time in the life of Edwin Hatch when he cried out "breathe on me, breath of God". I am only guessing that this might have been the case since I can't find anything at all about the background of this old hymn. And all I can find out about the author was that he lived from 1835 to 1889 and apparently penned these words in 1878. He was an English theologian and is is best known as the author of the paper Influence of Greek Ideas and Usages Upon the Christian Church, which he presented during the 1888 Hibbert Lectures. 

          This hymn appears to be the only poem which Hatch wrote or the only one of his that has survived the years. But we don't need to know much about the author or the background of the hymn to appreciate its powerful words. Maybe we should make them our daily prayer for the coming year. 

          Only when we yield to the Holy Spirit will out lives experience the life and joy and meaning that God has intended us to have. The winter of our lives will then will burst into spring.   We will experience life anew.  Our hearts will be pure and we will glow with the Spirit's fure.

          Take time to meditate upon the words of this hymn this week and make them your daily prayer.

1. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.

2. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will,

To do and to endure.

3. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Till I am wholly Thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with Thy fire divine.

4. Breathe on me, breath of God,

So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life

Of Thine eternity.

Listen to it here.     BREATH