IN THE PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH

          In 1984 I had the unusual opportunity to receive an award from President Ronald Reagan on the White House Lawn.  It was a thrill to shake his hand. briefly talk to him and take his picture.  I realized that I was meeting with the most powerful man in the world at that time and it was a moment that I will never forget.  But it has always been much more amazing to me that I have the opportunity daily to talk to the God of the universe and to live in His presence. He is the One who created all things, and controls all things.  And yet because His Spirit dwells within me, I can live in His presence daily. My body is His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).  What an astounding thing that God Himself has chosen to dwell in us, His adopted children.  He no longer dwells in the Holy of Holies where the High Priest could enter just once a year after performing seven days of cleansing activities. We don't need to go to another person or a particular location to share with Him.  And because of His presence, when I share with Him my love and worship and my needs, "troubles vanish" and my "heart is mended".  Jehovah is "The Existing One" or "Lord." Jehovah denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly.  And He lovingly does that to us as we spend time in His presence. The words of this week's song choice have often been a reminder and blessing to me as I've wrestled with various problems and needs.  And, He has always been there to listen and to provide just what I need.  Unfortunately, I have been able to find very little about the background and writing of this song.  The authors are listed as Geron and Becky Davis, a husband and wife team who are musicians and composers.  Geron has written numerous contemporary songs in recent years. Several years ago he invited his sister, Alyson Lovern, and her husband Shelton to join he and Becky in forming the group Kindred Souls and they have been performing together for many years.  But that is about all that I can find about them or this week's song.  Hopefully the words are your experience and testimony.  Spend time in His presence.  Worship Him.  Thank Him.  And share, with confidence, your deepest needs.  He will surely meet you there.

(1)     In and out of situations

That tug o' war at me;

All day long I struggle

For answers that I need.

But then I come into His presence

And all my questions become clear

And for a sacred moment

No doubt can interfere.

In the presence of Jehovah

God Almighty, Prince of Peace,

Troubles vanish, hearts are mended

In the presence of the King.

(2)     Through His love the Lord provided

A place for us to rest;

A place to find the answers

In the hours of distress.

Now there is never any reason

For you to give up in despair;

Just slip away and breathe His name

He will surely meet you there.

In the presence of Jehovah

God Almighty, Prince of Peace,

Troubles vanish, hearts are mended

In the presence of the King.

I especially appreciate a version sung by Damarus Carbaugh but I wasn't able to finf a video of her to post here.  But you can listen to this version this week.   LISTEN

BLESSED BE THE NAME

          While searching for a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to highlight during this Thanksgiving week, I was drawn to the familiar hymn "Blessed Be The Name" which is also sometimes listed by the title "All Praise To Him Who Reigns Above".  In singing the words blessed be the name we recognize God's sovereignty and worthiness of our praise. And I trust that you will do that this week as you meditate upon the words.  All believers in Christ have so much to be thankful for and our hearts should overflow as we thank Him and praise Him for all He has done for us.  Now when doing some basic research on the background of this hymn I was surprised to find that there are really two different versions of it.  The first version which I've never heard before contains words written by Charles Wesley in his hymn "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing".  Talp E. Hudson (1803 - 1901) took the words of Wesley's hymn and replaced the second and fourth lines of several stanzas with the phrase "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord!".  The anonymous refrain of this song was likely of nineteenth century camp meeting origin.  Some think Hudson wrote the chorus in 1887.  However, the verses that I am familiar with were written by William H. Clark (1854 - 1925). The use of the refrain with Clark's words appeared in Hymns of the Christian Life, in 1891, where the arrangement of the tune was credited to William Kirkpatrick (1838-1921).  Clark's stepmother, after William's conversion in 1873, predicted that one day he would be a bishop. He served the Susquehanna Conference of his denomination as a pastor and district superintendent from 1876 until 1919, when his stepmother's prediction came true. Meanwhile, he had been a member of the joint commission of the Free and Wesleyan Methodist Churches which compiled the Hymnal of 1910, and contributed some items to it.  While we don't know what caused him to rewrite the verses that Hudson had created from Wesley's hymn, it is obvious that his writing provides many reasons why we should praise and thank the Lord.  We are reminded that God the Father, who reigns above, gave His Son, Jesus, to die for us and to redeem those of us who were ruined by the fall.  We are also reminded that today Jesus is at the Father's right hand and His name is exalted more and more, above all names.  Sadly, to much of today's world, His name is just a curse word or a point of division.  But to those of us who have been redeemed, it is precious and the source of our hope, praise and thanksgiving.  And despite today's rejection by so many, someday every knee shall bow to Him (Romans 14:11).  May we exalt and praise His holy name daily in our lives.  The final two verses remind us of some of the titles for Christ that are in themselves a means of glorifying Him, as well as showing what He has done and will yet do -  Redeemer, Savior, Friend of Man, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Conqueror.  "Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore." (Psalm 113:2)   Blessed be the name of the Lord!  

1. All praise to Him who reigns above

In majesty supreme,

Who gave His Son for man to die,

That He might man redeem!

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

2. His name above all names shall stand,

Exalted more and more,

At God the Father's own right hand,

Where angel hosts adore.

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

3. Redeemer, Savior, friend of man

Once ruined by the fall,

Thou hast devised salvation's plan,

For Thou hast died for all.

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

4. His name shall be the Counselor,

The mighty Prince of Peace,

Of all earth's kingdoms conqueror,

Whose reign shall never cease.

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

(I can't help but add this personal note and opinion.  I often hear from folks who are critical of today's praise and worship music.  They say things like it is "7-11" music or its just repetition of simple phrases.  To those folks I like to say, look at the words and structure of many of the hymns that we have sung for years.  This week's hymn for example repeats the same phrase over and over in each chorus.  And yet it is effective and meaningful.  Maybe a better evaluation of both the new and old music is, does it honor the Lord?)

  

SATISFIED

        As I've written these hymn blogs over the years, I have often remarked that I continue to be amazed when I find hymns that were written so very quickly and yet have survived the test of time.  This week's hymn is another example of that.  Look at the quote from Clara Tear Williams about the writing of this hymn.  "About 1875, I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote "Satisfied". In the morning, he composed the music."  And the result was a hymn of comfort and assurance for all of us who have placed our personal faith in the shed blood of Christ. Psalm 107:9, "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."  Williams (1858 - 1937) was a loved and respected hymn writer.  According to George Beverly Shea, who knew her personally, "Mrs. Williams' appearance always reminded me of the classic painting of Whistler's mother. She had a regal and dignified bearing and yet she had the kindness and gentleness of Christ in her face ... Through her sweetness and graciousness to everyone, she became another wonderful proof to me of the reality of the Christian walk." The writer of the music, Ralph Hudson (1843-1901), served in the Union Army in the Civil War. After teaching for five years at Mt. Vernon College, he established his own publishing company. He was a strong prohibitionist and published The Temperance Songster in 1886.  George Beverly Shea was one of the Gospel singers who helped make this song popular.  According to Shea, "I memorized this hymn. It became one of my first solos as I began to sing publicly in my late teens ... I have always loved to sing it because "all my life long" expresses the conviction of everyone who has found satisfaction in Jesus Christ."  Shea continues, "Clara Williams' hymn is as modern as the concerns of mankind. Psychologists today refer to a person's fundamental needs as a need for security, a need to be loved, and a need to find identity. In this hymn these inner longings are represented by metaphors of hunger, thirst and a desire for material riches. Many men and women pursue these elemental physical wants, thinking that they will meet their deeper needs. But, of course, they never do. Others expect that happiness will result from gratifying the desires of the mind and the ego. A thirst for knowledge and a hunger for power characterize many men, accompanied by a desire for status and recognition. But these ambitions, too, finally become futile; as the hymn says, they are only dust which we gather around us."  Now what more could I add to these comments by Shea.  Are you searching for real satisfaction in this life? The truth is, no man can ever find true happiness apart from Jesus Christ.  If you haven't done so before, put your trust in Him today and be satisfied for eternity.  Jesus himself said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7 :37). "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33)  As St. Augustine said in his prayer, long ago, "Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart cannot be quieted till it find repose in Thee."

1. All my life I had a longing

For a drink from some clear spring,

That I hoped would quench the burning

Of the thirst I felt within.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings,

Through His blood I now am saved.

2. Feeding on the husks around me,

Till my strength was almost gone,

Longed my soul for something better,

Only still to hunger on.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings,

Through His blood I now am saved.

3. Poor I was, and sought for riches,

Something that would satisfy,

But the dust I gathered round me

Only mocked my soul's sad cry.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings,

Through His blood I now am saved.

4. Well of water, ever springing,

Bread of life so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings,

Through His blood I now am saved.

Listen to it being sung here.     LISTEN

HOLY SPIRIT BREATHE ON ME

         In the original language of the New Testament the word for spirit meant "wind" or "breath".  On the day of Pentecost the coming of the Holy Spirit was accompanied with "a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind"  (Acts 2:2).  In John 20:22, in anticipation of Pentecost, Jesus "breathed" on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit".  Based on this, In 1878 Edwin Hatch penned the words to the hymn "Breathe on Me, Breath of God."  Then, in 1937, B. B. McKinney used the thoughts and words of Hatch's hymn to pen the words of this week's hymn choice, "Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me."  Borrowing from earlier sources is said to have been a common practice among hymn writers who wanted to restate a truth in their own words.  It is said that McKinney was a large man who was "both a winsome and commanding figure, whether he was singing a solo, directing an evangelistic choir, or managing an office." McKinney's work with the Southern Baptists gave him the title as "the father of church music among the Southern Baptists."  After serving as a professor, then as an assistant pastor, he became secretary of the Church Music Department at Baptist headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.  There he edited the first hymnals used by Southern Baptists.  He also wrote the words and music for about 150 songs. In this week's hymn McKinney shares what the Holy Spirit does for the Christian because He dwells in the heart of the believer.  In stanza one the words "Breathe on me, until my heart is clean" remind us that it is God's Holy Spirit who daily cleanses or sanctifies us.  This is to make us be more and more like Jesus.  Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:11, says, "But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus by the Spirit of our God."  The second stanza reminds us that the Holy Spirit also leads us to consecrate ourselves to Christ.  McKinney wrote "Holy Spirit, breathe on me, my stubborn will subdue."  When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are under His complete control to do the perfect will of God.  In the third stanza we sing "Holy Spirit, breathe on me, fill me with power divine."  In Acts 1:8, Christ promised his disciples "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses."  It was that power that enabled the early followers of Christ to spread the Gospel throughout the known world during their lifetimes.  The very same resource is available to us today and is needed for any effective ministry.  The fourth stanza is another prayer of consecration, "Holy Spirit, breathe on me, Till I am all Your own."  What a powerful reminder as we live each day of what the Holy Spirit wants to do for us.  First, He wants to cleanse us from sin.  Second, He wants to help us dedicate ourselves completely to God. Third, He desires to give us the power and resources to serve Him and live victorious lives.  The words of this hymn would be good for us to pray and claim this week.  May He take our hearts and lives and cleanse every part.

1.     Holy Spirit, breathe on me, 

Until my heart is clean. 

Let sunshine fill its inmost part, 

Without a cloud between. 

Breathe on me, breathe on me, 

Holy Spirit breathe on me, 

Take my heart and cleanse every part, 

Holy Spirit, breathe on me. 

2.   Holy Spirit, breathe on me, 

My stubborn will subdue, 

Teach me in ways, of living flame, 

What Christ would have me do. 

Breathe on me, breathe on me, 

Holy Spirit, breathe on me, 

Take my heart, and cleanse every part, 

Holy Spirit breathe on me. 

3.    Holy Spirit, breathe on me,

Fill me with power divine,

Kindle a flame of love and zeal

Within this heart of mine.

Breathe on me, breathe on me, 

Holy Spirit, breathe on me, 

Take my heart, and cleanse every part, 

Holy Spirit breathe on me. 

4.     Holy Spirit breathe on me, 

Till I am all Your own, 

Until my will is lost in Yours, 

To live for You alone, 

Breathe on me, breathe on me, 

Holy Spirit, breathe on me, 

Take my heart, and cleanse every part, 

Holy Spirit breathe on me. 

 You can listen to it here.     LISTEN

THE LILY OF THE VALLEY

         Years ago, on Sunday evenings in our church, it was a regular feature to sing hymns that were requested from the congregation.  Almost every week one of the older attenders would jump right in with his request for "The Lily of the Valley", and, the congregation would sing it with enthusiasm.  The title appears to come from the passage in Solomon 2:1. "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."  Now I personally believe that the "Lily of the Valley" refers to Jesus.  But there are some who see the Lily of the Valleys as being typological, the Church rather than Christ.  They say that we are the "Lily of the Valley" as the "true Israel".  I am not enough of a Bible scholar to try and argue the point, but I am sure that the author of the hymn, Charles W. Fry (1838 - 1882), was talking about Jesus when he penned the words in 1881.  A bricklayer by trade like his father, Fry was a versatile musician, playing the violin, cello, piano, cornet, and harmonium, and leading an orchestra and band at the Wesleyan Chapel in Alderbury, Scotland. He also helped the Christian Mission in Salisbury, and his family band accompanied Salvation Army founder William Booth in evangelism campaigns.  Fry was buried in his home country of Scotland and a monument there in his memory calls him "The First Bandmaster of the Salvation Army."  It also includes a verse which he wrote, "The former things are past, And ended is the strife, I'm safe home at last! I live an endless life!"   We have many lily of the valleys growing and spreading in our yard.  They are fragrant with little white bells arranged in a row on a tapering stalk.  The whiteness reminds one of the purity of Christ.  The sweet fragrance reminds one of the sweetness in His ministry, especially when He gave "himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savior".  A lily is very fruitful. They spread throughout our flower beds. One root may put forth fifty bulbs. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, He brings forth much fruit.  (John 12:24)  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit".  Certainly, the lily of the valleys are a beautiful picture and type of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Fry's hymn is an old one that is rarely sung any more today.  But it contains beautiful reminders of Christ and what he has done for us.  Even if you've never heard it before, take time to meditate on the words and thank the Lord this week for what He has done for you.  He will cleanse you, comfort you, keep you by His power, be with you in times of temptation, He'll never leave you and He will bring you safely to your eternal home.  He certatinly should be the fairest of ten thousand to our souls.

    1.    I've found a friend in Jesus, He's everything to me,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He's my comfort, in trouble He's my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.
He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

  

    2.    He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He's my strong and mighty tow'r;
I've all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His pow'r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.
He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

    3.    He'll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I've nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll.
He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Listen to it here.     LISTEN