Hymns With A Message: I'LL LIVE FOR HIM

Sunday, March 20, 2016

I'LL LIVE FOR HIM

As we all know, worship styles and traditions have changed greatly in recent decades. Some of this is the result of changes in the way we live our lives today in this society. When I was growing up we didn't have much access to daily entertainment like television nor were most people working more than one job. Children didn't have all the activities which tie them down today most evenings. Life was simpler and the church was the source of needed fellowship. And so weekly prayer meetings were common and well attended. In fact in my hometown school teachers were even encouraged not to give homework on Wednesday nights because of church programs. So I grew up being in prayer meeting every Wednesday night and then later, for a few years, each Tuesday and Thursday night. I enjoyed being there. Today in most churches prayer meetings are a thing of the past, partially because folks are too busy with other things. But I miss hearing the weekly testimonies of how God is working in lives. I miss hearing how God has answered specific prayers. And I really miss the impromptu singing of choruses. During testimony time people would start choruses at random and these often spoke to my heart. One of those that I remember was the chorus to this week's choice, "I'll live for Him who died for me." As I think back this was sung by dear saints of God who had very little in worldly possessions. Many had come through the Depression and World War II. And while the term happy might not have been the best word choice in "how happy then my life shall be", these folks knew real joy in serving and trusting the One who had died for them. And their sincere testimony in singing this chorus almost every week left a deep impression upon this youngster who still remembers it decades later. The author, Ralph Hudson (1842-1901) worked as a male nurse in a Union hospital, during the American Civil War. He went on to serve with the Methodists as an evangelist, and a singer and song writer, as well as a compiler and editor of sacred music. He established his own publishing company in Ohio. This song was first published in 1882. He also sometimes tinkered with great hymns of the past, giving them a new tune and a refrain. Quite possibly this song and the words are new to you. Meditate upon these simple but actually profound truths this week and may you reach the same conclusion as the author, "I'll consecrate my life to Thee, My Savior and my God!"

1. My life, my love, I give to Thee,

Thou Lamb of God who died for me;

Oh, may I ever faithful be,

My Savior and my God!