OUR GREAT SAVIOR (JESUS WHAT A FRIEND TO SINNERS)

          "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable " (Psalm 145:3).  Unsearchable - beyond our ability to fully comprehend. And because of His greatness, He is surely deserving of great praise, thanksgiving, and worship.   This week's  hymn of adoration reminds us that He is a great and true friend to sinners. It also reminds us that He is our strength in our weakness.  "Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing, He, my strength, my vict'ry wins."  And He is our guide and keeper no matter how bad our storms of life may be. "Storms about me, night o'ertakes me, He, my pilot, hears my cry."  How precious is the truth that "I am His, and He is mine."  "Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end."  Hallelujah, what a Savior!   These words were penned in 1910 by J. Wilbur Chapman (1859 - 1918), a Presbyterian evangelist in the late 19th century.  Chapman took on several pastorates before shifting to the evangelistic circuit. He began preaching with D. L. Moody in 1893, as well as leading many evangelistic events of his own. Among Chapman's disciples on the evangelistic circuit was Billy Sunday.  In late 1895, he was appointed Corresponding Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assembly's Committee on Evangelism, overseeing the activities of 51 evangelists in 470 cities. In 1904, Chapman began work on an evangelistic campaign to maximize the efforts of his field evangelists and result in more converts. The testing ground for his theories was Pittsburgh, which he divided into nine zones in which simultaneous tent meetings would be occurring. Syracuse, New York was the second city in the campaign, meeting with a satisfactory level of success.  in 1907, he joined forces with popular gospel singer Charles McCallon Alexander to launch the "Chapman-Alexander Simultaneous Campaign."  The duo assembled an impressive team of evangelists and song leaders and took to the streets. Their first joint campaign was held in Philadelphia from March 12 to April 19, 1908. They partitioned the city into 42 sections covered by 21 evangelist-musicians teams. They spent three weeks on each half of the city, resulting in approximately 8,000 conversions. Chapman was also heavily involved in the promoting of religious summer conferences. He was at one point the director of the Winona Lake Bible Conference in Indiana and also helped to establish Bible conferences in Montreat, North Carolina and the Stony Brook Assembly summer conferences on Long Island.  It is said that he never spared himself, and he suffered at least thirteen serious breakdowns in his health from 1902 on. These sick spells and surgical operations laid him aside for extended periods during the latter years of his life. He died a few days after a gallstone operation, his third operation in the last two years of his life.  While I have been able to find considerable information about his life as a pastor and evangelist, I have found very little about his work writing hymns. In addition to this hymn he is also credited with writing "One Day" and "Tis Jesus".  But I have found nothing about what led him to write this hymn.  We can only assume that the words came from his personal experience and walk with the Lord. From this he could write that the Savior is our Friend who loves us, who provides His child with strength, protection, and comfort when we need it. He is also our Guide and Keeper in the storms of life.  Hopefully this, too, has been your experience.  If it isn't, then receive Jesus as your Savior today and you will find "more than all in Him".  And if He is your Savior. then rejoice and thank Him for "saving, helping, keeping, loving" and being with you to the end.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

1    Jesus! what a friend for sinners!

Jesus! lover of my soul;

Friends may fail me, foes assail me,

He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end.

2    Jesus! what a strength in weakness!

Let me hide myself in Him;

Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,

He, my strength, my vict'ry wins. 

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end

3    Jesus! what a help in sorrow!

While the billows o'er me roll,

Even when my heart is breaking,

He, my comfort, helps my soul. 

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end

4    Jesus! what a guide and keeper!

While the tempest still is high,

Storms about me, night o'ertakes me,

He, my pilot, hears my cry. 

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end

5    Jesus! I do now receive Him,

More than all in Him I find,

He hath granted me forgiveness,

I am His, and He is mine. 

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Hallelujah! what a friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving,

He is with me to the end

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN1

If you enjoy male groups, here is a great rendition by a high school male ensemble.   LISTEN2

WHEN HE COMETH (JEWELS)

         William Orcutt Cushing (1823-1902), who signed his name to his hymns simply "W. O. Cushing," wrote a large number of songs that especially found wide popularity in Sunday schools. Born in Massachusetts, at the age of eighteen years he decided to prepare for the ministry, feeling that he had a call from God to that work.  For many years he did serve as a pastor in various churches.  But, after the death of his wife, creeping paralysis attacked him, and he was compelled to retire from the ministry.   After being incapacitated for active ministerial work, his prayer was, "Lord, still give me something to do for Thee!" In answer to this prayer he was permitted to write many of the world's best known gospel poems such as "Ring the Bells of Heaven", "Follow On," and "Hiding in Thee." These were set to music by some of the most distinguished composers of this country.  One of these poems was this week's hymn choice, often called the "Jewel Song".  It was written in 1856 and put to music by George F. Root in 1866. It was written by Pastor Cushing specifically for the children in his church's Sunday School. However, other than the first line of verse three, there's no particular focus on children. It's a hymn we all can sing and apply. The Lord Jesus called His disciples "little children" (John. 13:33).  The text is based on a couple of Old Testament passages. One is Malachi 3:16-17, which says, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.'"  An interesting story is told about the spread of this hymn.  A minister, once returning from Europe on a British steamer, visited the steerage and proposed a song service there. The steerage was the lower deck of a ship, where the cargo was stored above the closed hold. In the late 19th and early 20th century, steamship steerage decks were used to provide the lowest cost and lowest class of travel. The minister started the song service with this "jewel song." There were hundreds  there from all parts of Europe.  Mr. Root's melody was at once caught up by the immigrants, and they soon learned the hymn, which was sung by these men and women of all nations during the rest of the voyage. When at Quebec they took their trains for their journeys to their new homes, the song burst from every car.  And as a result, Cushing's hymn was carried to and sung in locations far and near.  My experiences with this hymn have generally been in situations involving children, such as the dedication service of a child.  But if we are true believers, redeemed by the Savior, we are His precious jewels, no matter how young or old we may be.  We are His loved and His own.  And someday He will come back to gather us, His gems, for His kingdom.  What a precious hope.  Are you ready should that gathering be today?

1.     When He cometh, when He cometh

To make up His jewels,

All His jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,

His brightness adorning,

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

2.    He will gather, He will gather

The gems for His kingdom;

All the pure ones, all the bright ones,

His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,

His brightness adorning,

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

3.     Little children, little children,

Who love their Redeemer,

Are the jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,

His brightness adorning,

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN

THE GOD OF ABRAHAM PRAISE

        When you think of Biblical examples of faith and obedience to the will of God, you have to think of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation of Israel, the "father of a multitude".  Many examples of His faith are recorded for us in the Bible, especially in Hebrews 11:8 - 12.  The faith of Abraham pleased God.  And yet Abraham was human.  The Bible also shares his impatience, fear, and a tendency to lie and deceive under pressure.  And yet the God of Abraham, the very same God who is ours centuries later, used Abraham despite his failures and weaknesses. God can and will also use us in spite of our weaknesses and failures. The Lord is greatly pleased by our faith and willingness to obey him.  The God of Abraham is the same yesterday, today and forever and should be the object of our praise.  The hymn "The God of Abraham Praise" is a Christian adaptation of the Jewish hymn "Yigdal", loosely translated and Christianized by the evangelist Thomas Olivers (1725-1799) after a visit to the Great Synagogue of London in 1770.    Olivers was one of the many people from the middle and lower classes that were converted through the evangelical ministry of George Whitfield. He was orphaned at only four years of age and became an apprentice to a shoemaker. Young Olivers was known for his truly appalling behavior.  One day Olivers heard Whitfield preach on the text, "Is this not a brand plucked out of the fire?" from Zechariah 3:2. He was converted and his life changed dramatically. John Wesley recognized Olivers' talents and persuaded him to become one of his evangelists.  His hymn  was first published in 1772. and the title of the hymn was based on a verse in the Book of Exodus: "I am the God of thy Father, the God of Abraham". (Exodus 3:6)   The hymn was originally composed with thirteen verses although later reprints of the hymn omit a number of them with the majority of hymn books using just four verses.  As you review the words of this old hymn, use them to join in the praise of Abraham's God, the ancient days, who is the same God who deals with us today.  He is infinite, without beginning or ending in time.  He is omnipresent, always present in every place. He is holy, without a trace of evil or deception about Him.  He is a loving God.  He is powerful.  What a mighty God we serve!  Hail, Abraham's God and mine!  All might and majesty are Thine and endless praise!  Here are the verses normally found in hymn books today.

1.     The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;

Ancient of everlasting days, and God of Love;

Jehovah, great I AM! by earth and Heav'n confessed;

I bow and bless the sacred Name forever blessed.

2.    The God of Abraham praise, at Whose supreme command

From earth I rise — and seek the joys at His right hand;

I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame, and power;

And Him my only Portion make, my Shield and Tower.

3.     He by Himself has sworn; I on His oath depend,

I shall, on eagle wings upborne, to Heav'n ascend.

I shall behold His face; I shall His power adore,

And sing the wonders of His grace forevermore.

4.     The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high;

"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," they ever cry.

Hail, Abraham's God, and mine! (I join the heav'nly lays,)

All might and majesty are Thine, and endless praise.

Here are other verses that were originally part of this hymn.

The God of Abraham praise, whose all sufficient grace

Shall guide me all my happy days, in all my ways.

He calls a worm His friend, He calls Himself my God!

And He shall save me to the end, thro' Jesus' blood.

Tho' nature's strength decay, and earth and hell withstand,

To Canaan's bounds I urge my way, at His command.

The wat'ry deep I pass, with Jesus in my view;

And thro' the howling wilderness my way pursue.

The goodly land I see, with peace and plenty bless'd;

A land of sacred liberty, and endless rest.

There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound,

And trees of life forever grow with mercy crowned.

There dwells the Lord our King, the Lord our righteousness,

Triumphant o'er the world and sin, the Prince of peace;

On Sion's sacred height His kingdom still maintains,

And glorious with His saints in light forever reigns.

He keeps His own secure, He guards them by His side,

Arrays in garments, white and pure, His spotless bride:

With streams of sacred bliss, with groves of living joys—

With all the fruits of Paradise, He still supplies.

Before the great Three-One they all exulting stand;

And tell the wonders He hath done, through all their land:

The list'ning spheres attend, and swell the growing fame;

And sing, in songs which never end, the wondrous Name.

The God Who reigns on high the great archangels sing,

And "Holy, holy, holy!" cry, "Almighty King!

Who was, and is, the same, and evermore shall be:

Jehovah - Father - great I AM, we worship Thee!"

Before the Savior's face the ransomed nations bow;

O'erwhelmed at His almighty grace, forever new:

He shows His prints of love - they kindle to a flame!

And sound thro' all the worlds above the slaughtered Lamb.

You can listen to a beautiful version here.  LISTEN1

And here is a more formal congregational version for you.  LISTEN2

TRUSTING JESUS (TH#8)

TIMELESS HYMN #8 - Another one of the series of revised blogs of the great timeless hymns of the faith that I previously shared. This one was shared previously on February 22, 2009

          Sometimes a thought can jog a memory.  And when that memory happens to be a hymn, sometimes it is hard to get it out of your mind.  That is the case for me with this week's hymn.  This is one that we frequently sang in worship services as I was growing up.  I can picture great saints that I have known singing this with gusto because they had experienced the reality of the message in their daily living.  And, the older I get, the more the truth of this great hymn speaks to me.  How else can one face the  challenges of everyday living but by trusting Jesus for each moment?  What a thrill to realize that He knows our today and our future and we are safe in His care - even when our faith is small.  Trusting Jesus, that is all.  This is a hymn that is completely American in background.  Edgar Stites, author of the words, was a direct descendant of John Howland, one of the Mayflower's passengers.  Active in the Civil War, he was later a riverboat pilot and then a missionary to the frontier churches in South Dakota.  His hymn poem first appeared in a newspaper and was handed to the American evangelist D. L. Moody.  In turn, Moody gave it to his soloist and song leader, Ira D. Sankey, asking him to set it to music. In his book, Sankey's Story of the Gospel Hymns, the singer says, "I assented, on condition that he should vouch for the doctrine taught in the verses, and he said he would".  And with that a great hymn was written that has encouraged believers for many decades.  Hopefully this is your testimony.  So are you facing some challenges or some stormy ways today?  If not now, possibly you will tomorrow.  We all experience them at times in our life.  Then rest in the knowledge and experience that He does know all about it and He will guide you and comfort you as you trust Him. Who better to trust.  But we also need to trust Him and acknowledge Him in the good days, "singing if my path is clear". As the writer concludes, "Trusting Him while life shall last, Trusting Him till earth be past; Till within the jasper wall, Trusting Jesus, that is all."  What a wonderful privilege it is to walk with Him and trust Him each moment of our lives.

1.     Simply trusting every day,

Trusting through a stormy way;

Even when my faith is small,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,

Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

    

 2.     Brightly doth His Spirit shine

Into this poor heart of mine;

While He leads I cannot fall;

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,

Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

  3.     Singing if my way is clear,

Praying if the path be drear;

If in danger for Him call;

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,

Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

   

  4.     Trusting Him while life shall last,

Trusting Him till earth be past;

Till within the jasper wall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,

Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall,

Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Listen to it here.    LISTEN