As we come to the end of another year, many of us will take time to review the past year and make plans or resolutions for the coming year. Much of that review will probably involve looking at our finances, especially as we begin to prepare for completing our annual income tax forms. Often we will then make adjustments in our investments, our budget, and our plans to pay off bills. But sometimes reviews will include other things such as our health, our relationships, our work and our dreams. And out of these reviews will often come resolutions for the following year. Annual reviews can be very helpful. But, unfortunately these annual reviews often miss an evaluation of our spiritual growth and of our many spiritual blessings. Let me encourage you to include a spiritual evaluation of your life this year. And maybe Elisha Hoffman's (1939-1929) great hymn, "What a Wonderful Savior", might provide a good starting point. Hoffman was a pastor and a prolific hymn writer with more than 2,000 hymns credited to him. Some of his more familiar hymns include, "I Must Tell Jesus," "Is Thy Heart Right With God?", "Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?", "Glory To His Name," and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." In this week's hymn choice, written in 1891, he highlights several of the spiritual blessings that we have through Christ, our wonderful Savior. Stanza 1 refers to His redemption, stanza 2 to His cleansing blood, stanza 3 to His reign, stanza 4 to His guidance, stanza 5 to His power and stanza 6 to His influence. What a great beginning outline this could be in our review of what He has done for us, not only in the past, but also what He has promised to do for us in our present and future. And as we begin a new year let's remember to thank our wonderful Savior and praise Him daily. Remember that "He walks beside me in the way" and "keeps me faithful day by day." "He gives me overcoming power", and "triumph in each trying hour." May our testimony be, "To Him I've given all my heart ... the world shall never share a part". Let's resolve in the coming year to daily live more thankful lives as we recall all that He has done for us. "What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus! What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord!"
1 Christ has for sin atonement made -
We are redeemed, the price is paid -
What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!
What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord!
2 I praise Him for the cleansing blood -
That reconciled my soul to God -
What a wonderful Savior! [Refrain]
3 He cleansed my heart from all its sin -
And now He reigns and rules therein -
What a wonderful Savior! [Refrain]
4 He walks beside me in the way:
And keeps me faithful day by day;
5 He gives me overcoming pow'r -
And triumph in each trying hour -
What a wonderful Savior! [Refrain]
6. To Him I've given all my heart:
The world shall never share a part:
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