IN TENDERNESS HE SOUGHT ME

          "Great are Thy tender mercies, O Lord." ( Psalm 119:156)  Praise God for His great tender mercies to His children - love that sought us when we strayed from Him, blood that bought us from the penalty of sin, and wondrous grace that brought us to His fold.    William Spencer Walton was born in London, saved when he was twenty-two, served the Lord first in evening evangelism, then served full time in the British Isles, and lastly in South Africa.  During his first trip to South Africa in 1888, hundreds were saved. Walton then returned to England where he established the Cape General Mission in 1889. While in England he married Kathleen Dixon, who also served in South Africa. Sadly, after only ten months together, Kathleen died in childbirth.   In 1893, Walton married Lena Gibson, and they continued giving the gospel of Christ in South Africa through war, famine, and plagues. In 1904, the mission sent the Waltons and their three children to North America and Britain. During their travels,Walton was taken ill and died at the age of fifty-six.   Walton's missionary work is known mainly through the books and pamphlets he wrote. He is also credited with one hymn, In Tenderness He Sought Me, published in 1894.  In this hymn he used references to  several Biblical examples to illustrate God's tender mercies.  He referred in the first verse to the parable (Luke 15:3-7) of the man who had a hundred sheep, lost one, and left the ninety-nine in the wilderness in order to seek after the one which was lost. This shows how God the Son went out of his way to find us and brings us home.  In the second verse he referred to the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke chapter 10.  "He washed the bleeding sin-wounds, and poured in oil and wine."  And then in the third verse there are references to the sacrifice of Christ for us at Calvary.  Oh what love was demonstrated there.   And then verses four and five share what should be the experience of each believer as we wait for that glorious day when we shall be called to His side to be with Him eternally.  What a glorious hope is ours.  How great are His tender mercies - love, blood and grace - to His children.

1.     In tenderness He sought me,

Weary and sick with sin,

And on His shoulders brought me

Into His flock again.

While angels in His presence sang

Until the courts of heaven rang.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

2.     He washed the bleeding sin-wounds,

And poured in oil and wine;

He whispered to assure me,

"I've found thee, thou art Mine:"

I never heard a sweeter voice,

It made my aching heart rejoice.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

3.     He pointed to the nail-prints,

For me His blood was shed;

A mocking crown so thorny,

Was placed upon His head:

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

4.     I'm sitting in His presence,

The sunshine of His face,

While with adoring wonder

His blessings I retrace.

It seems as if eternal days

Are far too short to sound His praise.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

5.     So while the hours are passing,

All now is perfect rest,

I'm waiting for the morning,

The brightest and the best,

When He will call us to His side,

To be with Him, His spotless bride.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

Listen to it here.   LOVE

A CHARGE TO KEEP I HAVE

         In Mark 16:15 the Lord gives an important charge to his disciples. "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."   But that charge is also given to all believers.  We are called to share the Gospel with others.  It is a charge for us to keep.  And that is the message of a hymn written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) in 1762.  It is one of about 6,500 hymns he is said to have written. This hymn is an unequivocal call to commitment to follow the Master and to fulfill our vocation through service. The language is unambiguous. Our calling is to save a "never dying soul" and "fit it for the sky" - that is for eternal life with Christ. This eschatological goal is central to Charles Wesley's hymns: Our goal is heaven.  In the second stanza, we find that we fulfill this calling by our service to "the present age." Fulfilling this calling requires us to engage "all our powers." The third stanza is a petition that God should "arm us with jealous care" as we live in God's sight. Wesley is not afraid to offer a stern admonition that we will one day be required to give "a strict account" of our activities in pursuit of our calling. Stanza 4 tells us that in order to keep our charge we must watch and pray.  Watching and praying teaches us to rely on God, and this is a necessity for us to keep our charge (1 Timothy 6.20}.  This is a relatively short song, but  it  impresses us with the fact that true Christianity is more than just "going to church" on Sunday, or even profiting from the worship, as important as that may be. It is a total commitment demonstrated in complete obedience to God's will.  Hymnology scholar Fred D. Gealy notes that there have been several attempts to alter the final lines in order to soften the ominous judgment that is implied. The Historical Companion to the influential Hymns Ancient and Modern concludes the hymn with these two lines:  "And let me ne'er my trust betray, But press to realms on high."    The British Methodist hymnal, Hymns and Psalms (1983) altered the final two lines as follows: "So shall I not my trust betray, nor love within me die."  I  am told that in George W. Bush's presidential library, behind his desk there is a small, simply framed copy of A Charge To Keep I Have.  The first two stanzas apparently spoke to President Bush. Not only is it one of the themes of his library, but  it is also the title of his book released in 1999. As believers we do have the Lord's charge to keep.  We can only do it with His power, guidance, and presence.  And He has promised and provided all of that for His children.  Are we keeping His charge?

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,

My calling to fulfill:

Oh, may it all my pow'rs engage

To do my Master's will!

Arm me with jealous care,

As in Thy sight to live;

And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare

A strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,

And on Thyself rely,

Assured, if I my trust betray,

I shall forever die.

You can listen to it here.   CHARGE

I NEED JESUS

          If you are a parent you will no doubt remember how when your children were growing up they needed you whenever they got hurt or had a problem, no matter how minor it may have been.  There was something healing about a hug or a kiss from mother or dad.  And even as they grew up there was always something special about advice and help from parents.  Often you needed them.  And we likewise need help as we face the challenges of life - we need someone - we need Jesus.  And He is always there to comfort and guide His children. Personally, the older I get it seems the more my prayers contain the plea, Lord I need you.  For there is no other way to get the help I need. George Orlia Webster (1866 - 1942)  was the son of a Baptist minister who later became a pastor himself.  He is said to have written several hundred hymns and other songs, but few of them survive today.  This particular one grew out of his conviction that Christians needed to get together more instead of remaining hostile to one another, crouched behind denominational walls. He said he was sitting on the porch of his cottage one afternoon thinking how foolish it was for Christians to be unhappily divided. "After all," he said to himself, "we all need Jesus." And looking into his own heart he confessed, "I need Jesus." It was then that this week's song was born.  Jesus alone is the answer to our soul's deepest needs. As Webster's hymn says, " I need Jesus ... every day ... in the sunshine hour ...when the storm clouds lower ... every day, along my way.... yes, I need Jesus!"   If you are fortunate you may have a few close friends here on earth.  Many don't.  But even the best of friends don't have the wisdom or the ability to help you solve earth's pressing problems.  And no friend here on earth can provide eternal salvation.  Do you recognize the need for Jesus in your life?  He has promised never to leave or forsake His children and He never has and never will.  Yes, we need Jesus!

1.     I need Jesus, my need I now confess;

No friend like Him in times of deep distress;

I need Jesus, the need I gladly own;

Though some may bear their load alone,

  Yet I need Jesus.

  I need Jesus, I need Jesus,

  I need Jesus every day;

Need Him in the sunshine hour,

Need Him when the storm-clouds low'r;

Every day along my way,

    Yes, I need Jesus.

2     I need Jesus, I need a friend like Him,

A friend to guide when paths of life are dim;

I need Jesus, when foes my soul assail;

Alone I know I can but fail,

  So I need Jesus.

I need Jesus, I need Jesus,

  I need Jesus every day;

Need Him in the sunshine hour,

Need Him when the storm-clouds low'r;

Every day along my way,

    Yes, I need Jesus.

3     I need Jesus, I need Him to the end;

No one like Him, He is the sinner's friend;

I need Jesus, no other friend will do;

So constant, kind, so strong and true,

  Yes, I need Jesus.

I need Jesus, I need Jesus,

  I need Jesus every day;

Need Him in the sunshine hour,

Need Him when the storm-clouds low'r;

Every day along my way,

    Yes, I need Jesus.

Because this song is old and seldom sung anymore it was very  hard to find a video to share with you.  But here is one for you to listen to.  I am sorry that it isn't a very good one.     NEED.

JESUS TOOK MY BURDEN

         I recall my grandfather sharing this illustration in one of his sermons.  There was an elderly man walking slowly along a country road, carrying a very heavy package.  He was struggling from the weight of his burden. A man passing by in a horse drawn cart stopped and invited him to relieve himself of the burden by riding in his cart.  The old man accepted the invitation but continued to hold his package rather than placing it on the cart.  His reaction was the same as the way so many folks respond today with their burdens.  We all face the heavy burden of sin.  "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23. But today many try to deny that burden or try unsuccessful ways to deal with it. "For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me."  Psalm 38:4.  This week's hymn shares the only way for mankind to get rid of this burden, " When I, a poor, lost sinner, before the Lord did fall, and in the name of Jesus for pardon loud did call; He heard my supplication, and soon the weak was strong, for Jesus took my burden and left me with a song."  But after we are relieved of the burden of sin through his love and grace, we continue to face various different burdens during our walk on this earth.  "Ofttimes the way is dreary,and rugged seems the road, Ofttimes i'm weak and weary, when bent beneath some load." "When I was crushed with sorrow I bowed in deep despair. My load of grief and heartache seemed more than I could bear."  Have you faced times like these?  I imagine that you have. I know that I have - it's part of  living in this world.  But I hope that your experience with these burdens was, "'Twas when I heard a whisper, "You to the lord belong." Then Jesus took my burden, and left me with a song."  These words were probably the experience of the one who wrote them, Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856 - 1922).  He served as a visiting preacher in many churches. He also worked in the mercantile trade, and then the insurance business. But the man is remembered today mainly for the many gospel songs he wrote, about five thousand of them. These include No Not One, Under His Wings, Higher Ground, and Count Your Blessings.  Oatman concludes this hymn with the testimony,  "I'll trust Him for the future, He knoweth all the way. For with His eye He'll guide me, along life's pilgrim way."  Psalm 55:22 also challenges us to " Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."  Are you carrying a heavy burden today?  Don't be like the elderly man who held on to his package rather than letting the wagon carry the load.  Cast your heavy burden upon the Lord who cares for you.  He'll take your burden and leave you with a song.  

1     When I, a poor, lost sinner,

Before the Lord did fall,

And in the name of Jesus

For pardon loud did call;

He heard my supplication,

And soon the weak was strong,

For Jesus took my burden,

And left me with a song.

Chorus:

Yes, Jesus took my burden

I could no longer bear,

Yes, Jesus took my burden

In answer to my prayer;

My anxious fears subsided

My spirit was made strong,

For Jesus took my burden,

And let me with a song.

2      Ofttimes the way is dreary,

And rugged seems the road,

Ofttimes i'm weak and weary,

When bent beneath some load;

But when I cry in weakness, 

"How long, O Lord, how long?"

Then Jesus takes the burden,

And leaves we with a song.

Chorus:

Yes, Jesus took my burden

I could no longer bear,

Yes, Jesus took my burden

In answer to my prayer;

My anxious fears subsided

My spirit was made strong,

For Jesus took my burden,

And let me with a song.

3      When I was crushed with sorrow

I bowed in deep despair,

My load of grief and heartache

Seemed more than I could bear;

'Twas when I heard a whisper,

"You to the lord belong,"

Then Jesus took my burden,

And left me with a song. 

Chorus:

Yes, Jesus took my burden

I could no longer bear,

Yes, Jesus took my burden

In answer to my prayer;

My anxious fears subsided

My spirit was made strong,

For Jesus took my burden,

And let me with a song.

4      I'll trust Him for the future,

He knoweth all the way,

For with His eye He'll guide me

Along life's pilgrim way;

And I will tell in heaven,

While ages roll along, 

How Jesus took my burden,

And left me with a song. [

Chorus:

Yes, Jesus took my burden

I could no longer bear,

Yes, Jesus took my burden

In answer to my prayer;

My anxious fears subsided

My spirit was made strong,

For Jesus took my burden,

And let me with a song.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN  - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that I have featured previously in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge. This hymn was originally shared here on March 21, 2010.

          Isaiah 6: 1 – 3 "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." This hymn, one of the greatest worship hymns ever penned, was written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826).  Reginald become Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and served his people for three years before dying of a stroke. Among her dead husband's papers his wife found the words of one of the most powerful and beautiful hymns ever written. "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," read Reginald Heber's widow. But years would pass before the lines took their place in worship services around the world. In 1861, a publisher rediscovered the words. He asked John Bacchus Dykes to furnish him with a tune. John accepted the words and within thirty minutes he wrote the tune "Nicea," which carried the praise of the Trinity. It is one of those hymns that continues to be sung even when contemporary praise songs replace traditional hymns in today's church services. While I remember singing this as a youngster, the words of the third verse became very meaningful to me several years ago when I went to Washington D.C. to join with a million men gathered there to worship God Almighty. I remember singing this and other great hymns as we would be waiting for transportation. We would join with men from all over the world and our voices would radiate, often through subway tunnels. It sent chills through my body. It had to be a small glimpse of what heaven will be like. But then, as we headed into the mall, we walked through a group of misguided women from NOW who were protesting our right to gather and misjudging our purpose for being there. Seldom have I felt evil, all around me, as I felt at that time. Then these words came to me, "though the eye of sinful men thy glory may not see." It hit home to me. These poor women were blinded to the Almighty God and they could not see or experience His glory. How sad and how common this is today. But God is holy and someday "all Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth and sky and sea!" Sing along with these truths today as you worship Him.

(1) Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

(2) Holy, holy, holy! All saints adore thee,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

(3) Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see,

only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

perfect in power, in love, and purity.

(4) Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

You can listen to it here.   HOLY