HE WILL HOLD ME FAST (TH/PEACE #5)

        Many believers go through times when their faith wavers and doubts begin to cloud their mind.  Circumstances often make one wonder if their faith is real and if the Lord really cares about them.   Will He really carry us through our days of uneasiness and turmoil?  But as we claim His promises to us we know that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He will hold us fast.  
          Many of us may have concerns now as we wrestle with this deadly virus.  Does anybody really care about us?  Where is God during these dangerous times?  Haven't many of us had these questions as we faced these terrible times and as our lives have been changed?
          Robert Harkness (1880–1961) was a gifted Australian pianist who traveled the world in his twenties with the evangelist R.A..Torrey.  He wrote over 2,000 hymns and Gospel songs in his lifetime.  One night, at an evangelistic rally in Canada, Harkness met a young man, recently converted, who feared he might not be able to "hold out." Harkness longed for the young man and countless others to have confidence deep in their souls that their finishing the race, and keeping the faith, did not fall finally to themselves. He wanted them to know that God finishes what he starts.  
          After the unsettling conversation with this convert, Harkness wondered how he might help other Christians celebrate the power of God's sustaining hand in our perseverance and have this sweet truth bore deep into our souls. The answer was obvious for a musician  - a song.  He mentioned the need in a letter to London hymn writer Ada Habershon (1861–1918).  He shared the need for songs to encourage "definite assurance of success in the Christian life."   Inspired, she wrote seven. One she called "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail."  Harkness then wrote the original tune. 
          A century later an American worship pastor in Washington, D.C., Matt Merker, took out Habershon's words, given to him by a member of the congregation, during a trying season. He found fresh comfort and hope in the lyrics, put new music to the old hymn, and added a third verse. He shared the song with his wife and then his senior pastor, Mark Dever, who thought the church should try singing it. "The church quickly owned the song and began singing it with joy (and really loud voices!)." 
          Word soon spread and churches far and wide now sing Habershon's old hymn with Merker's new tune. Says Merker, "It reinvigorates us to know that God is in control and He will preserve us to the end."   Not only will God keep his people, but He delights to do so. Not only does He hold us fast, but He does so with great joy. And there is no safer place to be in the universe than hidden with Jesus in the heart of God's delight. (Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:23).  
          If today you are wrestling with concerns about your faith and future, trust the Lord to keep His promises and be assured that He will hold you fast until our faith is turned to sight, when He comes again at last.

1.     When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;

When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.

I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;

For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

2.     Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;

Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.

He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;

Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

3.     For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;

Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.

Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast

'Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Listen to it here.   HOLD ME FAST 

ALL YOUR ANXIETY (TH/PEACE #4)

        Are you burdened with anxiety?  Are you worried about all that is happening around you?  If you are, you are not alone.  All around the world people are stressed about the virus and the effects it is having on all of our lives.

          And I must admit that I am not a good one to give advice about stress and anxiety.  I, too, and concerned about the health of my family as well as my own health.  I wonder how the stock market will affect my retirement?  Will the businesses that my sons work for avoid bankruptcy?  Will they have jobs? Will we be able to get our needed medicine, some of which comes from China?  Will we run out of food?  Will my granddaughter be able to have her wedding in December?  There certainly are enough concerns to keep us worriers busy.

          Now if you are a believer you know that the answer to this problem is to fully trust the Lord.  Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you didn't even expect."   Proverbs 3:5, 6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Now we may know these truths, but obeying them is not always easy.

          When I was in college I was stunned to hear that my pastor, Rev. Rudy Gehman, had died of a sudden heart attack while preparing for a VBS closing program  Although that was over 50 years ago, I still vividly remember his funeral service.  One of the things that has remained in my mind is the hymn sung by the Pastor's Quartet  - "All Your Anxiety".  I had never heard this hymn before and I have now never forgotten it.  

          Years later it was in our new hymnbook at church, but I don't recall that we sang it very often.  However, over the years the words have often come back to me and have been a comfort to me in times of stress and anxiety.  Recently we were listening to some of our old 33 rpm records - do you remember these?.  One of the albums was by my favorite trombone player, Bill Pierce, and one of the numbers that he played and sang was this hymn.  I immediately thought that I had to include it in a blog, and I have done that a few times over the years.  Hopefully the words will be a help and comfort to many of you.  

         The hymn was written in 1920 by Edward H. Joy (1871 - 1949) who had a long career serving in the Salvation Army.  He was inspired to pen the words of this hymn by the words from Philippians, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  And also by the words from 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  

          Joy described the challenges that we all face at different times - sorrows, cares, burdens and anxieties.  We all encounter these at various times in life and are currently doing so today. They often cause us emotional stress, and too often even serious physical problems.  But there is a solution.  It is that we bring our anxieties to the Lord in prayer. For this, the hymn writer uses the imagery of coming to the cross, and of coming to the mercy seat.  How much better our lives would be if only we could claim and apply the words of this hymn and leave all of our anxiety with the Lord. I admit that this is a lesson that I must often still learn. But there is never a burden that He can't bear. And He asks us to leave ALL of them with Him. There is never a friend like Jesus. 

          

(1)   Is there a heart o'erbound by sorrow?

Is there a life weighed down by care?

Come to the cross, each burden bearing—

All your anxiety, leave it there.

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

(2)   No other friend so keen to help you,

No other friend so quick to hear;

No other place to leave your burden,

No other one to hear your prayer. 

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

(3)    Come then at once, delay no longer!

Heed His entreaty kind and sweet;

You need not fear a disappointment,

You shall find peace at the mercy seat.

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

Listen to it here.   ANXIETY

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS (TH/PEACE #3)

        This year Easter will be different than any Easter we have ever celebrated due to the virus that has hit folks all around the world.  Nobody will be attending Easter or Good Friday services in a church.  Some will view them online.  
          Families will not be gathering together for a meal because of the travel restrictions.  Some may communicate by phone or by programs like Skype or Zoom.  There won't be Easter Egg hunts for the children.  There won't be baseball to watch on television. Many will be ill - isolated at home or in hospitals. Everything will be different and maybe life will never return to what we have grown to know as normal.

          But let's be sure that with all of these changes that we don't forget the true meaning of Easter.  Hopefully we will take time to celebrate the Resurrection.  Hopefully we will take time to thank God for all that He has provided for us - especially for salvation.  God has been so good!  Be still and know that He is God!  Rejoice and praise Him.  He is in control!

         One of the things I have always enjoyed about Easter are the great hymns about the cross and the Lord's death and resurrection.  Hopefully we will find a way to hear them and sing them this year.  On April 4, 2010, I shared the story of "The Old Rugged Cross" on this blog.  As part of my series on "Timeless Hymns" and my short series of "Hymns of Peace", I have chosen to share this story once again.

          The Reverend George Bennard (1873-1958) is the author of this classic hymn which has been one of the favorites of believers for many years.  On one occasion, as Bennard was thinking of Christ's crucifixion, an original melody ran through his mind. Although it was a complete melody, very few words came with it. He struggled to write some appropriate lyrics, but all that came at first was the phrase, "I'll cherish the old rugged cross." But slowly the song seemed to take shape in bits and pieces.

         He returned from several preaching engagements to his home in Michigan with a renewed meaning of the cross etched in his mind and heart. He took the song manuscript and placed it on the kitchen table. In a very short span of time, he was able to rewrite the stanzas with each word falling perfectly into place. He asked his wife to join him in the kitchen. She did so and he joyfully sang his prized new song. She was pleased, expressing that the song was great. 

         Charles H. Gabriel, a well-known gospel-song composer, helped Bennard with the harmonies. He made the final changes while staying in the parsonage of the Rev. and Mrs. Leroy O. Bostwick, who had asked for his help with a two-week revival at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon, Michigan. There he sang the final completed version for the first time on June 7, 1913.  He had a choir of five, accompanied by a guitar, sing it from his penciled notes. 

         Published in 1915, the song was popularized during Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns by two members of his campaign staff, Homer Rodeheaver (who bought rights to the song for $500) and Virginia Asher, who most likely were the first to record it in 1921. 
          During this Easter season meditate upon these beautiful, meaningful words as we remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  What an amazing victory, hope, and peace were provided for those who accept what He did for us.  Despite the difficult conditions around us this year, rejoice in God's greatest gift to us.
          Have a blessed Easter and stay safe.

(1) On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

(2) O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

(3) In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

(4) To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I'll share.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

Listen to it here.   RUGGED

TILL THE STORM PASSES BY (TH/PEACE #2)

        This storm still rages worldwide.  The deadly virus continues to change our lives and cause sickness and death and devastation to our lives.  And there seems to be little or no hope for any quick solution.  And lives are still filled with fear, anxiety, pressure and worry.

          But God hasn't changed.  He is still in control.  His love hasn't changed.  His presence in our lives hasn't changed.  His provision of peace in our lives is still available.

         As you may recall, last week I said that I have been led for several weeks to change the direction of my blog.  I plan to repeat a few of the hymns that I've used in the past as an encouragement to each of us in these difficult days.   Last week we asked the question "Does Jesus Care?"  And without a doubt He does.

          Today we are facing a storm which we never expected or have experienced before.  It is one that even the experts don't know how to handle.  It is changing our lives.  But I think it might be the kind of storm that Mosie Lister wrote about in 1958.

          Lister may have been inspired by the story of Jesus who was with His disciples in a boat when a vicious storm hit them.  In Mark 4:39 we read, "And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still.  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." The scared disciples were astonished and relieved when upon the command of Jesus, the storm passed by.  Today as you face this deadly virus do you have the same feelings the disciples had before Jesus calmed the storm?  How easy it is to forget that with "Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm!"

         It is said that Lister's hymn was actually written for Mahalia Jackson, but it never reached her. A friend asked Lister to write a song for Jackson who at that time was well known for her rendition of the song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". Lister said that because he grew up among minority groups, he had an idea about the background of Jackson and wanted to write a song that would be a prayer for a person who has undergone struggles in life.  The song was never given to her but it was written and many other people have actually been blessed by it.  

         Lister's hymn also echoes the promise of God to Israel in Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you". The best part of this promise is that God not only said they would make it through, but that He would go with them! There was no fear of loneliness!  And that is also His promise to us today for Jesus has said that He would never leave us or forsake us. And He hasn't.  And He won't.  He will go with you through this virus.  He will hold you fast and let you stand in the hollow of His hand.  

          And one day He will take His children to that place where the long night has ended and the storms come no more. And we will stand with Him on that bright peaceful shore.  May that promise and truth be your encouragement as you experience His presence and peace while this storm passes by.

1.     In the dark of the midnight 

have I oft hid my face

While the storm howls above me, 

and there's no hiding place

'Mid the crash of the thunder, 

Precious Lord, hear my cry

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Till the storm passes over, 

till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

2.     Many times Satan whispered, 

"There is no need to try

For there's no end of sorrow, 

there's no hope by and by"

But I know Thou art with me, 

and tomorrow I'll rise

Where the storms never darken the skies

Till the storm passes over, 

till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

3.     When the long night has ended 

and the storms come no more

Let me stand in Thy presence 

on the bright peaceful shore

In that land where the tempest, 

never comes, Lord, may I

Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by

Till the storm passes over, 

till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Words and Music by Mosie Lister

copyright 1958

Take care and keep looking up!  Listen to it here    STORM