O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A special feature where I choose a hymn that I have written about before. I revise and update it, and share it once again because I think it has a powerful message that we need.  This one was shared previously on February 6, 2011. 

          As we come to February, thoughts often turn to Valentines Day and the subject of love. So I began to look for some hymns which talk about God's love. 

          This week's choice has an interesting story behind its writing. It was written by George Matteson on the evening of his sister's marriage. His whole family had gone to the wedding and had left him alone. Years before, he had been engaged until his fiance learned that he was going blind, and there was nothing the doctors could do. She told him that she could not go through life with a blind man. 

          He went blind while studying for the ministry and his sister had been the one who had taken care of him all these years. But now she was married and gone. He had been a brilliant student. Some said that if he hadn't gone blind he could have been the leader of the Church of Scotland in his day. He turned to the pastoral ministry and the Lord richly blessed him, finally bringing him to a church where he regularly preached to over 1500 people each week. 

          But he was only able to do this because of the care of his sister and now she was married and gone. Who would care for him now, a blind man? Not only that, but his sister's marriage brought a fresh reminder of his own heartbreak over his fiance's refusal to "go through life with a blind man". 

          It was in the midst of this circumstance and intense sadness that the Lord gave him this hymn – written, he says, in just 5 minutes! You can almost feel his pain at his human loss, but you can also sense his hope as he realizes that rest for his weary soul would only come from his Lord and that love would never let him go. 

          Are you discouraged and looking for such a love?  God loves you and will not leave you alone if you place your trust in Him.  Meditate on the truth of this hymn this week and be thankful for God's love that never lets us go.

1.  O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

    2.  O light that foll'west all my way,

I yield my flick'ring torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine's blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

    3.  O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

    4.  O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life's glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

You can listen to this hymn here.   LISTEN

IS IT THE CROWNING DAY?

         When you get awake in the morning do you think about the things that are ahead of you for the day?  Do you think about things you must do, places you must go, people you must contact, messages you hope to receive or send or how you are feeling?  So many everyday items usually flood our minds.  
          But how often do we think that today could be the day that Christ appears to take his children home?  The rapture is the next major event that scripture tells us will happen.  "We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:17).  Now we don't know when the rapture will happen even though many have tried and failed to set dates over the years.   The Word of God states no one but God the Father knows the time of Christ's return (Matt. 24:30, 36).  "It is not for [us] to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority" (Acts 1:7).  But the rapture could happen today and we are to look for His appearing.  "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).  
         Henry Ostrom (1862-1941) asked if this could be the crowning day when he penned the words of this hymn. A humble man, Dr. Ostrom used the pen name George Walker Whitcomb. It enabled him to ask for the singing of a hymn he had written without calling undue attention to himself. When he preached, he often reminded his listeners of the need to get the gospel out, because of the soon return of Christ. Most who heard him say, "This may be the crowning day," were unaware that he had written the stirring gospel song on that theme.  
          The question for us is are we really hoping that the rapture could happen today?  Or are there other things that we want to do first?  May our realization be that "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).  As Whitcomb's song says,   "Faithful I'll be today, Glad day! Glad day! And I will freely tell why I should love Him so well, for He is my all today." And because of His promises we need not be anxious or fearful. He will come to take His children out of this world which is filled with sin.  
          Of course sometime after the rapture there will be a spectacular crowning day, the Second Coming, when the Lord returns to earth for a second time, this time as King.  What a spectacular crowning time that too will be. Great days are ahead for all true believers.  Let it be our goal to be faithful and look for His return.  Maybe we should start each morning by saying, "Lord come quickly, may this be the crowning day".  And one of these days, possibly soon, it will be.  Are you ready?

1    Jesus may come today,

Glad day! Glad day! 

And I would see my Friend;

Dangers and troubles would end

If Jesus should come today.

Refrain:

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

I'll live for today, nor anxious be,

Jesus my Lord I soon shall see;

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

2    I may go home today,

Glad day! Glad day!

Seemeth I hear their song;

Hail to the radiant throng!

If I should go home today.

Refrain:

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

I'll live for today, nor anxious be,

Jesus my Lord I soon shall see;

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

3    Why should I anxious be?

Glad day! Glad day!

Lights appear on the shore,

Storms will affright nevermore,

For He is "at hand" today.

Refrain:

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

I'll live for today, nor anxious be,

Jesus my Lord I soon shall see;

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

4    Faithful I'll be today,

Glad day! Glad day!

And I will freely tell

Why I should love Him so well,

For He is my all today. 

Refrain:

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

I'll live for today, nor anxious be,

Jesus my Lord I soon shall see;

Glad day! Glad day!

Is it the crowning day?

Listen to it here.   CROWNING

GOODBYE WORLD GOODBYE

           2020 was a very challenging year for all of us.  It seems that almost daily we would face new problems ... Covid19, natural disasters, racial problems, protests, violence, elections, international conflicts, unemployment, hits to retirement funds, personal problems, rises in the cost of living, isolation and loneliness, and much more.  

           It has been so easy to get discouraged and even lose hope.  But for the child of God there is hope and the promise of an exciting future.  One day, hopefully soon, the Lord will take us out of this mess here on earth and we will be with Him eternally. He has promised to do that and He has never failed to do what He has promised.  And so then we will be able to shout "Goodbye world, goodbye!"  And what a thrill that will be!  

          That was the hope of writer Mosie Lister (1921-2015) when in 1952 he shared that hope when he composed this week's song choice.  Mr. Lister's main message in this piece reflects confidence in knowing that life is eternal and does not end with physical death.  Not only are the words true and encouraging, they are set in a lively upbeat jazzy-ragtime quality that is just fun to sing and play.  You can't hear or sing this piece without getting excited knowing that you are bound for that land in the sky. Just think of the glories of heaven.  

          The Bible speaks of its mansions, streets of gold, foundations of jewels, its river of life, the endless fellowship without sorrow, death, pain or tears. There will be blessed reunions with our loved ones.  But most of all - Jesus will be there.  As Billy Graham once said - "the most thrilling thing about heaven is that Jesus Christ will be there.  I will see Him face to face."  And our eternity in heaven is secure through Christ.  So don't be discouraged by all the cares and fears of this world, for one day soon your feet won't  stay on the ground and you will shout goodbye world goodbye!

I told all my troubles "Goodbye"

Goodbye to each tear and each sigh

This world where I roam cannot be my home

I'm bound for that land in the sky

I walk and I talk with my Lord

I feast every day on His Word

Heaven is near and I can't stay here

Goodbye World Goodbye

Now don't you weep for me when I'm gone

'Cause I won't have to leave here alone

And when I hear that last trumpet sound

My feet won't stay on the ground

Goin' rise with a shout, goin' fly

Ride with my Lord through the sky

Heaven is near and I can't stay here

Goodbye World Goodbye

Well I won't have the blues anymore

When I step across to that shore

And I'll never pine for I'll leave behind

My heartaches and tears evermore

A day maybe two then Goodbye

Tomorrow I'll rise up and fly

Heaven is near and I can't stay here

Goodbye World Goodbye

Now don't you weep for me when I'm gone

'Cause I won't have to leave here alone

And when I hear that last trumpet sound

My feet won't stay on the ground

Goin' rise with a shout, goin' fly

Goin' rise with my Lord through the sky

Heaven is near and I can't stay here

Goodbye World Goodbye 

Listen to it here.   GOODBYE

I AM SO GLAD THAT JESUS LOVES ME

        What a wonderful thing it is to know that somebody really loves you.  And the Bible makes it so clear that God loves us.  As we know from John 3:16, "He so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."  And Romans 5:8 shares " But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  It certainly is amazing to realize that God does love us. 

          There have been many hymns written attempting to describe this special relationship.  One of these, written by Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876) in 1870, has always been a favorite of mine because it conveys this truth in such an upbeat method. Bliss left his home in Clearfield County, PA, as a young boy to make a living by working on farms and in lumber camps, all while trying to continue his schooling. He was converted at a revival meeting at age twelve. He became an itinerant music teacher, making house calls on horseback during the winter.  During the summer he attended the Normal Academy of Music in Genesco, New York. His first song was published in 1864, and in 1868 Dwight L. Moody advised him to become a singing evangelist. For the last two years of his life Bliss traveled with Major D. W. Whittle and led the music at revival meetings. Bliss's tragic death at the age of thirty-eight happened in 1876. when he and his wife were traveling to Chicago to sing for evangelistic services led by Whittle at Dwight L. Moody's Tabernacle. But a train wreck and fire en route claimed their lives.

          In June, 1870 Mrs. Bliss came down for breakfast and said that her husband had been singing a tune that had come to him overnight.  They couldn't get it out of their minds and she predicted that it would live and be one of the most used that he had ever written.  His ideas in writing it was that the peace and comfort of a Christian were not founded upon his loving Christ but upon Christ's love to him and that to occupy the mind with Christ's love would produce love and consecration.  And over the years God has used this song to lead many sinners and doubting Christians to look away to Jesus who loved them.  Bliss said the song was suggested to him by hearing the chorus of the hymn "Oh How I  Love Jesus" repeated very frequently in a meeting he had attended.  After joining in the chorus a number of times the thought came to him, "have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus and shall I not rather sing of His great love for me?"

          As we sing this song this week, may we be reminded of God's great love for us.  And may our song throughout our loves and all eternity be, "Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!". 

 

1.     I am so glad that our Father in Heav'n

Tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n;

Wonderful things in the Bible I see,

This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

2.     If I forget Him and wander away,

Still He doth love me wherever I stray;

Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,

When I remember that Jesus loves me

 am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

.

3.     Oh, if there's only one song I can sing,

When in His beauty I see the great King,

This shall my song through eternity be,

"Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!"

 am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

4.     Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;

Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;

Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;

Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

 am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

5.     If one should ask of me, how can I tell?

Glory to Jesus, I know very well!

God's Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,

Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

 am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

6.     In this assurance I find sweetest rest,

Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;

Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,

When I just tell him that Jesus loves me

 am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

.

You can listen to it here.    LOVE

MAKE ME A BLESSING (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN  - Another revised and repeated blog of one of my favorite Gospel songs - Yes I Know - originally shared on November 2, 2014.  I've chosen to share this one again because I think it is a great prayer for each o us to make as we begin a new year.  May the Lord use each of us to be a blessing to others. 

          Recently I saw a handicapped man from our church who was going through more health tests.  I had been praying for him.  So I stopped to spend a few minutes with him, asking about his tests and how he was doing.  Unfortunately, the results still weren't back so he really could not give me any update.  I reminded him that I was praying for him and then I moved on to meet some responsibilities that I had.  I really didn't think much more about our brief conversation.  But then, a few days later, I was surprised to receive an e-mail from this gentleman.  He wrote just to thank me for taking time to talk to him.  He said that I had been a blessing to him.  I was really taken back because I didn't think that I had done anything special.  But apparently I had been an encouragement and blessing to him.  

          A day later, on the radio, I heard this week's hymn choice.  I hadn't heard it or sung it for many year, but its message hit home. "Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad; Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad."  I was reminded of how easy and important it can be to be a blessing to those who are weary and sad just by just doing something as simple as taking a little time listening to them. 

         Many years ago the Lord promised Abraham, "I will bless you … and you shall be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2). We are called, as believers, to be a blessing to others. But we can only give to them out of the resources the Lord has provided for us. He blesses us, and by that means we are equipped to be a blessing to others. 

         George Shuler and Ira Wilson were roommates at Moody Bible Institute in 1924.  At the Institute, they combined their talents and gave the world this beautiful song of consecration. Wilson wrote the lyrics and Shuler the music.  At first the song was rejected by music publishers, so Shuler had one thousand copies printed to distribute on his own. One fell into the hands of George Dibble, an outstanding singer who was at that time music director for the International Sunday School Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Dibble asked for permission to use the song and it was granted. Soon people everywhere were singing the song, and publishers were wanting to distribute copies.  

          Between the time Ira Wilson wrote the lyrics and the time the song began to be so well known, Wilson apparently forgot that he was the author!  Until he died, he never remembered that he had written these famous words.  The words are powerful and should remind us daily of our need to encourage others and to be a blessing to them.  What a wonderful ministry.  This hymn would be a great prayer for us to begin every day.  "Make me a blessing to someone today."

1      Out in the highways and byways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

2      Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,

Tell of His pow'r to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove

True, every moment you live. 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

3      Give as 'twas given to you in you need,

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true. 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN