I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A feature in which I choose a previous post, revise it and edit it and post it once more.  This one was first posted on February 26, 2012.

          Have you ever stopped to ask yourself the question, what have I done with my life? That was a question that Frances R. Havergal (1836 - 1879), much like us, often asked herself. 

          When she was 22 she was visiting relatives in Germany. She was weary from visiting sites there and as she sat to rest in an art museum in Dusseldorf she saw a painting of Christ, wearing a crown of thorns, standing before Pilate and the mob. Under the painting by Sternberg were the words, "This have I done for thee; what hast thou done for Me?" 

          Havergal was deeply moved and with tears in her eyes she found a piece of scrap paper and scribbled down what would become the words of this great hymn. Returning home from her trip, she decided that the poetry really was poor so she threw it into a stove. 

          Somehow the paper was scorched but not burnt and it floated out of the flames and landed on the floor. Later it was found there by her father, the Rev. Eilliam Havergal, an Anglican minister who himself was a poet and musician. He encouraged her to preserve the poem by composing the first melody for it. Later the tune for this test was composed by the noted American gospel songwriter, Philip P. Bliss, and was first published in 1873. 

          Since then the hymn has been sung by thousands around the world.  This week the hymn should remind us that Christ gave His life for us. He left all the glory of heaven to pay a terrible price so that we could be ransomed. His precious blood has made our salvation possible. 

          And the question remains, what have we done for Him?

1.    I gave My life for thee,

My precious blood I shed,

That thou might'st ransomed be,

And quickened from the dead;

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou given for Me?

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou given for Me?

2.    My Father's house of light,

My glory circled throne,

I left, for earthly night,

For wanderings sad and lone;

I left, I left it all for thee,

Hast thou left aught for Me?

I left, I left it all for thee,

Hast thou left aught for Me?

3.    I suffered much for thee,

More than the tongue can tell,

Of bitterest agony,

To rescue thee from hell;

I've borne, I've borne it all for thee,

What hast thou borne for Me?

I've borne, I've borne it all for thee,

What hast thou borne for Me?

4.   And I have brought to thee,

Down from My home above,

Salvation full and free,

My pardon and My love;

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,

What hast thou brought to Me?

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,

What hast thou brought to Me?

Listen to it here.  LIFE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsm2wRvsq7M

HIS ROBES FOR MINE

 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God.  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…"  Isaiah 61:10

   

          I was recently introduced to this beautiful hymn by the congregation and choir of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas.  I was impressed because, unlike some of the music being introduced in churches today, this one is sound in doctrine.

          Written by Chris Anderson the founding pastor of Tri-County Bible Church in Madison, Ohio, it proclaims two important doctrines. First, justification by grace alone through faith in Christ alone and second the doctrine of double imputation, the great exchange of our sins and His perfect righteousness given to the undeserving sinner at conversion.

          According to Anderson the four verses of "His Robes for Mine" focus on major themes included in the doctrine of justification.

          "Verse 1 addresses the hymn's overriding theme of "The Great Exchange".  Jesus Christ was made sin for us in order that we might be declared righteous in Him …  Hence, the theme of the song."

          "Verse 2 focuses on Christ's active obedience – the fact that He mastered God's Law in the place of sinners who could not, thus earning righteousness on our behalf … The key lesson here is that the righteousness imputed to me was Christ's earned righteousness which He acquired by perfect obedience to God's Law, not the inherent righteousness which He has eternally possessed by virtue of His deity."

          "Verse 3 focuses on the grand doctrine of propitiation, the fact that God's wrath was not merely deflected from us by Christ, but was rather absorbed by Him in our place.  Jesus Christ bore the infinite wrath of God against sin, satisfying God's wrath and enabling sinners to be forgiven, and justly so."

          Anderson continues, "Verse 4 summarizes the hymn by describing the results of the Great Exchange – Christ forsaken and the sinner embraced by God.  The role change of the sinner and Christ is amazing: the beloved Son of God forsaken in order that the enemy of God might be beloved.  Though I understand this doctrine biblically, I cannot fathom it.  It is astounding.  It is wonderful."

          "Finally we added a refrain which emphasizes our wonder at the cost of our salvation, then responds to Christ's love with worship and consecration … "I cling to Christ and marvel at the cost!""

         The author concludes, "As with other projects, our greatest delight would be for the Lord to use this song to point people toward Christ.  I pray that it will help you mine the infinite riches of the salvation won for us when Christ donned our filthy garments of sin and provided for us the robes of His own righteousness! What a Savior the Lord Jesus is!  To Him be all glory, honor and praise!"

         My one regret as I write this blog is that since many churches no longer sing hymns, the message of this classic hymn will be missed by so many in this age.  Meditate on these words and truths this week.

1.     His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!

Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered 'neath God's rage.

Draped in His righteousness, I'm justified.

In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone.

 

2.     His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?

God's daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.

Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,

Saved by my Lord's vicarious death and life.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone

 

3.     His robes for mine: God's justice is appeased.

Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father's pleased.

Christ drank God's wrath on sin, then cried, "'Tis done!"

Sin's wage is paid; propitiation won.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone

 

4.     His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.

Christ, God's beloved, condemned as though His foe.

He, as though I, accursed and left alone;

I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.

Bought by such love, my life is not my own.

My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone

 © 2008 Church Works Media. All rights reserved.

 Listen to it here     ROBES

 

STRICKEN, SMITTEN AND AFFLICTED

        One of the things that I have enjoyed over the years while writing this blog has been the discovery of hymns that I have never heard before.  This week's hymn is one of those.

           Thomas Kelly (1769-1855) wrote more than 750 hymns, including this one in 1804. Kelly planned to be a lawyer but after his conversion the Irishman decided to enter the ministry. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1792, but later became a "dissenting" minister. 

          The opening line of Kelly's hymn echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah, in his 53rd chapter. It is the description of the Messianic Suffering Servant: "We considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." 

          In verse two, we are forced to consider the depth of Christ's passion, his groaning, his betrayal, his insults, and his unmatched grief. The deepest stroke that pierced him, however, was the stroke that divine justice gave.  Verse three reminds us that the cross displays the true nature of sin and human guilt. Then verse four elegantly summarizes the hope of the gospel -  "Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, sacrifice to cancel guilt! None shall ever be confounded who on him their hope have built." 

          These sober lyrics are set to a somber tune.  Kelly's words pose a challenge to the reader, urging us to think deeply on the events of Good Friday, as paraphrased from the Scriptural accounts. While we will never fully know or appreciate what Christ went through for us as He was beaten, mocked, and crucified, Scripture assures us that His sacrifice was on purpose, with purpose, and for our sake.  "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10)  "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)  All of Scripture points to Jesus, the Word of God.  

          What Christ accomplished for us during the week of His Passion was what the prophets proclaimed, what the apostles witnessed, and what we rest our faith upon.  There is power in God's Word.  With Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith, we have a firm foundation that rolls the gravestones away, and remains strong into eternity.  

           May we take time to reflect upon the sacrifice and provision of the Savior who was stricken, smitten and afflicted for our salvation.

1    Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,

see him dying on the tree!

'Tis the Christ by man rejected;

yes, my soul, 'tis he, 'tis he!

'Tis the long-expected Prophet,

David's Son, yet David's Lord;

by his Son God now has spoken:

'tis the true and faithful Word.

2    Tell me, ye who hear him groaning,

was there ever grief like his?

Friends thro' fear his cause disowning,

foes insulting his distress;

many hands were raised to wound him,

none would interpose to save;

but the deepest stroke that pierced him

was the stroke that Justice gave.

3    Ye who think of sin but lightly

nor suppose the evil great

here may view its nature rightly,

here its guilt may estimate.

Mark the sacrifice appointed,

see who bears the awful load;

'tis the Word, the Lord's Anointed,

Son of Man and Son of God.

4    Here we have a firm foundation,

here the refuge of the lost;

Christ's the Rock of our salvation,

his the name of which we boast.

Lamb of God, for sinners wounded,

sacrifice to cancel guilt!

None shall ever be confounded

who on him their hope have built.

Listen to it here.   STRICKEN

I WILL SING OF THE MERCIES

          One of the most unusual battles ever waged is recorded in 2 Chronicles 20.  

         Judah was invaded from the South and King Jehosphat had no way to save his city.  He felt a surge of panic but he pulled himself together enough to summon the public for prayer.

       He prayed, "We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (verse 12)  When he finished praying, no sound was heard.

        Then suddenly a prophet called out, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's" (verse 15).   What a truth for us today in these troubled times in which we live.

          The next day Judah's armies marched into battle, but using an unlikely military strategy.  Musicians went first, praising the Lord, singing,  "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever" (verse 21).  The armies of the enemy were plundered, and God won the victory.

          May this historical account be an example for us today.  As we face circumstances coming against us, may we march forward with singing, praise, and prayer.  The battle is not ours, but God's.  His mercies to us are infinite.

          The Psalmist declared in Psalm 89:1, "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations".

          And this verse is the basis for what may be one of the first "modern worship choruses" written.  The composer of the tune and the author of the lyrics of this hymn are unknown, but credit is usually given to  James Henry Fillmore (1849-1936). 

            Fred & James Fillmore were brothers living in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Both of them were ministers and traveling music teachers, teaching piano, organ, and singing in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and elsewhere. Together, they started a music company called The Fillmore Brothers Publishing Company, and they published a magazine that included some of the new songs they wrote.   Since James wrote more music than Fred did, it is assumed that's why this song was credited to James. But, recently this song has been discovered in one of Fred's collections of gospel songs. 

           Whichever brother wrote this hymn - if either brother did write it - this song was forgotten until it was rediscovered in the late 1950s when youth groups, Sunday School classes, and Vacation Bible Schools started singing it again.

           May the words of Psalm 89:1 and this classic chorus remind us to sing of the Lord's many mercies to us as we face the many challenges of this day.  And may we share them with all that we contact, especially our children and grandchildren.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, 

I will sing, I will sing, 

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, 

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord. 

With my mouth will I make known 

Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness, 

With my mouth will I make known 

Thy faithfulness to all generations,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, 

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord. 

Listen to it here.   MERCIES