IF WE COULD SEE BEYOND TODAY. (TH)

        TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2014.

 

          The older that I become the more that I have learned to thank the Lord daily for another day and ask for His strength and guidance for the new day.  I've also learned to thank Him that He knows my tomorrows and will provide the strength and grace for all that might happen then.  For we never know what a day may bring.  But He does.  

          I've often wondered if I would really want to know what lies ahead.  It might be good if it were something like a promotion, a special healing, a victory of some type or something good like that. It might even help explain to us our present trials, especially if they had a good outcome.  

          But what if it were the knowledge of an unexpected sudden death of a family member or friend ... or an announcement of cancer ... or the loss of a job, income or savings ... or a rejection of some type ... or an accident?  Then we would worry and fret and probably fail to trust God fully for tomorrow. We would miss the blessings of today. 

          This hymn reminds us "But God in love a veil doth throw across our way. We cannot see what lies before, And, so we cling to Him the more."  And we do have God's promises that He will never leave us or forsake us and that He works all things together for good for those in His family.  And He has promised to prepare a place for us in heaven where there will be no more tears or sufferings and we will be with Him there eternally.  

          These truths are shared in Norman Clayton's (1902 - 1992) beautiful hymn.  A church organist for five decades, Clayton played the organ for Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life rallies in New York City, and worked as a writer-editor for the Rodeheaver Company.  Clayton said that his usual practice was to write the music first before the words. He felt that it was vitally important that every song he wrote be biblically based.  He actually produced some 30 books of gospel songs and wrote many of the familiar songs and choruses that were sung in the last part of the last century. 

          There is also some difference of opinion on whether Clayton wrote both the text and music for this hymn.  Some sources say that the words were written by an anonymous author and others, including hymnbooks say Clayton wrote both.  Now if he wrote the words to this song, I do not know what led him to write them. But, I can only imagine that he, like most of us, experienced events that just seemed to have no purpose.  And when that happens, we can't help but wonder why.  Why would God allow our friend to be taken home so early in life?  Why would we be overtaken by such a dreaded disease at this point in our life?   Why would a loving God allow these worldwide events to happen?   

          And on and on we go with our questions.  And there are often no answers now.  But we know that God is in control and until that day when we understand His actions, we cling to Him the more and we trust and obey.  

          Maybe today you are perplexed and questioning God about events.  Be encouraged by the truth of this gospel song and rest in His grace and goodness this week.

 

(1)     If we could see beyond today

As God can see,

If all the clouds should roll away,

The shadows flee;

O'er present griefs we would not fret, 

Each sorrow we would soon forget,

For many joys are waiting yet

For you and me.

 

(2)     If we could know beyond today

As God doth know,

Why dearest treasures pass away,

And tears must flow;

And why the darkness leads to light,

Why dreary days will soon grow bright, 

Some day life's wrong will be made right,

Faith tells us so.

 

(3)    If we could see, if we could know

We often say,

But God in love a veil doth throw

Across our way.

We cannot see what lies before,

And so we cling to Him the more,

He leads us till this life is o'er,

Trust and obey.

 

Listen to it being sung here.    LISTEN

IN CHRIST ALONE

          There are some powerful worship songs being written and introduced to congregations in this generation.  One of these, "In Christ Alone", written in 2002, was a collaborative effort between Stuart Townend and fellow songwriter Keith Getty. 
          Keith Getty (b. December 16, 1974) is a world-renowned modern hymn writer. Keith developed a passion for writing good songs for the church in his twenties, and began writing for his small Baptist church. He writes and performs with his wife, Kristyn, and they regularly tour the United States and the United Kingdom. 
          Stuart Townend (b. 1963) grew up in West Yorkshire, England, the youngest son of an Anglican vicar. He started learning piano at a young age, and began writing music at age 22. He has produced albums for Keith Routledge and Vinesong, among many others, and has also released eight solo albums to date. Some of his better-known songs include "How Deep the Father's Love," "The King of Love," and "The Power of the Cross." He continues to work closely with friends Keith and Kristyn Getty, and is currently a worship leader in Church of Christ the King in Brighton, where he lives with wife Caroline, and children Joseph, Emma and Eden.
          "This song came about in an unusual way," Townend explains. "Keith and I met in the autumn of 2000 at a worship event, and we resolved to try to work together on some songs. A few weeks later Keith sent some melody ideas, and the first one on the CD was a magnificent, haunting melody that I loved, and immediately started writing down some lyrical ideas on what I felt should be a timeless theme commensurate with the melody. So, the theme of the life, death, resurrection of Christ, and the implications of that for us just began to tumble out, and when we got together later on to fine tune it, we felt we had encapsulated what we wanted to say."
          Often attributed as "one of the best modern examples of storytelling conveying the power of the gospel", In Christ Alone was co-written, Stuart on the lyric side and Getty focusing on the melody and music. What resulted from this new found collaboration was a song that epitomised praise and worship covering the Attributes of God, Actions of God and our response for all Christ has done. 
          In an interview with Christian Music Today, Getty says "I struggled to understand and fully embrace my faith amid an unbelieving, universalist, and multi-religious culture (when growing up in Durham, England). It was a journey to believe in the uniqueness of Christ, the Scriptures and the gospel story. By the time I came through this, my faith was stronger, and I really wanted to write songs for the Church that brought the full, rich, life-giving story of the gospel into believers' hearts and minds. I then had the privilege of connecting with songwriter Stuart Townend, who had penned the hymn "How Deep the Father's Love for Us." When we first met, there wasn't an immediate personal connection. But we said, "Let's write one song." I knew I wanted the song to be story-driven, so I said, "Let's do a song that tells the whole story of Christ coming to earth-the whole gospel story in one song. Let's have as many verses as we want, and let's just go for it.""
         A few weeks later Getty sent Stuart some melody ideas, the first of which, penned on the back of electricity bill as a 25 year old, was a magnificent, haunting melody that Stuart loved, and he immediately started writing down some lyrical ideas on what they wanted to say, covering the life, death, resurrection of Christ and the implications of this on our lives. Throughout this process was a deep desire to dig deep into the meaning of God's word and express it in poetic and memorable way, so that the truths of His word would remain in our minds. So that the truth about God and who we are in Him remains central to our lives as believers.
         As the lyrics came to life, Stuart became all the more excited because it places our hope, our assurance, our eternal destiny in the right place - on the solid foundation of Christ. He knew in his own life he needed reminding continually not to live by his feelings or his circumstances, but by the unchanging truth of the gospel. It was an undeniable statement of the power of Christ to sustain us in this life They finally got together, and after some fine-tuning, In Christ Alone was born. A song abounding in biblical truths.
          As you study these words, be reminded of the impact of the power of Christ on your life.  Thank Him and praise Him as the One who provided this power for you.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Listen to it here.    ALONE

https://youtu.be/h2ld1wI2hT8?si=1KRKNaA5BwD9mCpM 

NO HIGHER CALLING. - "classic chorus"

            There are a few choruses that continue to come back to my mind at various times when either I have a perplexing need or I am burdened for a friend who is facing a challenging situation.  There are times like this that I am reminded of my need to fall at the feet of Jesus and seek His face.
            These times also remind me of the honor that is mine to do this.  I am reminded of His glory and mercy and my need to worship Him.

            "No Higher Calling" is a powerful and inspiring song often sung by Promise Keepers that touches the hearts of many with its profound lyrics and captivating melody. This song holds a deep meaning that resonates with listeners, reminding them of their purpose and calling in life.

            The opening lines, "Down at Your feet, oh Lord, is the most high place," set the tone for the entire song. It humbly acknowledges that God is the highest authority and that surrendering to Him is the way to find our true purpose. It emphasizes the importance of putting our trust in Him and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives.  
          As the song progresses, it speaks of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, reminding us of His unconditional love and the redemption that is available to all who choose to follow Him. It encourages us to embrace this love and dedicate our lives to His service, proclaiming that "there is no higher calling, no greater honor than to bow and kneel before Your throne."
            While the specific inspiration or story behind the song is not readily available, the essence of the song aligns with the core teachings of Christianity. The lyrics reflect the biblical truth that God deserves our highest praise and worship. It is likely that the song was birthed out of a desire to express adoration and surrender to God in a profound and meaningful way.   
          Psalm 95:6 (NKJV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."  Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV): "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
            

Down at Your feet, Oh Lord, 

is the most high place; 

in Your presence, Lord, 

I seek Your face, I seek your face. 

 There is no higher calling, 

no greater honor 

than to bow and kneel 

before Your throne. 

I'm amazed at Your glory, 

embraced by Your mercy, 

Oh Lord, I live to worship You. 

You can listen to it here.       CALLING

 

 

WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM

          Have you ever been struck by the beauty of a colorful sunrise or sunset?  Did you ever think that this could be the setting of the Lord's return?  This was the situation which stirred Dottie Rambo to compose this week's song.
           Rambo and a fellow musician were leaving their motel for a seven-mile trip to the sight of a concert when suddenly they saw an unusually beautiful sunset. She said there were "colors that I had never seen in my lifetime." She thought of the wonderful prospect of Jesus, "coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matt. 24:30).  The Lord said "be still I want to give you something special."  It was all she could do to drive as she began to compose the words during those seven miles, He allowed her to write this beautiful song.
          The first time that Sandi Patti heard this song was on a demo tape and she was immediately mesmerized by it.  She played the demo for her arranger, David Clydesdale at their next meeting. They were sitting at her little spinet piano, talking about that song.  And while they sat there, he started adding the orchestration. Two hours later, it was done.  He wrote it right there on the spot and the next day the musicians were playing it.
          Rambo was an American gospel singer and songwriter.  She was a Grammy winning solo artist and multiple Dove award winning artist.  She wrote more than 2,500 songs.
          At age eight, she started writing songs while sitting on a creek bank near her Morganfield, Kentucky home.  She had the support of her mother and father, and by age ten she was singing and playing country music cover tunes on a local radio program.   At twelve years old, she became a born-again Christian and made a commitment to write and sing Christian music. The decision turned out to be pivotal in more than one way; it did not sit well with her father who gave her an ultimatum – give up Christian music or leave. She left home and went on the road, with her first engagement being at a church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She formed a trio called the Gospel Echoes and traveled throughout the midwestern and southern United States. Along with ex-husband Buck and daughter Reba, she later formed the award-winning southern Gospel group, The Rambos.
            On May 11, 2008, while on her tour bus heading to Texas for a Mother's Day concert, Rambo's tour bus crashed, killing her instantly. The crash took place in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. The other 6 passengers survived with injuries, including her manager Larry Ferguson and his family.
          This song reminds us of that glorious time when Christians will finally see the Lord face to face when they are raptured and taken home.  Now I must admit that I think Rambo mixes some facts of the Lord's rapture and His second coming.  But that doesn't change the effect we will experience when we finally behold him face to face. And, that could even happen today.  Are you ready?
          Listen to it here.   BEHOLD HIM

The sky shall unfold

Preparing His entrance

The stars shall applaud Him

With thunders of praise

The sweet light in His eyes, shall enhance those awaiting

And we shall behold Him, then face to face

O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him

Face to face in all of His glory

O we shall behold Him, yes we shall behold Him

Face to face, our Savior and Lord

The angel will sound, the shout of His coming

And the sleeping shall rise, from there slumbering place

And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment

And we shall behold him, then face to face

We shall behold Him, o yes we shall behold Him

Face to face in all of His glory

We shall behold Him, face to face

Our Savior and Lord

We shall behold Him, our Savior and Lord

Savior and Lord!

 

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS LIKE JESUS

This is a feature where once each month 

I share one of my personal favorite hymns.

 

          All of us go through periods when we feel all alone and think nobody seems to care.  The problems seem so heavy and we wish that we just had somebody who could help us through the fog that we face.  The difficult times in which we live have brought new, heavy tensions -   unemployment, bills, mortgages, illnesses, family struggles, fears, terrorism, loss of freedoms, uncertainty - heavy burdens to bear.  

          And every year we start afresh hoping that things will change for the better.  But we live in a sinful world where problems are not going to vanish even if we make good "resolutions".  

          A hymn by John Peterson (1921– 2006) has often been a comfort to me when I have faced these seemingly "impossible" pressures.  Incidentally, back when I used to sing solos, this was the first hymn that I sang with a taped background - in fact it was the first time any soloist used a background tape in our church.  So it does have a special meaning for me

          Mr. Peterson wrote this hymn in the early years of his ministry.  Here is his account of how it was written. "At one time I had a fairly responsible position with a well-known gospel ministry. One day a supervisory position opened up in my department. I was led to believe that I was to be promoted to this position. I was thrilled and challenged by the prospect of a new job. But I was by-passed, and a man from the outside was brought in to fill the position.  There followed days of agonizing heart searching. It was all I could do to keep from becoming bitter. 

          One night I had occasion to spend an evening with the man who was brought in for "my" position. For some reason or other, though otherwise a very pleasant fellow, that night he became quite caustic in some of his remarks to me; and I was deeply hurt.   Later that evening, after returning home, I was sitting in our living room thinking about the events of the past days and about the bitter experiences of that evening. I began to feel very alone and forsaken. Suddenly, I sensed the presence of the Lord in an unusual way and my mind was diverted from my difficulties to His faithfulness and sufficiency. 

          Soon the thought occurred to me that He fully understood and sympathized with my situation.  In fact, no one could ever completely understand or care as did He. Before long, the idea for the song came and I began to write."  Since then. this hymn and its truth have been a special comfort to me as well as to untold scores of believers. 

         Yes, Jesus is a friend who will never leave us or forsake us.  He is our only true friend.  May the words of this song encourage you during the days ahead.  Cast your every care on Him.

 

1.     No one understands like Jesus.
He's a friend beyond compare;
Meet Him at the throne of mercy;
He is waiting for you there.
No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim;
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus--
Cast your ev'ry care on Him!

 

2.     No one understands like Jesus;
Ev'ry woe He sees and feels;
Tenderly He whispers comfort,
And the broken heart He heals.
No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim;
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus--
Cast your ev'ry care on Him!

 

3.     No one understands like Jesus
When the foes of life assail;
You should never be discouraged;
Jesus cares and will not fail!
No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim;
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus--
Cast your ev'ry care on Him!

 

4.     No one understands like Jesus
When you falter on the way;
Tho' you fail Him, sadly fail Him,
He will pardon you today.
No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim;
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus--
Cast your ev'ry care on Him!

 

Listen to this beautiful hymn sung here.    

 

A solo   LISTEN1

A choir   LISTEN2