HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION (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.

 

          In Matthew 7, Jesus gives the illustration of the wise man who built his house on the rock, a sure foundation, and when the storms came the house on the rock stood firm.  But the foolish man built his house upon the shifting sands and when the storm came it collapsed. 

          Today we live in a society where many deny that there are any absolutes in life.  People just do what they think is right in their own eyes and they build their lives on the shifting sand.  And when the storms arise, they have no hope for today or tomorrow. Too many reject the firm foundation of the absolutes and truth revealed to us in the Bible.  

          This week's hymn reminds us of the only true, solid foundation for our lives.  For over two centuries this hymn has been a favorite and solid reminder for many.  It was General Robert E. Lee's favorite hymn and was included in his funeral service as it was in the funerals of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.  President Andrew Jackson called for it to be sung on his deathbed. 

          On Christmas Eve 1898, American units involved in the Spanish-American War joined together to sing the hymn. The units were from the North and the South.  But as popular as it has been, its authorship is unknown.  It was first published in 1787 in Dr. John Rippon's Selection of Hymns and for many years people thought he had written it.  But Rippon attributed the authorship simply to "K--."  Later some studies showed that this may have meant R. Keene who was once a song leader in Dr. Rippon's church.  But nobody knows for sure.  

          However, no matter who wrote it, the words have been an inspiration to many.  They remind us of the need to make the truth of the Scriptures our firm foundation of the Christian life.  The verses reflect the application of Scripture to our lives.  In verse two we are reminded of His presence and His promise to strengthen us and uphold us.  It echoes Isaiah 41:10. Verse three reminds us of His presence when we walk through the deep waters which will come our way.  Verse four reminds us of the fiery trials in which He will protect us and refine us.  These verses reflect Isaiah 43:2. The final verse is a commitment to rest upon the Lord despite all the critics who will try to convince us otherwise and take away our victory.  

          May the teachings and truth and absolutes of the Bible, God's guidebook to us, be the firm foundation that we built our lives upon.  Matthew 7:25, "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

          Here are the five verses that are generally included in hymnbooks and sung today.

 

(1)    How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

 

(2)   Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

 

(3)   When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

 

(4)    When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

 

(5)   The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to its foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

 

Apparently, there were two other verses written and sometimes are included.  I especially like the second one since as I am getting older is a great reminder that God is still there as our foundation and that he will continue to care and protect us in the storms that seniors in particular face.

 

In every condition, in sickness, in health;

In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth;

At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,

As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

 

Even down to old age all My people shall prove

My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

 

Listen to it here.  LISTEN

I THEN SHALL LIVE

          Francis Schaeffer wrote a book in 1776 that posed the question "How Should We Then Live?"  It raised questions that had been considered and debated by many.
          One of those challenged by this book was Gloria Gaither.  Over the years the question presented itself to her as a serious Christian, as a young parent, as an American, and as a citizen of the world community.  How would Jesus ask us to live given the culture and circumstances – both personal and global – in which we were living out our lives?
          Having always loved the music "Finlandia" written by Jean Sibelius, she sat down one day in the 80's to listen to what she felt it was saying to her.  This is sometimes a difficult task when a piece of music has been the setting for other familiar texts, but as she listened it seemed the music was saying, "I then shall live as one who's been forgiven…"
          If she wrote that line, what would follow?  How does one live forgiven?  Certainly, gratitude would be the first response.  But what then?  What would be the "living out" part of being treated with grace?
          As the music played, she wrote quickly what she felt the Spirit was dictating to her soul.  When the words were on the page, she read them and had to admit that these were words easier to write than to faithfully live out in all areas of her life on a daily basis.  Again, Francis Schaeffer's questions had intersected with her life and she was held accountable to answer, not just with words, but with her days.
          The song found its way into choral arrangements and hymnals,  If we could all begin to believe that each of us is "where the buck stops" if the world is ever to be changed by the beautiful message of redemption – not just in what we say, but in who we truly are –something amazing could happen.
           According to Gloria, The problems of the world are huge: hunger, war, crime, betrayal, devastation.  The issues each of us deal with as individuals are huge:  inadequacies, past failures, wasted opportunities, physical limitations, financial reversals, broken relationships.  If we looked at the problems of the world and our own personal challenges as a whole, we would be paralyzed by the immensity of it all.  How could we possibly change anything? 
          But we can take on this day.  We can affect the lives around us where we are.  We can choose our attitudes toward those with which we interact.  We can forgive today's offenses, live gratefully today, rejoice in the progress we've made so far.  We can choose to live outward toward those who are in need in our neighborhood, extended family, pockets of poverty in our area.  And we can do what we do today as "unto the Lord" with no "keeping track" or ulterior motives.
          In time things will change – in ourselves and in our world.

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven.

I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.

I know my name is clear before my Father; 

I am His child and I am not afraid.

So, greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother;

The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion.

I've been so loved, that I'll risk loving too.

I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;

I'll dare to see another's point of view.

And when relationships demand commitment,

Then I'll be there to care and follow through.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;

Your power and glory, let them shine through me.

Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,

And may Your living Kingdom come in me.

The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,

And may You feed a hungry world through me.

Amen, Amen, Amen

 

Listen to it here.    SHALL LIVE

 

  

A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM

          The past few weeks have been very difficult for many living in the United States.  Huge hurricanes, tornados and floods have devastated many areas, taking homes, roads, bridges and property.  Many have also lost their lives from these storms and have been forced to flee to find shelter.

          And there are many others today who don't make the headlines as they also struggle for shelter in the onslaught of their personal storms whether they be physical, financial, job related, family related or emotional battles.   For example, this week a good friend of mine was moved to hospice as his cancer got worse.  (NOTE - My friend, John, passed into eternity on Thursday.)

          These storms happen to all of us in varying degrees throughout our life and we need a rock, a shelter, a defense to depend upon in these weary, troubling times.  The Psalmist, like us, faced these storms himself and his writings have been a comfort to many of us over the years.  

          "To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock" (Ps. 28:1). "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Ps. 18:2). "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved …. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" (Ps. 62:2, 7). "The LORD has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge" (Ps. 94:22).  

          Vernon J. Charlesworth (1838 - 1915) was a British pastor who later became administrator of Charles Spurgeon's orphanage.  He wrote the words to this week's hymn choice in 1880 based on Psalms 32:7, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Someone then set his words to music. 

         Ira D. Sankey later composed the familiar tune to the hymn. According to his account, "I found this hymn in a small paper published in London, called "The Postman." It was said to be a favorite song of the fishermen on the north coast of England, and they were often heard singing it as they approached their harbours in the time of storm. As the hymn was set to a weird minor tune, I decided to compose one that would be more practical, one that could be more easily sung by the people."  

          And so, thanks to Charlesworth and Sankey, we have this wonderful hymn which has been a favorite and a help to thousands over the past century.  Now I don't know what storm you might be going through today. It might seem hopeless and devastating. While I've shared this before in my blog, I feel it is appropriate to share it again with recent events.

          I would encourage you to put your trust and confidence in the Lord today.  He will be your strength, defense and shelter in the toughest of storms.  He will be a Rock in a truly weary land.  Our shelter in the time of storm.  Meditate on these words this week and claim them as your hope and confidence.

 

1      The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

 

2     A Shade by day, Defense by night,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

No fears alarm, no foes affright,

A Shelter in the time of storm. 

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

 

3      The raging storms may round us beat,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

We'll never leave our safe retreat,

A Shelter in the time of storm. 

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

 

4      O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Be Thou our Helper ever near,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -

A Shelter in the time of storm.

 

Listen to this hymn here.   LISTEN

 

THE LONGER I SERVE HIM

This is a feature where once each month 

I share one of my personal favorite hymns.

 

          The older I grow the more I love to appreciate the hymns that talk about heaven and the hymns that talk about God's continued care for His children as they age.  He has promised never to leave us and He never has.  And each year He grows sweeter to those who trust Him.

          Recently a local radio station was playing programs from the past and they played an old recording of "The Old Fashioned Revival Hour". After Rudy Atwood's traditional piano opening, the choir sang this week's hymn. I hadn't heard it in years but I sang along and thought how true the words really were not only years ago, but even more so, today. 

          No matter how long you have served the Lord, I hope that this is also your testimony. If you have found this true you can understand why it is one of my favorites.  Unfortunately, it seems to have gotten lost with all the new music which have become favorites today. That is sad.  We need music with this message today.

          I understand that the lyrics and music were written by Leila N. Morris (1862-1929). She became blind in her early fifties, but that didn't keep her from writing. I am told that she had a 28-foot long blackboard with large music staff lines. Using this special board she was able to see enough to help her write hymns. In all she wrote more than 1,000 hymn texts as well as many of the tunes. Her handicap didn't keep her from doing this and being productive for God. 

          This hymn was first copyrighted in 1912 and the stanzas were originally for soprano and alto duet. But arrangements for full four part harmony were made by the Lillenas Publishing Company. Even with her blindness, Mrs. Morris found that her Lord did become sweeter to her as the years went by. 

          Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter, sweeter as the years go by. May this also be your experience.  May it always be true, no matter how many years go by.

 

1. Of Jesus' love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;

Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;

Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,

And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

 

2. He trod in old Judea life's pathway long ago;

The people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know;

He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see;

And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

 

3. 'Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,

To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;

With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,

Till Heav'n and earth reecho with our Redeemer's praise.

Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by,

Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter,

Sweeter as the years go by.

 

I often have difficulty finding videos of many of these old hymns. I finally found a video for this hymn, but it is just an instrumental rendition accompanied by the words. So sing along as you recall this hymn.

  LISTEN