O SACRED HEAD NOW WOUNDED

          Over the centuries many hymns have been written on the topic of the Crucifixion and Resurrection.  One of these shares explicitly the suffering of Jesus and the resulting effects upon the lives of believers.  "O Sacred Head" is a hymn for Holy Week, a time of reflection on what Christ has done for us. Specifically, this hymn takes place at the time of the crucifixion on Good Friday. 

          The true origins of this hymn, "O sacred head, now wounded", are still debated. Some sources suggest the 11th century, while others attribute the text to Arnulf of Louvain (1091-1251) in the 13th century.  Still others believe that the source is later still because the poem first appeared in an anonymous Latin manuscript from the 14th century.   The Latin text consisted of seven parts, identifying a different part of the body (feet, knees, hands, sides, breast, heart and head), intended to be sung each day of Holy Week. 

          Prevailing thought attributes the text to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153), who was a spiritual leader held in the highest esteem by many, including Martin Luther.  But is also often attributed to the Medieval poet Arnulf of Leuven (died 1250).   The poem was translated into German by the Lutheran hymnist Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676). He reworked the Latin version to suggest a more personal contemplation of the events of Christ's death on the cross.  it is the closing section which has become best known, and is sung as a hymn in its own right. The German hymn begins with "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden".

          Since then it has been translated and modified many times with different variations of the title.  It originally had eight verses but today published lyrics have three or four verses.

          But no matter who wrote it or revised it, the words are powerful and should be meaningful to all believers.  We should remember how His sacred head was wounded, how it was gorged with thorns, how He was weighed down with the sins of man, how He suffered and was shamed ... all for us, for our gain.  We deserved this punishment.  What an indescribable sacrifice.          

         Can you claim as the writer says, "I joy to call thee mine" ?    And is it your desire that "what language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest Friend"?   And finally, is it your prayer "Oh, make me thine forever, and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to thee."

          May this ancient hymn challenge you during this Easter season.

1   O sacred Head, now wounded,

with grief and shame weighed down,

now scornfully surrounded

with thorns, thine only crown!

O sacred Head, what glory,

what bliss till now was thine!

Yet, though despised and gory,

I joy to call thee mine.

2    What thou, my Lord, hast suffered

was all for sinners' gain.

Mine, mine was the transgression,

but thine the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall, my Savior!

'Tis I deserve thy place.

Look on me with thy favor,

and grant to me thy grace.

3    What language shall I borrow

to thank thee, dearest Friend,

for this, thy dying sorrow,

thy pity without end?

Oh, make me thine forever,

and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never

outlive my love to thee.

Some include the following as a fourth verse.

Be near when I am dying,

oh, show thy cross to me,

and for my rescue, flying,

come, Lord, and set me free!

These eyes, new faith receiving,

from Jesus shall not move,

for one who dies believing

dies safely, through thy love.

I also found some lyrics that use the following as a fourth verse.

Be Thou my consolation,

 my shield when I must die;

Remind me of Thy passion 

when my last hour draws nigh.

Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, 

upon Thy cross shall dwell,

My heart by faith enfolds Thee. 

Who dieth thus dies well.

Listen to it here.   WOUNDED

SAVIOR LEAD ME

          It is so sad to hear of Christian leaders who fall into temptation and lose their testimony and ministry.  And it has happened too often over the years.  Take King David for instance - "A man after God's own heart."  And yet he gave into the temptation of lust and it led to even more sin.

          But we don't need to be a well known person or a leader to face temptations and give into them.  It can happen to each of us.  And that is why daily we should pray the message of this hymn, "Savior, lead me lest I stray, gently lead me all the way."

          The text and tune of this hymn were written by Frank M. Davis (1839 - 1896) in 1880.  During his life Davis traveled extensively in Maryland, New York, Ohio and Michigan.  A teacher of voice and instrumental classes, he had charge of choirs in various places and was known as a fine soloist. He wrote hymns for Sunday schools and for the temperance movement.  He never married.  He wrote this song on a steamer on Chesapeake Bay while bound for Baltimore.

          In the first verse Davis asks the Lord to lead us that we might not stray.  The second verse asks the Lord to lead us in safety.  And in the final verse he asks the Lord to lead us until the storm of life is past.  Lead us till we reach the land of endless day where all tears are washed away.  What an amazing future believers have.

          This short old hymn is a great reminder of how believers need to be led daily by the Savior.  We need the safety of being by His side and being led by Him every moment of every day.  May this be our challenge, our desire and our daily prayer.

1     Savior, lead me lest I, stray,

Gently lead me all the way;

I am safe when by thy side,

I would in thy love abide.

Refrain:

Lead me, lead me.

Savior, lead me lest I stray;

Gently down the stream of time,

Lead me, Savior, all the way.

2     Thou the refuge of my soul,

When life's stormy billows roll;

I am safe when thou art nigh,

All my hopes on thee rely. 

Refrain:

Lead me, lead me.

Savior, lead me lest I stray;

Gently down the stream of time,

Lead me, Savior, all the way.

3     Savior, lead me, then at last,

When the storm of life is past;

To the land of endless day,

Where all tears are wiped away. 

Refrain:

Lead me, lead me.

Savior, lead me lest I stray;

Gently down the stream of time,

Lead me, Savior, all the way.

Listen to it here    LEAD ME

ANYWHERE WITH JESUS

         Jessie Brown Pounds (1861-1921)  was not in good health when she was a child so she was taught at home. She began to write verses for the Cleveland newspapers and religious weeklies when she was fifteen. After an editor of a collection of her verses noted that some of them would be well suited for church or Sunday School hymns, J. H. Fillmore wrote to her asking her to write some hymns for a book he was publishing. She then regularly wrote hymns for Fillmore Brothers. 

          When a memorable phrase would come to her, she would write it down in her notebook and a couple months later she would write out an entire hymn. She is the author of nine books, about fifty librettos for cantatas and operettas and of nearly four hundred hymns. Her hymn "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" was sung at President McKinley's funeral.

          In 1866, Daniel Towner was working with evangelist Dwight L. Moody in some meetings in Binghamton, New York. One evening, Mr. Moody preached a powerful sermon, picturing Christ as the Captain of our lives, saying that we could therefore go anywhere with Him, confident that the Lord would see us through.  Inspired by the message, Towner thought to himself, "There ought to be a song written with that theme." With that, he sat down and composed a melody, trying to put into the notes something of how he felt. Towner then contacted Pounds and told her that he wanted words to say, "Anywhere with Jesus." This hymn, with a later addition, was the result.

          Somewhere between 1910 and 1920, most likely around 1915, two more stanzas were added by Helen Cadbury Alexander Dixon to give this hymn a more "missionary" flavor.  Heiress to the Cadbury chocolate fortune, she turned her back on wealth and social standing to be a humble servant of Christ.   Not only is this hymn somewhat unusual, being the work of two authors, it was also written backward. That is, Daniel Towner wrote the music first. That in itself is not unique. Often, for example, a composer would bring a tune to Fanny Crosby and ask her to write words to fit it.

          Over the years "Anywhere With Jesus"  became a familiar hymn of dedication in missionary and revival services.  Counting all five stanzas and their refrains, the word "anywhere" is  repeated twenty-seven times. Some are called by God to minister to their families, in their community, and in their local church. Others are called to go to distant places, even to other lands, and serve among those with a dramatically different culture.  But the point being addressed is that, as disciples of Christ, we ought to be prepared to go anywhere and do any work the Master assigns to us.  And we can go wherever the Lord leads us with the full assurance that He will be with us, and that we will know His wise and loving care, wherever we are.  Because of Jesus's presence in our lives we have nothing to fear.

          Since the Lord has promised to be with us even to the end of the world, as long as we follow His will, we should be willing to go "Anywhere With Jesus."

1     Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go,

Anywhere He leads me in this world below.

Anywhere without Him, dearest joys would fade;

Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.

Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

2     Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone,

Other friends may fail me, He is still my own.

Though His hand may lead me over dreary way,

Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

3     Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep,

When the darkling shadows round about me creep

Knowing I shall waken never more to roam,

Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.

Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

These verses were added later.

Anywhere with Jesus I need fear no ill,

Though temptations gather round my pathway still;

He Himself was tempted that He might help me;

Anywhere with Jesus I may victor be.

Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

Anywhere with Jesus, over land and sea,

Telling souls in darkness of salvation free;

Ready as He summons me to go or stay,

Anywhere with Jesus when He points the way

Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

Listen to it here   ANYWHERE

GRACE GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN

          "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe,."  What a beautiful truth for each believer.  The words find a scriptural basis in Paul's teaching of justification by faith in Romans 5:1-2: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

          Julia Harriette Johnston (1849-1919) was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and a mother who was a poet. She began writing when she was nine years old but really started writing verse in high school. Later she authored many books on Christian missions and missionaries, along with about 500 hymn texts,  many of which were published in her books. She was faithful to the ministries of the church, serving in Sunday school for 41 years and also as president, for two decades, of the Presbyterian Missionary Society, an organization founded by her mother. 

          In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the suffrage movement was intensifying in the United States. It was a time when women in many denominations were in the paradoxical position to spread the Good News, but had to be remain quiet while doing it. However, there were women hymn writers, such as Johnston, who decided to ignore this and wrote hymns as social, religious, and biblical commentary. This hymn is a commentary on Romans 5, particularly on Romans 5:20b, which says: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." 

           In this great hymn Johnston contrasts the theme of God's abundant grace - manifest through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross - with "our sin and our guilt" (stanza one), our "sin and despair" (stanza two), and our "dark stain" (stanza three).  The words remind the sinner that despite what has happened in the person's life, God's grace has wiped away all sin through the death of Jesus.  In the second verse she uses the imagery of the "sea waves cold" to describe the effects of sin. While the sinner may indeed be drowning in the vast, bleak, cold ocean with no hope in sight, the grace that poured out on the sinner is greater and deeper than anything else and it leads the sinner "to the refuge, the mighty cross." It does not matter what has happened or what the sinner has done; God's love is greater and is graciously given to those who believe.

          Personally I love the words of the refrain which sum up the message and impact of grace.  It will pardon and cleanse and it is greater than all our sin.  Marvelous, infinite and matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe.  I pray that you have experienced this grace in your life and that your heart is overflowing with the wonder of God's great grace.  And  if you haven't, then the final verse is an invitation for you

1.     Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

2.     Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

3.     Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide;

Whiter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

4.     Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe,

All who are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin

Listen to it here.     GRACE

THE LOVE OF GOD (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A special feature where every few weeks I choose a hymn that I have written about before, 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 January 13, 2011. 

          There are some folks who think that this week's hymn is the greatest hymn ever written. I'm not sure how one would judge that, but it is exceptional with a powerful message. And while we think of love, there is no love that even comes close to God's love for us. 

          This hymn is actually of Jewish origin. The third verse dates back to the 11th Century, and was actually written first: Credit for the hymn itself goes to Frederick M. Lehman, though there are prior authors who contributed to it. The arrangement of Lehman's music was done by his daughter, Claudia L. Mays. 

          Though an author and composer of more than 100 published hymns, most of Lehman's songs are not that well-known. Lehman wrote a pamphlet, in 1948, entitled "History of the Song, The Love of God" which tells about the origin of this beloved hymn.  "While at camp-meeting in a midwestern state, some fifty years ago in our early ministry, an evangelist climaxed his message by quoting the last stanza of this song. The profound depths of the line moved us to preserve the words for future generations. Not until we had come to California did this urge find fulfillment, and that at a time when circumstances forced us to hard manual labor". 

          "One day, during short intervals of inattention to our work, we picked up a scrap of paper and, seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pencil, added the (first) two stanzas and chorus of the song. Since the lines (3rd stanza from the Jewish poem) had been found penciled on the wall of a patient's room in an insane asylum, the general opinion was that this inmate had written the epic in moments of sanity. Actually, the key-stanza (third verse) under question as to its authorship was written nearly one thousand years ago by a Jewish songwriter."  In God's providence these words were brought together to form this wonderful hymn which has spoken to so many over the years.  

          Meditate upon them with a heart full of thanksgiving for God's wonderful love.

1.    The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star

And reaches to the lowest hell.

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled

And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

2.    When years of time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men, who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God's love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam's race-

The saints' and angels' song.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

3.    Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song.

When I think of this hymn I think of hearing George Beverly Shea sing it. I have always loved his special voice and the way he ministered whenever he sang. You can listen to him sing it here. LISTEN

MY SINS ARE BLOTTED OUT

          Merrill Dunlop (1905-2002), the author and composer of this gospel song, gives this account of its origin:

          "It was written in a very few minutes, although only after much deliberation, while I was crossing the Atlantic in 1927 on a liner, The Leviathan, and meditating upon the verses in Micah 7:18, 19 and upon the great dimensions of the sea - the breadth and the depth and what the Bible says about our sins - buried in those depths - removed - blotted out! Then, making it personal, I said: "My sins are blotted out, I know!" The melody came almost simultaneously with the words. I jotted the chorus down aboard the ship, as I walked the deck. Later, in Ireland, I added the words and music to the stanzas. It took hold immediately and quickly spread across America and across the seas."

          Our sins are blotted out and buried.  "Blotted out." is a term that means wiped out, erased, or obliterated. Our sins are completely gone from the record that was against us. After his terrible sins of adultery and murder, David prayed, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions ... Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities" (Ps. 51:1, 9).

          Unfortunately, many Christians have suffered great emotional, mental, and even physical disorders throughout life because they could never accept the fact that God has totally forgiven them. How important it is to realize that when God offers us His forgiveness, it is never a partial but always a total forgiveness - the slate is forever clean."  Psalm 103:12. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John. 1:7).

          Dunlop was educated at Central YMCA College in Chicago and at the Moody Bible Institute.  He played the piano and organ at Moody Church and served as the director of music at the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle.  He is said to have written 700 hymns and Gospel songs.

          This week rejoice in the fact that all of your sins have been blotted out and buried in the deepest sea.  Praise the Lord, you are forgiven!

1.     What a wondrous message in God's Word!

My sins are blotted out, I know!

If I trust in His redeeming blood,

My sins are blotted out, I know!

Chorus

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

They are buried in the depths of the deepest sea:

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

2.     Once my heart was sad, but now what joy.

My sins are blotted out, I know!

I have peace that nothing can destroy,

My sins are blotted out, I know!

Chorus

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

They are buried in the depths of the deepest sea:

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

3.     I shall stand some day before my King,

My sins are blotted out, I know!

With the ransomed host I then shall sing:

My sins are blotted out, I know!

Chorus

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

They are buried in the depths of the deepest sea:

My sins are blotted out, I know! (I know!)

Listen to it here.   BLOTTED OUT

I BELONG TO THE KING

          I am often told that I look and act like my father.  And that is a special complement because my father was a special godly man who I really miss.  I would be thrilled to be half the man that he was.  

         But as honored as I am with those comparisons, nothing can match the knowledge that I belong to the king and I'm a child of His love.  I know that because in 1 John 3:1 we read  "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."

          Ida Lillard Reed/Smith (1865-1951) had a life of burdensome trials and afflictions but despite that she was able to write "I Belong to the King".  Born and reared in the mountains of West Virginia, her life was one long, continuous burden-bearing journey. For many years she was compelled to do heavy and arduous work on their farm.  This she did in support of an invalid and widowed mother.  

          Broken at last by the strenuous toil and challenges, she was sorely afflicted and bedridden for years.  Even then, in her hours of pain, she wrote poems for publishers to eke out a meager living.  She was removed to a hospital as a last resort, in the hope of prolonging her pain-wracked, yet beautiful life.  From her hospital bed of pain, she wrote the words of this poem.  "I Belong to the King" is a golden nugget from the mine of character of one of God's most humble children.   During these years she penned more than 2,000 hymns. 

           When the attention of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers was called to a financial state that was short of life's bare necessities, they voted her a pension with a monthly allowance that banished anxiety, and assured comfort for the rest of her life.

          What at thrill to know that you can be a child of the King of the universe, a King who never forsaketh His own.  He is our refuge no matter what we may face in life, including pandemics.  And His promise is sure that someday we will be called to His palace above and will dwell by His glorified throne.

1      I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,

I shall dwell in His palace so fair;

For He tells of its bliss in yon heaven above,

And His children in splendor shall share.

Chorus:

I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,

And he never forsaketh His own;

He will call me some day to His palace above,

I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

2      I belong to the King, and He loves me I know,

For His mercy and kindness, so free,

Are unceasingly mine wheresoever I go,

And my refuge unfailing is He. 

I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,

And he never forsaketh His own;

He will call me some day to His palace above,

I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

3      I belong to the King, and His promise is sure,

That we all shall be gathered at last

In His kingdom above, by life's waters so pure,

When this life with its trials is past.

I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,

And he never forsaketh His own;

He will call me some day to His palace above,

I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

Listen to it here.   KING

THE NAME OF JESUS

          As I prepare these hymn blogs it becomes very frustrating when I can find little or nothing about the history of a hymn, especially when it is one of my favorite hymns.  And that is the case again this week.  This is a hymn which was sung very often in my church when I was growing up.  The chorus in particular was often sung acapella in our prayer meeting.  At times I can still hear the saints joyfully proclaiming the name of Jesus.. 

          I did find that the hymn was written by William C. Martin (1864-1914) and first published in 1902.  Martin was pastor of the Noank Baptist Church in Noank, Connecticut .. He later served at the East Albany First Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts and then at the First Baptist Church in Ft. Myers, Florida, from 1912 until his death. 

         Martin was a prolific hymn writer,  writing hymns such as My Anchor Holds, He Arose, My Father Watches Over Me, Tell Jesus and Still Sweeter Everyday.   Now while I don't know the circumstances behind the writing of this hymn, the name of Jesus is so important because salvation is found in no other name.  Acts 4:12 tells us "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  Believers should love to hear the name of Jesus because at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue should confess.  (Philippians 2:9-10)

           Martin's hymn reminds us of how worthy of praise the name of Jesus really is.  In verse one he reminds us that the name of Jesus brings joy.  In verse two, the name of Jesus brings comfort.  The third verse shares that His name brings cheer and verse four tells that it brings sweetness.

           This week let's reflect upon the name of Jesus and what it means to us.  Let's share in Martin's request, "Jesus, let all saints proclaim its worthy praise forever."  Praise His wonderful name!

1.     The name of Jesus is so sweet,

I love its music to repeat;

It makes my joys full and complete,

The precious name of Jesus!

Refrain:

"Jesus," oh, how sweet the name!

"Jesus," every day the same;

"Jesus," let all saints proclaim

Its worthy praise forever!

2.     I love the name of Him whose heart

Knows all my griefs and bears a part;

Who bids all anxious fears depart,

I love the name of Jesus!

Refrain:

"Jesus," oh, how sweet the name!

"Jesus," every day the same;

"Jesus," let all saints proclaim

Its worthy praise forever!

3.     That name I fondly love to hear,

It never fails my heart to cheer;

Its music dries the falling tear,

Exalt the name of Jesus!

Refrain:

"Jesus," oh, how sweet the name!

"Jesus," every day the same;

"Jesus," let all saints proclaim

Its worthy praise forever!

4.     No word of man can ever tell

How sweet the name I love so well;

Oh, let its praises ever swell,

Oh, praise the name of Jesus!

Refrain:

"Jesus," oh, how sweet the name!

"Jesus," every day the same;

"Jesus," let all saints proclaim

Its worthy praise forever!

You can listen to it here.   NAME

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