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Christ Be Beside Me

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Words: attributed to Patrick (b. circa 387; d. circa 461); English adaptation, James Dominick Quinn (b. Apr. 21, 1919; d. Apr. 8, 2010)
Music: Bunessan, a Gaelic tune first published in 1888, in Lachlan Macbean’s Songs and Hymns of the Gael.

Note: To Patrick, the famed missionary to Ireland, is attributed St. Patrick’s Breastplate, called a Lorica, or prayer for protection. (Hence the use of the word breastplate, a protection for the heart, as in Ephesians 6:14). The poem is contained in the ancient Book of Armagh, along with Patrick’s authentic confession.

In 1889, hymn writer Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) produced a lengthy versification of the whole prayer (see St. Patrick’s Breastplate). James Quinn was a Jesuit scholar. In 1969 he wrote a more focused adaptation of one part of the original. The old melody Bunessan has also been used with Eleanor Farjeon’s hymn Morning Has Broken.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

Patrick was the well known missionary from Britain, called of God to serve among the people of Ireland. He was at least a third generation Christian, the son of a church deacon. Early in his life, he did not follow his parent’s example. But when he was sixteen years old, God got his attention.

Fierce Irish raiders broke through the weak defences of the Romans, and attacked Patrick’s town. He was carried away as a slave, then sold to a warrior chief, and sent to work in Ireland caring for a herd of pigs. Suffering from constant hunger, cold and loneliness, he turned to God for strength, becoming a man of prayer.

Eventually Patrick fled two hundred miles to a southeastern harbour, where he boarded a trade ship, and made it back to Britain. At home, it is said Patrick had a dream of the Irish people calling to him, “Please, holy youth, come and walk with us again.” The experience, if truly reported, echoes a vision the Apostle Paul had. In Paul’s vision, “a man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’” (Acts 16:9). The apostle took it as a message from the Lord.

For Patrick’s part, his heart was moved for the needs of his former captors, and he decided to go back. He took seriously the Lord’s commission: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk. 16:15, ESV).

When he arrived in Ireland, aside from a few small churches, most of the Irish were pagans, worshiping everything from plants to planets. Magic and even human sacrifice was practiced by the Druid priests. Patrick’s strategy was not to take away people’s beliefs in spirits, but to expose these as evil demons, showing that God’s power was greater. He met with stiff opposition, and was constantly in danger of being murdered by the Druids. However, he convinced a local king to tolerate Christianity, and when the king’s brother was converted, Patrick was granted land on which to build a church.

Soon he moved on to other unreached areas. When there was a group of new Christians, he would build a church. He planted many new churches, and baptized many converts. This in spite of the fact that he felt he was uneducated, compared to many with whom he worked, and was often extremely nervous speaking. Women played a large role in the ministry, though Patrick himself was careful not to even accept gifts from women, to avoid any mark on his reputation. He continued ministering for thirty years, and it’s said that Ireland became literate for the first time in his generation.

Patrick’s Confession, was his personal testimony. Calling himself “Patrick the sinner,” he wrote:

“I pray those who believe and fear God, that no one should ever say my ignorance accomplished any small thing that I did in accordance with God’s will. Judge, and let it be truly believed, that it was the gift of God.”

The poem of which he is possibly the author is mainly about the Lord’s protection. In it he prays to be surrounded by Christ. Several English paraphrases or adaptations have been made of all or part of the prayer, included Alexander’s mentioned above. James Quinn’s is more simple and direct.

1) Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me–King of my life.
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me–never to part.

Notice the way the third stanza below expresses the hope that, when others look at him or think of him, the One they will truly be drawn to is the Lord Jesus, because “Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). It is reminiscent of John the Baptist’s declaration about Christ:

“He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so]”.

Jn. 3:30, Amplified Bible

3) Christ be in all hearts thinking about me,
Christ be on all tongues telling of me;
Christ be the vision in eyes that see me,
In ears that hear me Christ ever be.

Questions:

  1. In what ways do you see John’s words being fulfilled in your own life?
  2. How do John’s words relate to the life of a local church?

Links:

Christ Beside Me (Hymnary.org)

Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord

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Words: Psalm 55:22 and 16:8, adapted by Julius Schubring (1806-1889), a pastor friend of Mendelssohn’s, for the composer’s oratorio, Elijah, for which it was translated into English by another friend of the composer’s, William Bartholemew
Music: Felix Mendelssohn (b. Feb. 3, 1809; d. Nov. 9, 1847)

Note: Though Felix Mendelssohn died of a stroke before his thirty-ninth birthday, he has given us a wide range of beautiful music. The oratorio Elijah is a true masterpiece. I encourage you to listen to a recording of it–or better still attend a performance of it if you can. It was first performed in Birmingham, England, August 26th, 1846. The composer had written to Julius Schubring who worked on the original text:

“The personages should act and speak like living beings–for heaven’s sake let them not be a musical picture, but a real world, such as you find in every chapter of the Old Testament.”

There is, in the Cyber Hymnal page (see link below) on the composer, a wonderful story about him, which is given a striking and practical spiritual application. Worth reading.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

Our traditional hymns and gospel songs were written over a period of twenty centuries, by hundreds of men and women, who represent a broad spectrum of religious beliefs.

During that long period it has not been unusual for the world’s greatest classical composers to contribute to the music used with our hymns. In some cases, one of their compositions has been adapted to make a hymn tune. Other times they wrote the melody specifically for the purpose. While it is going too far to suggest that these men were all evangelical, born again Christians, each had a strong sense of the presence and power of God in the world.

Among the masters of music whose names are found in many of our hymn books are: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), George Frederick Handel (1685-1759), Franz Joseph Haydn (1737-1806), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), and Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847).

Several of these composers also created what are called oratorios. An oratorio is a long musical composition, usually based on Scripture or a religious theme, and involving solo voices, a choir, and an orchestra. An oratorio differs from an opera in that it’s performed without action, costumes, or scenery. Handel’s Messiah from 1741 is the most familiar and perhaps the most sublime example. Over more than two hours, it covers the life of Christ with moving and memorable music.

The greatest oratorio of the nineteenth century, Elijah, was created by Felix Mendelssohn. He was the son of wealthy Jewish parents who had put their faith in Christ, and Felix himself was a dedicated Christian. He married Cecile, a pastor’s daughter and a great woman of prayer, and the couple had five children. For Mendelssohn, the Bible was the cornerstone of daily life, and much of his music found its inspiration there.

His use of the Bible in Elijah was, however, slightly different from what we see in Handel’s Messiah. Handel’s oratorio uses passages precisely quoted from both Old Testament and New that directly relate to Christ, either prophetically or in the story of His life. But Mendelssohn’s Elijah, while setting the prophet’s life to music, as it’s recorded in First Kings chapter 17 through Second Kings chaper 2, inserts passages of commentary here and there, Bible verses from outside the story that help us understand it.

In Elijah’s day, Israel was ruled by the idolatrous King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. The latter, in particular, was responsible for leading the nation into Baal worship. Elijah’s confrontation on Mount Carmel with four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal is one of the most dramatic scenes in all of Scripture (I Kgs. 18:17-40), and Mendelssohn’s surpassing skill as a composer gives it an effective musical setting of exhilarating power.

Elijah’s appeal to the Lord on that occasion is taken right from the passage: “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word” (I Kgs. 18:36). According to inspired Scripture, Elijah spoke those words. But what comes next is not from the passage itself.

As though to encourage Elijah, who stood alone in the conflict, a quartet of voices, representing angels, sings the quietly beautiful song Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord, based on Psalm 55:22 and Psalm 16:8. It is found in some hymnals.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
And He shall sustain thee.
He never will suffer the righteous to fall;
He is at thy right hand.
Thy mercy, Lord, is great and far above the heav’ns;
Let none be made ashamed that wait upon Thee.

Casting our burdens on the Lord is something every believer can do, and it’s a theme taken up by Peter in the New Testament as well, when he says we should habitually be “casting all [our] care [our worries and anxieties] upon Him, for He cares [is concerned] for [us]” (I Pet. 5:7). In that way we are strengthened for life and for service for Him–as the psalmist puts it:

It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.

Ps. 78:28

Questions:

  1. What burden have you recently given over to the Lord? With what result?
  2. Why do we seem to hesitate so long at times with turning our cares and trials over to God?

Links:

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

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Words: J. H. T. (details unknown)
Music: Constancy, by Asa Hull (b. Jan. 18, 1828; d. Apr. 4, 1917)

Note: This is a lovely hymn inspired by the experience of Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Published in the nineteenth century (Hymnary,org has the earliest version printed in 1868), we only know the initials of the author: J. H. T. (or J. H.).

Asa Hull wrote many hymns and hymn tunes. His tune Constancy is also used in some hymn books for the hymn All for Jesus. As noted in the Cyber Hymnal, the tune Wycliff, by John Stainer also fits both texts. It’s a superior tune, in my view, but in this case will require treating the hymn as having six four-line stanzas.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

It’s an odd expression, one that doesn’t necessarily mean what it says. We speak of sitting at someone’s feet, or at someone’s knee, but it may have nothing to do with our posture or position.

To say a young man sat at the feet of Professor So-and-So, means he was a pupil of the professor’s, someone whose teachings he was eager to absorb. Often the phrase also implies that the student admires and respects the teacher. But he may be sitting at a classroom desk, or before a computer, or simply reading a book, or watching a DVD. Any or all of these might involve sitting at the feet of another.

However, for Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, the position became a literal reality. In fact, each time she’s seen in the Gospels, she is at the feet of the Lord Jesus. She sat at His feet to learn (Lk. 10:39); she came to His feet to express her grief at the death of her brother (Jn. 11:32); and she came to His feet to worship, after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn. 12:3).

It is with the first of these we are concerned here (Lk. 10:38-42). When the Lord Jesus visited in their home, we see quite a contrast between the two sisters. Martha was bustling about, preparing a meal, and the Bible says she was “distracted,” preoccupied and fretful, about all she had to do. So much so she complained that Mary wasn’t helping her (vs. 40).

And what was Mary doing during all of this? She “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (vs. 39). Her presence there was an expression of her love for the Lord, and of her delight in His teaching. It also showed something of her desire to believe and obey His message to her.

Martha, no doubt, had good intentions. She wanted to have the very best meal to set before her Guest. But the Lord gently rebuked her for all her hurrying and scurrying: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her [by you, or anything else]” (vs. 41-42).

“One thing is needful [i.e. necessary].” Jesus would not be with them much longer, as far as His physical presence was concerned. Eating a fine meal with Him had its place, but the spiritual food He could provide just then was much more important. To put a priority on listening and learning from Him was a good thing, and it still is.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Ps. 1:1-3

What are some ways we can sit at Jesus’ feet today? We can go to church and listen to the Word of God taught. We can talk with spiritually minded friends, and pray with them. We can attend a Bible study and discuss the Scriptures. We can attend a Bible college. We can put a priority on having a time of daily devotions, when we study and pray on our own. Memorizing and meditating on verses of Scripture are valuable too. All such things are spiritually important, and we must not let other priorities lead to neglecting them.

(1) Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last.

(2) Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows
And, when weary, find sweet rest.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray,
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day.

(3) Bless me, O my Saviour, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet.
Oh, look down in love upon me;
Let me see Thy face so sweet.
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus;
Make me holy as He is.
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.

Questions:

  1. What is your favourite or most profitable way to sit at the feet of Jesus?
  2. What have you learned there at His feet in the past week?

Links:

Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

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Words: Tullius Clinton O’Kane (b. March 10, 1830; d. Feb. 12, 1912)
Music: Tullius Clinton O’Kane

Note: I came across this song in a rather unusual way. I was reading one of Dorothy Sayers mystery stories called Strong Poison. In it, her detective hero, Lord Peter Wimsey quotes the refrain of the hymn:

Sweeping through the gates of the New Jerusalem,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

The “New Jerusalem” is a name for the heavenly city where God dwells (Rev. 21:2). The hymn is speaking of the death of believers, and how the sufferings of this life, either the kind that come through illness (stanza 3), or persecution (stanza 4), will all be behind us in heaven (stanza 5). But it is his reference to children who come to Christ that I focus on here (stanza 2). Their deaths were an even more familiar sorrow a century and more ago, before the development of new drugs and medical techniques to save them.

Tullius O’Kane was a genial teacher and school principal in Ohio. He also wrote quite a number of hymns, sometimes both words and music. As noted, one stanza of this one affirms the capability of young children to trust in the Saviour and have a meaningful relationship with Him. I can affirm that myself, having come to Christ at the age of seven.

One cold, blustery day O’Kane had occasion to go from his residence to the railroad depot, about a mile distant, and in his route had to cross the river on a suspension foot-bridge. As he came down to the bridge, he thought of “the river of death,” so cold, with no bridge except what the Lamb of God has done for us (Jn. 1:29).

Then, he says, the words of the dying Cookman came to his mind, and he exclaimed to himself: “Who, who are these beside the chilly wave?” Words, melody and refrain seemed to come all at once and all together, so that by the time he arrived back at his home, the composition was complete. The reference to “Cookman” speaks of a Methodist pastor named Alfred Cookman (1828-1871) who, when he lay dying, spoke of “sweeping through the gates of the New Jerusalem.”

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

Children are amazing. Take Alexandra Scott, for example. Alex was born in 1996. Then, just before her first birthday she was diagnosed with cancer. Four years later, in spite of failing health, she decided to open a lemonade stand, to raise money to help children with cancer. That year, with the help of her older brother, she raised two thousand dollars. And it became an annual event for the family.

Alex finally succumbed to cancer, and died in 2004. But, inspired by what she’d done, others set up their own lemonade stands. Participation in that project has continued to spread, and $120 million has been raised for the cause to date, all because one little girl got an idea, and followed through with it.

Yes, children are amazing. However Jesus’ disciples seemed to think that dealing with children was a waste of the Master’s time. They tried to keep them away from Him (Mk. 10:13). But “He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God’” (vs. 14). The Apostle Peter seems to have learned the lesson. In his first sermon after the birth of the church, he appealed “to you and your children” (Acts. 2:39).

The Lord admired the simple trust of the young, and their desire to please God, considering that to be an example to those who are older. To lift a verse out of its original context, sometimes it’s true that “a little child shall lead them” (Isa. 11:6). Christ also warned of severe judgment faced by any who would mistreat a child who trusted in Him (Matt. 18:1-6).

Children are capable of strong faith, and a life-changing commitment to the Lord. Two examples of this come from the country of Wales.

Mary Jones (1784-1864), in her early teens, learned to love the Word of God. She longed to study the Scriptures more thoroughly, but Bibles were scarce where she lived. One copy was passed around from home to home, but that meant long gaps between each person’s reading and study. To get a Bible of her own, Mary walked 26 miles (42 km) barefoot, to where she could obtain one. The pastor who met her was inspired by her zeal. He became deeply concerned about the need for more copies of God’s Word, and worked to meet it. Four years later, the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed to send Bibles around the world.

Fast forward a hundred years. A pastor stood before a group and asked, “What does Jesus Christ mean to you?” “He’s the hope of the world,” one responded. “But that’s not what I’m asking,” said the pastor. “What does he mean to you?” Finally a little girl named Florie Evans spoke up. With deep fervour and sincerity she said, “I love the Lord Jesus with all of my heart.”

Those words stirred the hearts of those present, and God used little Florie’s testimony to begin a great spiritual awakening called the Welsh Revival (1904-1905). More than one hundred thousand put their faith in Christ, churches were packed for years to come, and whole towns were transformed. The special working of God’s Spirit eventually spread across Britain, into Europe, and over to America.

There are many other examples of such things. The sincere faith of a child has had an impact on many in different ways. O’Kane’s hymn speaks of them in his second stanza as among the redeemed in Glory. All who will be there are blood-washed saints of God.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rev. 1:5-6, NKJV

(1) Who, who are these beside the chilly wave,
Just on the borders of the silent grave,
Shouting Jesus’ power to save,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Sweeping through the gates of the new Jerusalem,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb,
Sweeping through the gates of the new Jerusalem,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

(2) These, these are they who, in their youthful days,
Found Jesus early, and in wisdom’s ways
Proved the fullness of His grace,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

(5) Safe, safe upon the ever shining shore,
Sin, pain, and death, and sorrow are all o’er;
Happy now and evermore,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Questions:

  1. Do you know a child whose faith is an inspiration to adults around?
  2. What characteristics of that faith have you observed which are a lesson to all?

Links:

Somebody Cares

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Words: Fanny Edna Stafford (details unknown)
Music: Home Alvan Rodeheaver (b. Oct. 4, 1880; d. Dec. 18, 1955)

Note: The words of this song were written by Fannie Edna Stafford, of whom we know little. We do know she was a semi-invalid for many years, and was subject to discouragement and depression. But one day the Lord spoke to her heart and brought special peace and comfort. Wanting to share the blessing, she wrote some lines of verse on a postcard, and sent them to gospel musician Homer Rodeheaver–whom she’d never met. Timidly she asked if the words were worth setting to music. He thought they were, and he did.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

A politician said recently, “Many people are telling me…” “Who are these people?” countered an interviewer. “What facts and statistics do they cite? What’s the source of their information?” (Questions to which there was no response.) It’s an old trick. Be ambiguous and vague, and you can claim almost anything. Experts say, or somebody did so-and-so, but we’re not told who did.

When I was a college instructor, students had to write papers for me on a variety of subjects. One important feature of each paper was to be what’s called attribution. In footnotes, the student had to identify who made a statement he quoted, or where the key ideas and theories presented came from. The absence of this information weakened the paper, and lowered the grade given.

This kind of retreat into ambiguity appears with regard to spiritual things too. Middleweight boxing champion Rocky Graziano called his 1955 autobiography Somebody Up There Likes Me. One supposes he meant God, but was it the God of the Bible, or some other god? As to music, in 1951 a Johnny Lange song was recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Elvis Presley, and others. It’s subject was Somebody Bigger Than You and I, but not once in the song was this “Somebody” named.

What’s the reason for the avoidance of the Lord’s name? Is it meant to be a kind of guessing game–we’re given some clues, and left to figure it out for ourselves? Or does the song-writer not really know much at all about the Lord? Or is the author or the singer lacking in courage, and unwilling to appear too “religious”? Or is it a matter of money–that clearly identifying the God of the Bible might turn off those of other faiths, and decrease record sales? (It’s likely a mixture of these.)

The Bible urges us to speak with clarity about spiritual things. “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” (I Cor. 14:8). God says, “I am the LORD [Jehovah], that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another” (Isa. 42:8). We need to identify the Lord by name, in order that hearers can consider Him, and their responsibility to Him.

When Paul was in Athens, he used religious vagueness as a springboard for preaching the gospel, saying, “As I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). He identified the true God as the Maker of all things, and called people to repentance and faith in Him (vs. 24-31).

This brings us to the present gospel song, published in 1905. The song, called Somebody Cares, says some wonderful things, things well worth pondering. My only concern is that the “Somebody” is not identified until the second-to-last line of the final stanza. If this Somebody “wants you to know Him,” as the writer says in stanza one, then she should make Him better known!

Pharaoh asked Moses, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?” (Exod. 5:2). Likely the question was asked sarcastically, since he subsequently showed no sincere desire to become a believer (cf. Job 21:14-15). But there are surely others who are open to the gospel, and desirous of knowing more about God.

It wasn’t necessary for Stafford to name the Lord Jesus Christ seventeen times, as Luther Bridgers does in He Keeps Me Singing, or eighteen times, as Robert Lowry does in Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (counting repeated refrains in both). But calling Him by name in each stanza would help a great deal.

(1) Somebody knows when your heart aches,
And everything seems to go wrong;
Somebody knows when the shadows
Need chasing away with a song;
Somebody knows when you’re lonely,
Tired, discouraged and blue;
Somebody wants you to know Him,
And know that He dearly loves you.

(3) Somebody loves you when weary;
Somebody loves you when strong;
Always is waiting to help you,
He watches you—one of the throng
Needing His friendship so holy,
Needing His watch-care so true;
His name? We call His name Jesus;
He loves everyone, He loves you.

Questions:

  1. What are the things you would most want others to know about the Lord Jesus Christ?
  2. What hymns do you know that say, clearly, a lot of important things about Him?

Links:

He’s a Wonderful Saviour

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Words: Virgil Prentiss Brock (b. Jan. 6, 1887; d. March 12, 1978)
Music: Blanche Kerr Brock (b. Feb. 3, 1888; d. Jan. 3, 1958)

Note: Virgil Brock was a pastor, evangelist, and gospel song writer, serving in Indiana and the surrounding area. He was ably assisted by his wife Blanche, a former school teacher, a singer, pianist and composer. Together they were known as the Singing Brocks. Though Virgil lacked a knowledge of music theory, he produced over five hundred songs, with a musical assist from his talented wife.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

We have seen the word “wonderful” several times in these articles. In Old English, a wundor was something astonishing. A wonder is marvelous and amazing. It stirs and excites our emotions as we are struck by its unexpected beauty, excellence, or power.

There are many wonders in nature. In our temperate climate, each season of the year has its own. In the fresh fall air, we enjoy the beautiful colour of the leaves, and winter can be a wonderland of dazzling snow drifts and frosted trees. In the spring, the warming air brings forth welcome green shoots, a sign of reviving life. In summer there are the flowers of every colour and shade to please the eye.

There are wonders in science and invention too, many of which were only the stuff of fiction when our parents or grandparents were born. The development of electric lighting, the telephone, computers, and air travel–which eventually led to journeys into space. Add to that motion pictures, radio, television, and the Internet, in the area of communication and entertainment, and life-saving medicines and procedures that have meant better health, and an increase in the average life span.

There are many wonderful people too, heroes of different kinds. There are the feats of Sergeant Alvin York in the First World War, and the inspiring oratory of Winston Churchill in the Second. After the war, there was the daily courage of Jackie Robinson, as he faced bigotry and hatred to help desegregate baseball.

And a young Canadian comes to mind. Terry Fox (1958-1981) contracted cancer, and it eventually took his life. But, before that, he accomplished an incredible feat. To raise money for cancer research, he ran across Canada from the east coast to Thunder Bay, Ontario–running the equivalent of a marathon each day, for 143 days, on one leg and a prosthesis! His legacy is continued with an annual Terry Fox Run.

But without any question, the most wonderful person of all is the Lord Jesus Christ. In prophecy, before His coming as a Babe in Bethlehem’s manger, Isaiah proclaimed, “Unto us a Child is born…and His name will be called Wonderful” (Isa. 9:6)–meaning that people would marvel, both at His holy character and His powerful works. In the New Testament, the word is used of the miracles of Jesus (Acts 2:22).

As the Saviour of redeemed sinners, He continues His wonderful work today. It’s not surprising Paul testified, “For me, to live is Christ,” and that he had “a desire to depart and be with Christ” (Phil. 1:21, 23). Peter recognized, “To you who believe, He is precious…whom having not seen you love” (I Pet. 2:7, 8). Countless others have found it so as well.

During a meeting conducted by the Brocks in 1918, they were thrilled by the testimony of a traveling salesman who told of leading a friend to faith in Christ, and then of having the same privilege with the man’s entire family. All through his description of this experience, he exclaimed, over and over, “Oh, He’s a wonderful Saviour to me!” The next morning, the Brocks wrote words and music of a song based on those words.

(1) I was lost in sin, but Jesus rescued me,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me;
I was bound by fear, but Jesus set me free,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me.

For He’s a wonderful Saviour to me,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me;
I was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in:
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me.

(3) He is always near to comfort and to cheer,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me;
He forgives my sins, He dries my every tear,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me.

(4) Dearer grows the love of Jesus day by day,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me.
Sweeter is His grace while pressing on my way,
He’s a wonderful Saviour to me.

Questions:

  1. What is the most wonderful thing about the Lord Jesus to you, personally?
  2. How does this realization affect your life, day by day?

Links:

‘Twas Jesus’ Blood

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Words: Harry Dixon Loes (b. Oct. 20, 1892; d. Feb. 9, 1965)
Music: Harry Dixon Loes

Note: His given name was Harold Loes, but he took the middle name Dixon to express his admiration of Rev. Amzi Dixon, who was at the time the gifted pastor of Moody Church, in Chicago. From 1939 until his retirement, Mr. Loes served on the music faculty of Moody Bible Institute, and contributed dozens of fine gospel songs to the Christian community.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

There’s an average of five litres of blood in the human body. About once a minute, it is circulated completely around the body, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the cells, and carrying away carbon dioxide and waste. The blood does a wonderful job of cleansing our bodies.

The actual filtering is done when the blood passes through the kidneys. When these are not functioning properly, harmful residues can build up, making the individual seriously ill. The doctor may suggest the possibility of planning for a transplant. Meantime, dialysis is the answer. Dialysis puts the blood through a filter outside the body, returning it again afterward. My friend Jim was on dialysis for many years, and it enabled him to carry on a relatively active life, in between trips to the hospital for the treatment.

There is a spiritual parallel. What is accomplished by the blood in our bodies is only a small picture of the purifying power of the blood of Christ. In the Old Testament, the Levitical priests offered animal sacrifices to make atonement for sin, because “without shedding of blood there is no remission [no forgiveness]” (Heb. 9:22). But no permanent cleansing of sin could be brought about by the death of an animal (Heb. 10:4). This was only a temporary provision, a picture of what was to come through the death of Christ on the cross (Jn. 1:29; I Cor. 15:3).

Now that Christ has died and risen again, “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). When an individual puts his or her faith in Christ, the Bible says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I Jn. 1:7), washed “whiter than snow,” as David puts it (Ps. 51:7).

Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Tit. 2:13-14

Given the message of God’s Word, it’s not surprising that many hymn writers have written songs about the blood of Christ and it’s power. Here are a few examples. William Cowper’s hymn There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood was inspired by an Old Testament prophecy, “There shall be a fountain opened to the house of David [i.e. from the family of David] and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1).

Echoing what was said earlier, a gospel song by Lewis Jones says There Is Power in the Blood, and one by Canadian hymn writer Civilla Martin assures us The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power. Robert Lowry’s hymn asks, “What can wash away my sin?” and it answers, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Elisha Hoffman makes the message practical and personal with Are You Washed in the Blood?

To this may be added a 1941 gospel song by Harry Dixon Loes, a song of testimony entitled simply ‘Twas Jesus’ Blood.

1. A sinner, lost, condemned was I,
Doomed an eternal death to die;
But Jesus died for me,
He bore sin’s penalty,
On Calv’ry’s hill was lifted high.

‘Twas Jesus’ blood that ransomed me,
From chains of sin He set me free,
While ages roll my song shall be:
‘Twas Jesus’ blood that ransomed me.

2. I ne’er could be at peace with God,
But for the cleansing, crimson flood,
No one but Christ could win
Atonement for all sin–
He signed my pardon with His blood.

Questions:

  1. What does Peter mean when he speaks of Christ’s blood as “precious” (I Pet. 1:18-19)–precious why, in what way?
  2. What is your favourite song about the precious blood of Christ?

Links:

Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

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Words: (unknown)
Music: (unknown)

Note: Both the text and tune of this song were first published in Folk Songs of the American Negro (1907), compiled by brothers Frederick Jerome Work (1871-1925) and John Wesley Work, Jr. (1873-1925), who laboured long to preserve the heritage of music found in the oral tradition and culture of the slaves of America in earlier years.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

Things can be quite different outside and inside–different in how they appear to us and what they actually are like.

There can be, for example, a cleverly made plastic replica of a famous statue. It may have the appearance of the artist’s creation, chiseled from hard and heavy marble. But pick it up and you will realize the difference. It doesn’t have the weight and substance of the original. It’s a hollow imitation.

This can be the case with people too. Perhaps actors or actresses play wonderful characters in films or on television, portraying moral and reliable family members in fictional stories. But when details of their personal behaviour appear in the news, we discover they’re nothing like that. That their lives present a sad history of marital unfaithfulness, dishonesty, abuse of others, and so on.

Or what about the woman who seems well off, and moves in a social circle of people who are wealthy and powerful, but it’s discovered that she lives way beyond her means and is, in fact, deeply in debt? Or the man who boasts of his talents and accomplishments, but we learn that it’s all an act and a fraud?

In the time Christ was on earth, many of the Pharisees were like that. They were the religious conservatives of the Jewish world. They not only claimed to be faithful followers of the Law of Israel, but adopted hundreds of man-made rules meant to show how very pious they were. And they loved to show off their religiosity to others (Matt. 6:5).

But, for many of them, it was all a hollow sham. The Lord compared them to “whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt. 23:27). They were among those who “honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matt. 15:8). Outside and inside.

There’s an old African-American spiritual that relates to all of this. We do not know the poet’s name, but historians have placed the time the song was created to be during the ministry of an evangelist named Samuel Davies, who served in the state of Virginia between 1748 and 1756. During that time, a slave came to Davies to learn more about the Christian faith. He said to the evangelist:

“I come to you, sir, that you may tell me some good things concerning Jesus Christ and my duty to God, for I am resolved not to live any more as I have done….Sir, I want to be a Christian in my heart.”

What did he mean by that last statement? Likely this. He had observed his slave masters attending church, and talking about their religion. But, he wondered how they could truly be filled with the love of Christ and enslave other human beings, so often cruelly mistreating them. The man wanted the kind of Christianity that affected the inside, as well as the outside of his life.

It was out of that encounter that the spiritual was born. And it was intended as more than a prayer. It was a kind of declaration of purpose, a testimony of how the singer was determined to live. In succeeding stanzas it says:

Lord, I want to be a Christian in-a my heart, in-a my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in-a my heart.
In-a my heart, in-a my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in-a my heart.

Lord, I want to be more loving in-a my heart…

Lord, I want to be more holy in-a my heart…

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in-a my heart.

And there’s another stanza of the song less often sung today. It comes just before the last one above, and says:

I don’t want to be like Judas in-a my heart…

Judas Iscariot was a hypocrite and deceiver (Jn. 12:4-6). This had a special meaning in the slave culture. Slave owners and overseers liked to play one slave off against the others. Those who brought them tales of the misbehaviour of another slave were given special privileges. But this was seen among the slaves as a betrayal of their people, much like the way Judas betrayed Christ (Matt. 26:14-16).

May the simple declarations of this old song be our own, as we walk in faith and obedience toward God.

Questions:

  1. What will the difference be between a person who tries to act like a Christian on the outside, and one who is a Christian from the inside out?
  2. Do you have a favourite spiritual?

Links:

Jesus Will Walk with Me

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Words: Haldor Lillenas (b. Nov. 19, 1885; d. Aug. 18, 1959)
Music: Haldor Lillenas

Note: In 1922, hymn writer Haldor Lillenas, who wrote about four thousand songs, gave us this one about his confidence in the Lord’s continuing presence.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

Walking has long been used as a gentle, low-impact form of exercise. It strengthens the heart, lowers risk of disease, helps with weight loss, gives new energy, and releases feel-good endorphins which help to reduce stress and anxiety. Further, walking with others provides opportunities for friendly conversation, and encourages participants to be faithful in maintaining an exercise program.

The pressure of finding time in a busy schedule, or a lack of discipline on our part can hinder us from keeping it up. And winter weather in our Canadian climate certainly discourages walking. But city dwellers have found facilities such as malls where they can walk indoors.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible uses forms of the word “walk” nearly four hundred times. Sometimes it’s speaking of physical walking, as when a couple returning to their home in the village of Emmaus were joined along the way by the risen Christ (Lk. 24:15, 17). Other times, the word is used in a symbolic sense to picture the believer’s earthly pilgrimage, as we walk with God. There’s a stirring and infectious spiritual about that.

Walk together children, don’t you get weary,
Walk together children, don’t you get weary;
O talk together children, don’t you get weary–
There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land.

The Lord addresses the nation of Israel after they’d strayed from Him, asking, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3). Just as we can only enjoy one another’s company on a walk if we follow the same path, so, spiritually, we can only have fellowship with God when we go His way–since He will never accommodate Himself to walking the sinner’s way. (It’s interesting that the word “confess,” in First John 1:9, means literally to agree–i.e. agree with God about our sin. Confession is admission we’re going the wrong way, and want to adjust our walk to God’s way.)

In the New Testament, our word is used many times to describe the Christian life, a life of day by day, step by step, faith and obedience toward God. Just as, when we walk physically, we repeatedly obey a message from our brain to take a step, and we step out trusting that we’re going the right way, and in confidence that we can step safely, so it is in our spiritual walk. This is the focus of John Sammis’s fine gospel song Trust and Obey, which begins, “When we walk with the Lord…”

We are to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). The Amplified Bible expands upon this in a helpful way: “Walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit, [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit].” This will involve walking by faith (Rom. 4:12; II Cor. 5:7), walking “properly”–i.e. behaving morally (Rom. 13:13), and walking in love (Eph. 5:2). We are to “walk in newness of life [in Christ]” (Rom. 6:4), and walk in a way that’s fitting for those God calls to Himself (Eph. 4:1). The Christian walk is described elsewhere as walking in the light (I Jn. 1:7).

Since earliest times, living with consistent faith in God, and living righteously, have been described as walking with God. For Adam and Eve, this seems to have included some kind of physical revelation of God’ s presence (Gen. 3:8), but most times it involves a spiritual awareness of His presence that significantly affects how we live our lives. Thus Enoch and Noah are said to have walked with God (Gen. 5:22; 6:9).

For His part, the Lord promises believers His presence with us. This is a special encouragement to those who face persecution and oppression because of their faith. “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6).

(1) Jesus will walk with me down through the valley,
Jesus will walk with me over the plain;
When in the shadow or when in the sunshine,
If He goes with me I shall not complain.

Jesus will walk with me,
He will talk with me;
He will walk with me;
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.

(2) Jesus will walk with me when I am tempted,
Giving me strength as my need may demand;
When in affliction His presence is near me,
I am upheld by His almighty hand.”

(4) Jesus will walk with me in life’s fair morning,
And when the shadows of evening must come;
Living or dying, He will not forsake me.
Jesus will walk with me all the way home.

Questions:

  1. What is your own experience of sensing the presence of the Lord with you?
  2. How have you dealt with the situation when you have stumbled in your walk?

Links:

No One Understands Like Jesus

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Words: John Willard Peterson (b. Nov. 1, 1921; d. Sept. 20, 2006)
Music: John Willard Peterson

Note: Over a long career Peterson wrote over a thousand hymns, both words and music, and several dozen musicals and cantatas.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

It’s rude. It’s hurtful. To retort, “Who cares?” in response to what others are saying is to show how small we are, how out of touch with the needs and feelings of another human being. To say, “Who cares?” is to demolish a bridge of hope and trust that may never be rebuilt.

Caring about (and for) others is a significant aspect of social interaction. It’s a part of what makes life meaningful and fulfilling. Many have written perceptively about it. One said, “The simple act of caring is heroic.” Another, “Only those who care about you can hear you when you’re quiet.” And still another, “The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.”

Even so, the opposite of caring can often be seen. A craving for personal advantage and advancement can swallow up concern for others. A couple of examples come to mind from Scripture.

One is Ahithophel, a close friend an advisor of King David. He is likely the one David had in mind when he described, “a man like me, my close friend in whom I confided. We would share personal thoughts with each other; in God’s temple we would walk together among the crowd” (Ps. 55:13-14, NET).

But when the king’s son Absalom led a rebellion against his father, Ahithophel quickly deserted his long-time friend and joined the ill-considered uprising. No wonder David grieved, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9).

Judas Iscariot in the New Testament was one of the twelve followers of Christ, those who walked and talked with Jesus for about three years, and who were specially trained for future ministry. But Judas turned against his Master, secretly plotting to betray him for a payment of thirty pieces of silver. The Lord knew all about it, and applied to Judas David’s sorrowing words about Ahithophel, seeing in them a further fulfilment (Jn. 13:18, 26; cf. Ps. 41:9).

Who cares? Ahithophel didn’t, when he thought more of his own advancement and personal power than of his friend the king. And Judas didn’t care enough to remain loyal to his Lord. Later, he was so desperately remorseful over what he’d done that, like Ahithophel, he “went and hanged himself” (Matt. 27:5; cf. II Sam. 17:23).

How wonderful that the care and compassion of the Lord for us is more enduring than that! In the same psalm in which David expresses pain over the unfaithfulness of his friend, he urges us, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Ps. 55:22). And Peter, who witnessed the perfidy of Judas, echoed his words: “Casting all your care [anxiety] upon Him, for He cares [is deeply concerned] for you” (I Pet. 5:7).

Hymn writer John Peterson learned to do that during a difficult time. He wrote of an occasion, years ago, when he was working for an unnamed Christian organization. A supervisory position opened up, and his superiors said he would be promoted to it. Peterson was pleased at the advancement, and believed he could handle the job.

However, without notice or explanation, a man was brought in from outside the company and given the position. The caustic remarks of the new man toward Peterson further pained him. Discouragement gripped him. He felt alone and forsaken, and was tempted to become bitter, until he began thinking about the great compassion of the Lord. Who cares? He does!

It was those thoughts that led to the writing of a hymn.

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.

3. No one understands like Jesus,
When the foes of life assail;
You should never be discouraged,
Jesus cares and will not fail.

Questions:

  1. Did you ever have a time when you felt betrayed by a friend?
  2. What did you do about this?

Links:

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