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T8. Reflections: Aug.18

Yielded

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: C. F. Warren (no information)
Music: Robert Harkness (b. Mar. 2, 1880; d. May 8, 1961)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (none)
The Cyber Hymnal (Robert Harkness)
Hymnary.org

Note: Of the author, C. F. Warren, we know nothing. It could be one of those cases when the composer of the tune received the words, with a request to provide a tune, without knowing much about the author. We know this happened to him with the little song In Jesus.

Yield–it’s one of our multipurpose words. It can mean to give up, or give out. When a suspected thief raises his hands and yields to the police, he’s giving up. But when a garden produces baskets of juicy tomatoes, that’s what the plants have given out. That’s the yield.

But, when you think about it, there’s been some yielding on the part of the gardener, before that. If he’s wise, he’ll follow the accumulated wisdom regarding how to get the best crop. He knows the soil must be broken up, and fertilized, and watered. He knows the seed must be planted at the right time, and in the right way, and weeds must be controlled. If he refuses to do what’s needed, the final yield will suffer.

The first use of the word yield is found in the account of creation. God provided for each plant to yield fruit “after its kind,” in order to provide food for human beings (Gen. 1:11-12, 29).

Later, when the Lord gave the land of Canaan to Israel, He promised that it would yield food for them (Lev. 25:19). However, the abundance of the crop was conditioned on their obedience to Him. If they would keep God’s Law, they’d have plenty (Lev. 26:3-4). If not, He warned the crops would fail (Lev. 26:18-20).

Sadly, there were times of spiritual backsliding, but godly King Hezekiah called the people of Israel back to the Lord with these words:

“Do not be like your fathers and your brethren, who trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, so that He gave them up to desolation, as you see. Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord…that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you” (II Chron. 30:7-8).

A double use of yielding has its application in the spiritual realm for the Christian. In fact, the Bible often uses garden imagery to illustrate what it means to live a fruitful life, and how that’s to be accomplished. And yielding to the Lord (obedience) will bring a yield of spiritual fruit in one’s life. the Scriptures speak of a couple of different kinds of spiritual fruit–inner fruit and outward fruit.

☼ The inward fruit is godly character, Christlikeness, the kind of qualities described as “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23).

☼ The outward fruit is the good things that happen in the lives of others, through our service for the Lord (Jn. 15:16; Rom. 1:13).

As a loving parent would do, God disciplined the people of Israel. The Bible later makes this comment, which could be applied to Israel, and is certainly true of our individual lives today.

“Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives….Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:6, 11).

A parable of the Lord Jesus talks about seed falling on different kinds of soil (Matt. 13:3-9). In the story, the seed represents the Word of God, and the soils picture different conditions of heart in the hearers, with the good soil describing those who accept God’s message, recognizing how it applies to their lives (vs. 18-23).

If we humbly yield to the Lord, determined to do His will, we will be spiritually fruitful, yielding both the fruit of godly character and blessings for others in our service for the Lord. And there’s a gospel song from 1926 that talks about that, called simply Yielded. Like some of our hymns about personal dedication (such as All to Jesus I Surrender, or Have Thine Own Way, Lord), these are strong words. We must determine whether this reflects our sincere heart’s desire.

1) Lowly and humbly, Lord, here I bow,
Contrite and broken, help me just now;
Patient and still, Lord, O let me be
Fitted for service, cleansed, Lord, by Thee.

Yielded, Lord, to Thee,
Yielded, Lord to Thee;
Wholly Thine forevermore,
Yielded, yielded, yielded, Lord, to Thee.

3) Keep ev’ry thought, Lord, in Thy control,
Let Thine own presence now fill my soul;
Self on the altar, yielded to Thee,
Jesus my Saviour, faithful to be.

4) Ready and willing Thee to obey,
Silent, if need be, have Thine own way;
In full submission all do I give,
Nothing withhold, Lord, in me now live.

Questions:
1) What are often the obstacles in our lives to fully yielding to the Lord?

2) What do you think the author means by “Silent, if need be,” in stanza 4?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (none)
The Cyber Hymnal (Robert Harkness)
Hymnary.org

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Isaac Watts (b. July 17, 1674; d. Nov. 25, 1748)
Music: Arlington, by Thomas Augustine Arne (b. Mar. 12, 1710; d. Mar. 5, 1778)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: The Cyber Hymnal currently uses a tune by Ira Sankey for this hymn, which includes a refrain. Much more common is the use of Thomas Arne’s tune Arlington, taken from his 1762 opera Artaxerxes.

In Canada, compulsory military service (conscription) was a debated issue in both the First and Second World Wars. Some felt Canadians had no responsibility for what was happening “over there.” Nonetheless, eventually a law was passed, and Canadian citizens were compelled to serve in both wars. The United States has had conscription, known commonly as the draft, in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War.

And what of the spiritual realm? Satan’s long war against the Almighty began when he coveted the throne of God for himself (Isa. 14:12-15). Thwarted in his evil aspirations, he has focused his malice on this world, and man, the crown of the Lord’s earthly creation. He seduced our first parents in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6), and their sin has brought calamity on all who followed them.

Satan, also known as the devil, determined to enslave and destroy us all, but the Lord provided a means of deliverance. God the Son took on our humanity, and died to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins. Through faith in Christ our Saviour, we are spiritually reborn into the family of God (Jn. 1:12-13). Our sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of eternal life (Jn. 3:16: Eph. 1:7). We’re turned “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).

That is the Christian gospel (I Cor. 15:1-4). And “behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I Jn. 3:1). However, though the devil has lost us as his slaves, he continues to war against us. “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8).

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:12-13).

Against the enemy we are to wield “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (vs. 17). “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12).

We are in a battle, a titanic struggle against a powerful enemy. To put it plainly, all believers have been conscripted into the army of the Lord.

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (II Tim. 2:3-4).

The Apostle Paul was able to say, at the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight…I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:7). But what about each of us who is a believer, yet is not doing our part? To use a modern term, are we draft dodgers, as far as the spiritual conflict is concerned?

In the words of pastor and hymn writer Isaac Watts, “Thou must meet this adversary [Satan] shortly, O my soul. Labour therefore daily to get courage and victory.” To accompany a sermon on First Corinthians 16:13 (“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”), Dr. Watts wrote the following hymn. It asks some challenging questions!

CH-1) Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

CH-2) Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

CH-3) Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

CH-4) Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the cross, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

Dr. Watt’s original word in line 3 of the fourth stanza was likely “cross” (as I have it) rather than “toil”–which is more common today. And using the word cross certainly ties in with his original question: “Am I a soldier of the cross.”

He also wrote two more stanzas which aren’t used today. They bring the battle on to a heavenly victory scene.

5) The saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye.

6) When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine,
In robes of vict’ry through the skies,
The glory shall by Thine.

Questions:
1) What is your answer to the penetrating questions of this hymn?

2) What does the line “Supported by Thy Word” mean in practical terms?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Trusting Thee More

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Avis Marguerite Burgeson Christiansen (b. Oct. 11, 1895; d. Jan. 14, 1985)
Music: Wendell Phillips Loveless (b. Feb. 2, 1892; d. Oct. 3, 1987)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Avis Christiansen)
The Cyber Hymnal (Avis Christiansen)
Hymnary.org

Note: A resident of Chicago, Avis was married to a vice president of Moody Bible Institute. She wrote hundreds of fine hymns that have been used by the Lord to bless many. Love Found a Way, It Is Glory Just to Walk with Him, Fill All My Vision, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus Has Lifted Me, Blessed Redeemer, How Can It Be? and Only One Life are some of these.

We have an expression that can mean two different things, depending on how it’s used. It’s “no doubt.”

If we were to say, “No doubt the tornado did a lot of damage,” we mean it’s certain, it happened without question. But the words are sometimes used sarcastically. To say crossly, “No doubt you’re always right,” we mean the opposite is more likely true.

An example of the latter is found in the Bible. Job’s companions insist that his painful trials are due to God punishing him for some wickedness (which was not true), and he retorts sarcastically, “No doubt you are the people [i.e. the only wise ones on earth], and wisdom will die with you!” (Job 12:2).

But if we consider the phrase as a sincere expression of certainty, we’re dealing with matters of faith. To return to the original example, because of our knowledge of tornadoes, and perhaps a personal experience of their destructive force, we can say with some confidence that we know what happened. However, tornadoes are quirky things. They can flatten one house, and leave the one beside it untouched. Or they can expend their energy safely in an open field, merely stirring up dust.

When it comes to spiritual matters, we can sometimes be even more uncertain. And the Bible gives us examples of those who struggled to trust in God when they needed to.

One day the disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose. In their distress, the Lord Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. Impetuous Peter asked if he could do the same, and the Lord invited him to come. He began well but, as fear gripped his heart, he began to sink. “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31).

Several times Christ rebuked His followers for the littleness of their faith (e.g. Matt. 6:30; 8:26). After His resurrection, He appeared to the disciples. At first, they were terrified, supposing maybe they were seeing a ghost. “And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see’” (Lk. 24:38-39).

Many of us take some encouragement from the man who brought His demon possessed son to the Lord, saying, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mk. 9:22). When Jesus asked him if he had faith, and “the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” (vs. 24). Yes, we know what that’s like!

We need more faith, as the disciples also did, when the Lord told them to be forgiving of a person who wronged them over and over. They replied, “Increase our faith” (Lk. 17:4-5). May that be our prayer too.

Surely, many Christians can identify with these appeals. There will come a day when, in the presence of God, faith will be confirmed by eternal realities. But for now, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7). And we do believe, but our limited faith is constantly being challenged by the things we go through.

This brings to mind a gospel song called Trusting Thee More, by Avis Christiansen. Published in 1934, the song says:

1) Lord, keep me trusting Thee day after day,
Trusting whatever befall on my way;
Sunshine or shadow, I take them from Thee,
Knowing Thy grace is sufficient for me.

Trusting Thee more! Trusting Thee more!
May ev’ry day find me trusting Thee more.
Cares may surround me and clouds hover o’er,
But keep me, Lord Jesus, still trusting Thee more.

3) Lord, keep me trusting, till faith lost in sight,
I shall behold Thee in endless delight;
Trusting to Thee all that lieth before,
Daily, Lord Jesus, just trusting Thee more.

Questions:
1) In what area of your life do you need a stronger and more consistent faith in God?

2) What have you found that God has used to strengthen your faith.

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Avis Christiansen)
The Cyber Hymnal (Avis Christiansen)
Hymnary.org

One Sweetly Solemn Thought

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Phoebe Cary (b. Sept. 4, 1824; d. July 31, 1871)
Music: Dulce Domum, by Robert Steele Ambrose (b. Mar. 7, 1824; d. Mar. 31, 1908)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: Phoebe Cary was raised in a Universalist household, but she and her sister often attended Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist services and were friendly with ministers of all these denominations. Though the present 1852 hymn poem is not strong on orthodox theology, it presents truth that is in harmony with it. Hymnary.org says it can be found in over 600 hymnals. Cary was also a champion of women’s rights.

In 1850, Charles Warner wrote: “Politics makes strange bedfellows,” meaning there are times when longtime political enemies will form an uneasy alliance to achieve a goal desired by both.

It’s a sly adaptation of a line from Shakespeare. In his play The Tempest, when shipwrecked Trinculo seeks shelter, reluctantly, beside a sleeping monster, he says, “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows. I will here shroud [cover myself] till the dregs of the storm be past.”

There can be unusual parings in other areas too. Sweet and salty snacks are quite common. And if you enjoy Chinese food, you’ve likely eaten sweet and sour chicken or pork. To our taste buds, sweetness and sourness are opposites, yet they seem to work well together. And reportedly some restaurants sell pickle-flavoured ice cream–but perhaps that’s going too far!

In daily life there are experiences that arouse conflicting feelings. For example, when a young person leaves home to attend college or take up employment in a distant place, parents may have what we could call a sad-glad reaction. Sad to realize the departing child will no longer be a daily part of the family circle, but glad that he or she is moving on to new challenges and accomplishments in life.

In the days of the early church, Christians faced a similar confliction of feelings. Before His return to heaven, the Lord Jesus had warned His followers that they would face persecution for their loyalty to Him. But He encouraged them to take the long-range view, to realize that victory and heavenly rewards would come in the end (Matt. 5:11-12; Jn. 15:18-21).

There came a day when the disciples were beaten for sharing the gospel and we read, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). There’s nothing pleasant about being beaten, imprisoned, or martyred for your faith in Christ. But even the Lord Jesus rejoiced in what He would accomplish through His death on the cross (Heb. 12:2).

The Apostle Paul faced his own sad-glad moment (Phil. 1:21-24). When he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel, he faced the real possibility–one which eventually became a reality–that he would be executed. Sadly, this would deprive him of the opportunity to preach and teach others about the wonderful truths God was revealing through him. However, he rejoiced in the knowledge that death would mean he would “be with Christ, which is far better.”

Whether by persecution, natural causes, or something else, each of us faces the possibility of death. And every day we live brings our departure from this mortal life nearer. It’s a reality that American poet Phoebe Cary called a “sweetly solemn thought.”

Even for the Christian, this is so. The solemnity of death lies in the separation it brings for the living friends and family. If those loved ones are believers too, we can look forward to a reunion in heaven one day, but the loss of that individual is still painful. Also, with Paul, we may regret that they don’t have any more time to serve the Lord and do His work below.

However, we share with the apostle the sweet thought “to be absent from the body [means] to be present with the Lord” (II Cor. 5:8). As the Lord promised the repentant thief crucified next to Him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Lk. 23:43). The sadness of death and the hope of eternal glory are indeed strange bedfellows.

Below is the poetic form of Phoebe Cary’s work. Minor changes have been made to accommodate several musical settings, including the one in the Cyber Hymnal.

CH-1) One sweetly solemn thought
Comes to me o’er and o’er;
Nearer my home today am I
Than e’er I’ve been before.

CH-2) Nearer my Father’s house,
Where many mansions be;
Nearer today, the great white throne,
Nearer the crystal sea.

CH-3) Nearer the bound of life
Where burdens are laid down;
Nearer to leave the heavy cross,
Nearer to gain the crown.

CH-4) But lying dark between,
Winding down through the night,
Is the deep and unknown stream
To be crossed ere we reach the light.

CH-7) Father, perfect my trust!
Strengthen my pow’r of faith!
Nor let me stand, at last, alone
Upon the shore of death.

CH-8) Be Thou near when my feet
Are slipping o’er the brink;
For it may be I’m nearer home,
Nearer now than I think.

Questions:
1) What, to you, is particularly “sweet” about the coming end of your life on this earth?

2) What are some “solemn” aspects of this?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

The Gate Ajar for Me

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Lydia Odell Baxter (b. Sept. 2, 1809; d. June 22, 1874)
Music: Silas Jones Vail (b. Oct. 6, 1818; d. May 20, 1883)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Lydia Baxter)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: Though invalided and bedridden most of her adult life, Lydia Baxter was a glowing Christian. Her counsel was regularly sought by Christian leaders. Mrs. Baxter also gave us the beautiful hymn Precious Name (“Take the name of Jesus with you…”)

The word “ajar” refers to a door or a gate that’s slightly open. It comes from an expression six centuries old, on char, meaning on the turn, neither wide open nor completely closed. The term has produced a childhood riddle: When is a door not a door? Answer: When it is a jar.

Puns aside, the gate ajar provides a fitting picture of opportunity. The portal is not locked and barred. It invites our entry, it implies a welcome. This is touchingly illustrated by a story told by Britain’s Lord Shaftsbury (1801-1885). With its similarity to Jesus’ parable (Lk. 15:11-24), the following incident might be labeled The Prodigal Daughter.

Many years ago, a young woman left home and wandered from her parents’ love and spiritual values. But one day, she heard the gospel of God’s love for her, and was so changed by the message she resolved to return home. On reaching the house she discovered the door unfastened and ajar. She entered and climbed the stairs, and came upon her mother. She asked her, “How was it I found the door open?” The rejoicing woman answered, “My girl, that door has never been closed since you went away. I thought that some night my poor girl would return.”

There are many welcoming summonses from the Lord in the Scriptures, to enter mercy’s gate.

“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow’” (Isa. 1:18).

And consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink’” (Jn. 7:37).

This brings us to a song by hymn writer Lydia Baxter. Written about three years before her death, it expresses God’s welcoming mercy and forgiveness for all who will come to Him through faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Jn. 3:16). The refrain speaks joyously of the wonder of God’s grace.

CH-1) There is a gate that stands ajar,
And through its portals gleaming
A radiance from the cross afar,
The Saviour’s love revealing.

O depth of mercy! Can it be
That gate was left ajar for me?
For me! For me!
Was left ajar for me!

CH-2) That gate ajar stands free for all
Who seek through it salvation;
The rich and poor, the great and small,
Of every tribe and nation.

Evangelist Dwight Moody and his soloist and music director Ira Sankey were in Britain during 1873-74, and Baxter’s song was greatly used in their meetings. In one of these, held on New Year’s Eve, Maggie Lindsay, a young Scottish girl, heard it and prayed, “O heavenly Father, is it true that the gate is standing ajar for me? If it is so, I will go in.” And that evening she trusted Christ as her Saviour.

Her pastor was delighted to learn of her decision, and encouraged her to tell others at her school about it. She did so, and led several of them to faith in Christ. But less that a month after she came to Christ she was on board a train heading to her home when there was a terrible collision with another train. Several were killed, and Maggie was mortally injured. She was found with a blood-spattered song book in her hand, open to Lydia Baxter’s hymn. Carried to a nearby cottage, with her dying breath she sang the refrain, “For me! For me! / Was left ajar for me!”

Moved by the tragic event, Ira Sankey was inspired to write his first gospel song. In it he carried the symbol a step further, picturing the gate ajar as the entry into heaven.

1) Home at last, thy labour done,
Safe and blest, the vict’ry won;
Jordan passed, from pain set free,
Angels now have welcomed thee.

Depth of mercy, oh, how sweet,
Thus to rest at Jesus’ feet,
In yon world of light afar,
Safe within the gate ajar.

Questions:
1) What opportunity is the Lord putting before you at the present time?

2) How will you respond to Him?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Lydia Baxter)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: John Fawcett (b. Jan. 6, 1740; d. July 25, 1817)
Music: Dennis, by Hans Georg Nägeli (b. May 26, 1773; d. Dec. 26, 1836)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: John Fawcett was converted when a teen-ager, under the ministry of George Whitefield. He first attached himself to the Methodists, but later became a Baptist. He wrote several volumes of hymns and other poetry. Hymnary.org reports that the present hymn is found in more than 2,000 hymnals.

Unity or division–which will it be? Some politicians seem to go out of their way to create an us-versus-them polarity. While exciting their followers with grandiose promises they can’t possibly keep, they rain false accusations and cruel abuse on their rivals and any who would dare to support them.

This crippling phenomena can flow from the leadership down, spreading through society like a malignant plague. In its corrupting atmosphere meanness, name-calling and vulgarity flourish, while courtesy and civility whither and die. Decency and respect for others soon seem in short supply.

The hilarious Red Green Show graced Canadian television for fifteen years, until 2006. Steve Smith, an Order of Canada recipient, was the star and the creative genius behind the program. He had a famous catchphrase that eventually became the title of his autobiography:

“We’re all in this together.”

There’s simple wisdom in those words. Instead of driving people apart, we need to put more emphasis on things we have in common. Not that we can’t hold different opinions, and even argue them forcefully. But we should do so with grace, and a sense of respect for others that recognizes our common struggle, and those values we all share in common.

This applies as well to the church of Jesus Christ. Because we’re human, there can sometimes be strife and division in a congregation. The apostles recognized this can happen, but condemned it (I Cor. 3:3), and urged that it be resolved (Phil. 4:2).

Christians are to minister to one another in the local church, seeking “the unity of the faith” (Eph. 4:11-13), and “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). The Bible speaks of believers as part of the spiritual body of Christ, and urges us to act like it.

“There should be no schism [division] in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it….You are the body of Christ, and members individually” (I Cor. 12:25-27).

This sense of oneness among Christians is celebrated in a hymn by a pastor named John Fawcett. He served a small church in Yorkshire, England, and as his family grew, he struggled to make ends meet. Then came a call to be the pastor of a large and prestigious church, Carter’s Lane Baptist Church, in London. Their pastor had recently died, and Pastor Fawcett accepted the congregation’s invitation to fill the position.

The good man preached his farewell sermon, and loaded six or seven wagons with furniture, his books, and other things. But when packing was nearly complete he and his wife sat down on a crate and wept.

All around them, members of the congregation were in tears as well. They grieved at having to part from their beloved pastor. His wife finally cried, “Oh, John, John, I cannot bear this! I know not how to go!” “Nor I, either,” said her husband. “Nor will we go. Unload the wagons!” John Fawcett notified the Carter’s Lane church of his decision to remain where he was, and he stayed there, to the delight of his people.

It’s believed his hymn was written in response to that experience. Notice how it emphasizes the unity of believers in various experiences and feelings.

CH-1) Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

CH-2) Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

CH-3) We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

CH-4) When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

Questions:
1) What are some of the things that seem to divide Christians unnecessarily?

2) What are some basic things that should unite Christians?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Satisfied with Jesus

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Baylus Benjamin McKinney (b. July 22, 1886; d. Sept. 7. 1952)
Music: Baylus Benjamin McKinney

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (none)
The Cyber Hymnal (Benjamin McKinney)
Hymnary.org

Note: Over his adult years, Benjamin McKinney was a pastor, a music editor, a music teacher in a seminary, and a hymn writer. His life and ministry, and his song writing, centred on the Lord Jesus Christ. He died at the age of sixty-six, in a car accident.

To be “satisfied” is to have our desires, needs, or expectations met. But we all know that can be a relative or temporary experience. Satisfaction is almost always incomplete. And nothing in life seems to carry a guarantee that those desires, needs or expectations won’t intrude themselves once more, later on.

We can be satisfied with a fine meal. But we know in a few hours we’ll likely be hungry again. There’s another problem as well. Too much can be as bad as not enough. A lovely spring shower will provide needed and satisfying moisture for growing things. But an extended torrential downpour can cause flooding and erosion, and other problems.

Wise King Solomon observed:

“The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing….He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance with increase….All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied” (Ecc. 1:8; 5:10; 6:7).

The Lord challenges us to consider, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?…Incline your ear and come to Me” (Isa. 55:2, 3).

The Psalms, in particular, speak of soul satisfaction–understandably so, as the book is focused on the inner life. There, we learn the Lord offers, to those who come to Him, an enduring satisfaction that can’t be found elsewhere. “Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple” Ps. 107:9).

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Ps. 36:7-9).

And we discover the kind of satisfaction God offers extends not only through the days of this mortal life, but on to eternity. “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:24). “As for me,” says David, “I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness (Ps. 17:15).“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6).

The Lord challenges us to consider, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?…Incline your ear and come to Me” (Isa. 55:2, 3).

But what about the other side of the coin? Shouldn’t we also consider whether God is satisfied with us?

¤ Have we responded to the gospel call, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)?

¤ And the call to live a Christlike life: “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (Eph. 5:2)?

¤ And what about the call to “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Ps. 100:2)? “[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. 2:14).

In McKinney’s song, Satisfied with Jesus, he rejoices in the blessings won for us on the cross of Calvary. But this causes him to reflect on his own life and service for Christ. What would the Lord say when he reached heaven? Would it be, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21)? Or something less pleasing? “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10).

1) I am satisfied with Jesus,
He has done so much for me;
He has suffered to redeem me,
He has died on Calvary.

I am satisfied, I am satisfied,
I am satisfied with Jesus;
But the question comes to me,
As I think of Calvary,
Is my Master satisfied with me?

2) He is with me in my trials,
Best of friends of all is He;
I can always count on Jesus,
Can He always count on me?

4) When my work on earth is ended,
And I cross the mystic sea,
Oh, that I could hear Him saying,
“I am satisfied with thee.”

Questions:
1) What measure are we to use to decide whether we are pleasing God?

2) In what particular area do you struggle to please the Lord?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (none)
The Cyber Hymnal (Benjamin McKinney)
Hymnary.org

Jesus Loves Me

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Anna Bartlett Warner (b. Aug. 31, 1827; d. Jan. 22, 1915)
Music: William Batchelder Bradbury (b. Oct. 6, 1816; d. Jan. 7, 1868)

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: Susan and Anna Warner lived near the military academy at West Point, and they led regular Bible studies for the cadets. The sisters were so highly respected that, when they died, they were buried with full military honours. According to Hymnary.org, Anna Warner’s hymn has been published in 530 hymn books over the last century and a half.

Love. It’s likely a word we use often, in one way or another. I love ice cream, I love football. I love my wife. I love God. But are all of those the same thing? They’re likely different in intensity and importance. But aren’t they also distinct in their very nature?

Some form of the word love is used hundreds of times in the Bible. It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that many of our traditional hymns and gospel songs talk about it–or surprising that we’ve dealt with such songs many times in these articles.

But the one we’ll look at today may well be the most familiar children’s hymn in the English language. It was first sung by a man who never existed–to a child who never existed either! This remarkable circumstance came about as follows.

In 1860, author Susan Warner began work on a new novel. In it, a Sunday School teacher she called John Linden goes to visit one of his students named Johnnie Fax. The boy is critically ill, and dying–an all too common reality in those days. But Mr. Linden holds Johnnie gently in his arms and tries to comfort him, reminding him of the love of the Saviour. At that point, Susan wanted the teacher to sing a song they’d learned in Sunday School. But what could he sing?

She turned to her sister Anna for help. In response to Susan’s request, Anna Bartlett Warner penned the now well-known hymn, Jesus Loves Me. The text is simple, but its message is powerful.

“Jesus loves me.” That’s a wonderful truth. But the critical question is: How do I know that? How can I be certain? Is it just a myth or a legend? A wish or a maybe? No! I can be sure it’s true because the trustworthy Word of the living God says so.

“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (I Pet. 1:24-25).

The Bible tells us God (the Father) loved the world so much that He “gave” His Son to save us (Jn. 3:16). The word “gave” is significant. It means He delivered Him up, He surrendered Him–to be abused and slain by sinful men. And the Son “gave” (surrendered) Himself to this, in submission to His Father’s will, in love for us. Love involves an unselfish, sacrificial giving of oneself to another.

“The Son of God…loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).”

“Our Lord Jesus Christ…gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever” (Gal. 1:3-5).

“Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:25).

And His love for us prompts our love in return, for which He is to be our Pattern. “We love Him because He first loved us” (I Jn. 4:19). “Walk [live your daily life] in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us (Eph. 5:2).

CH-1) Jesus loves me–this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong–
they are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

CH-2) Jesus loves me–He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Clearly, this was written as a children’s hymn (“little ones”). But it has been a blessing to many adults too, over the years. Jesus loves us, each one, with an enduring love. God’s Word proclaims it to be true, and we answer with love in return.

Questions:
1) What are some characteristics of the love of Christ we can see in His years of earthly ministry?

2) How can you show the love of Christ to someone today?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

My Sins Are Gone

Graphic Bob New Glasses 2015HOW TO USE THIS BLOG
1) The Almanac. Click on the month you want in the side-bar, then the specific date. The blog will tell you what happened in hymn history on that day.
2) Reflections. There is always a current article on a hymn. But you can find many others by clicking on the Index tab. (More being added all the time.)
3) Topical Articles are opinion pieces on many aspects sacred music.
4) To Donate. If you can help with the cost of developing and maintaining this site, click on the “Support” tab above and the page will show you how.

Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: N. B. Vandall (b. Dec. 28, 1896; d. Aug. 24, 1970)
Music: N. B. Vandall

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Jack Vandall)
The Cyber Hymnal (Jack Vandall)
Hymnary.org

Note: Vandall served with the Marines in the First World War, and put his faith in Christ in 1920, at a Christian camp in Ohio. He and his wife Margaret had four sons. He went on to serve the Lord as an evangelist and gospel singer, writing quite a number of gospel songs himself, including the lovely After, written after a serious accident involving one of their sons. And there’s My Home Sweet Home, as well as his 1934 testimony song, My Sins Are Gone.

To change your name can be a complicated business, but it doesn’t usually cost a lot of money. In Canada, you can do it for $137. In the United States, the fee is anywhere from $150 to $500.

The question is, why would someone go to the trouble of doing that? Sometimes, it’s a matter of breaking a disturbing association with the past. Other times, it’s to pick a name that’s easier to pronounce, or something not so odd. (I once met a woman whose given name was Summer Worm. That must have brought her a lot of grief!)

A third reason for a name change is that the old name may not suit the individual’s new life. This has happened many times with movie stars. We think of actor John Wayne as a swaggering macho hero. But his original first name, Marion, might not fit that image. Neither did romantic actor Cary Grant seem to suit his given name Archie Leech. Nor does the name Leonard Slye seem as appealing as Roy Rogers.

There’s a gospel song writer who had a name problem too. It doesn’t seem that N. B. Vandall ever legally changed his name, but he called himself Jack Vandall to get away from what his parents christened him, Napoleon Bonaparte Vandall. The reason for their choice is not known. Napoleon had been dead for seventy-five years when Jack was born, and he has far from a sterling reputation in history.

Through faith in Christ, Jack Vandall had a kind of name change with eternal consequences: the Sinner (Rom. 3:23) became a Saint (I Cor. 1:2), the child of wrath (Eph. 2:3) became a child of God (Jn. 1:12). And one of the most amazing and thrilling things to the song writer was that his sins were gone. Gone! The Bible uses a variety of images to press home this point.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12).

“You [God] have cast all my sins behind Your back” (Isa. 38:17).

The Lord says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isa. 43:25).

“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19).

There’s a Roman practice connected with the crucifixion of Christ which is very revealing. Pilate didn’t intend it to illustrate a spiritual truth, but it does. When a condemned person was executed, a signboard was nailed above his head stating the nature of his crimes. This was to serve as a warning to others not to commit the same offense.

However Paul makes a spiritual application of this. When we trust in Christ as Saviour, it’s as though our sins, having been charged against Him, were paid for on the cross. He [God] has taken it [the accusation against us] out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). Our sins were judged at the cross. They no longer come between the Christian and the Lord. Our debt of sin has been paid in full.

1) You ask why I am happy so I’ll just tell you why,
Because my sins are gone;
And when I meet the scoffers who ask me where they are,
I say, my sins are gone.

They’re underneath the blood, on the cross of Calvary,
As far removed as darkness is from dawn;
In the sea of God’s forgetfulness, that’s good enough for me,
Praise God, my sins are gone.

3) When Satan comes to tempt me and tries to make me doubt,
I say, My sins are gone;
You got me into trouble, but Jesus got me out,
I’m glad my sins are gone.

Questions:
1) What does it mean to you, today, that your sins are “gone”?

2) What Scriptures have been especially helpful to you when the devil “tries to make [you] doubt”?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Jack Vandall)
The Cyber Hymnal (Jack Vandall)
Hymnary.org