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Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary

Words: John M. Moore (b. Sept. 1, 1925)
Music: John M. Moore

Note: The story of how this song came to be written is told on the Wordwise link at the end of this article. It is likely the best-known of over one hundred and fifty that Pastor Moore has written over the years.

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

The word “burden” speaks of many things: a load that is carried, a wearying weight, an affliction, an obligation of some kind, something that holds us down or holds us back. The Bible speaks of many different kinds of burdens. Life itself can be a burden at times. The things that happen to us, the responsibilities–either assumed by ourselves or put upon us by others.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the afflictions of our weak mortal bodies as a burden, and as a reason why Christians look forward to the resurrection bodies we will one day have (II Cor. 5:4; cf. Phil. 3:20-21). Our earthly labours also can be a burden, when we realize that whatever is gained in a material sense by our efforts will be left behind at death.

“What has man for all his labour, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.”

Ecc. 2:22-23

Even Christian service can be a burden. Yes, it is a joy to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but that does not mean it’s easy, or that there are no obstacles or challenges to be faced. Paul speaks of the daily burden of his “deep concern for all the churches” (II Cor. 11:28), churches that he had planted, or visited, or corresponded with. (His prayer list must have been a long one!) And he writes to the Corinthian church:

“We do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”

II Cor. 1:8

As believers, we ought to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). That “law” is likely the one that the Lord Jesus gave in the Upper Room Discourse, just before He went to the cross: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).

By the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit we are to seek to emulate the self-sacrificing agape love of Christ, and thus become burden bearers (agape being the Greek word used of Christ-like love).

In addition to human help with our burdens, there is the help of God, accessible through prayer. We are told, “Cast your burden on the LORD” (Ps. 55:22). The One seated at the right hand of the Father has experienced the burdens of life, and through Him we can “obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

Friends can be a help to us in many ways. However, there is one particular burden for which the Lord has the only answer. No other person can bear our burden of sin. David describes the crushing weight of it.

“There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”

(Psalm 38:3-4; cf. Psalm 32:3-5)

Beyond all the other burdens of life, how much more is it necessary for us to recognize our Saviour as the supreme Burden Bearer, bearing the weight of all our sins on the cross of Calvary.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (I Pet. 2:24).

For the burdens of life, the burdens of Christian service, and for the very burden of our sin, the Lord has provided an abundant answer. And there is a sense in which, whatever the burden, that answer begins at the cross of Christ. There He provided the means of access to the throne of grace to which we can bring all our burdens.

Though John Moore had the original inspiration for his song when he was privileged to lead a burdened sinner to the Saviour, his song makes a wider application to all the burdens of life.

Days are filled with sorrow and care,
Hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

Questions:

  1. What burden are you carrying today that you need to bring to the Lord?
  2. What burden is someone you know carrying that you can help to relieve by being a burden bearer?

Links:.

Children of the Heavenly Father

Words: Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg (b. October 3, 1832; d. July 27, 1903)
Music: Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara (composer unknown)

Note: Mrs. Berg is sometimes listed in hymnals as Lina Sandell (a diminutive of Karolina plus her maiden name), or as Lina Sandell Berg. (You will also find her first name sometimes spelled Carolina.) As to the English translation of this hymn, Ernst William Olson (1870-1958) emigrated to America from Sweden, at the age of five, with the rest of his family. He wrote a number of hymns himself, and translated many more, as he did this one in 1925.

Olson gave the song the title “A Hymn Born of a Broken Heart,” perhaps under the impression that it was Lina Sandell’s response of faith after the tragic death of her father in a boating accident in 1858. However, the hymn was written while she was still in her teens, and first published in 1855. There is an enduring tradition in the town where she lived that, as a teenager, Lina sat in a tree that still stands in the yard of her home, listening to the twitter of the birds in their nests on a warm summer evening. And that it was that experience that inspired the hymn.

One further note on the words. Some hymn books have taken the last stanza of the poem and made it the first, naming the hymn accordingly More Secure Is No One Ever. This is not a different hymn from Children of the Heavenly Father, simply a different arrangement of the stanzas. The tune name means literally “no one can be safer.” In some hymnals it’s referred to as a Swedish folk melody, but there is evidence that it may be of earlier German origin.

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

The title “Father” is used of God in every New Testament book with the exception of the tiny epistle of Third John. In nearly every one of his letters, Paul’s opening salutation refers to “God our Father” (e.g. I Cor. 1:3; Phil. 1:2; II Thess. 1:2). The name represents both His authority over His children (exercised in disciplining them, Heb. 12:5-11), and His loving care and guidance of them (II Cor. 1:3-4; I Thess. 2:11-12; cf. Ps. 103:13-14).

There is a limited sense in which God is the Father (i.e. the Progenitor) of all, in that He is the Creator of all. But our particular and personal relationship to Him as our Father comes when we are born again into the family of God, through faith in Christ (Jn. 1:12-13; Gal. 3:26). It’s then, as His blood-bought children, that the indwelling Spirit of God awakens in us a sense of that new relationship and we cry, “Abba, Father” (an affectionate expression meaning something like “dearest Father,” Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6).

But not all have the right to address the Almighty as “Father,” in this intimate sense. The concept of the universal fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man is not biblical. The same Lord Jesus who instructed His followers, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:9), also said of those who opposed Him, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (Jn. 8:44).

And the same Apostle Paul who wrote of “our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace” (II Thess, 2:16), also wrote of those outside of Christ as “the sons of disobedience,” and “by nature children of wrath [i.e. those destined for eternal wrath]” (Eph. 2:2, 3).

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

I Jn. 3:1-3

(1) Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

(5) Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

Questions:

  1. What are some of the things that are true of us because God is our heavenly Father, through faith in Christ?
  2. What does the Bible mean by the words “through,” “by” and “to,” in the text, “Through Him [Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18)?

Links:

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Words: Helen Howarth Lemmel (b. Nov. 14, 1863; d. Nov. 1, 1961)
Music: Helen Howarth Lemmel

Note: You’ll find more about Helen Lemmel, and about how this lovely 1922 gospel song came to be written, in the Wordwise link at the end of this article.

(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 not surprising that words such as “see” and “seeing” are found about a thousand times in our English Bibles. It’s a common word. And you can add hundreds more if you include forms of the words “look,” “behold,” “gaze,” or “view,” and so on. But not all of those have to do with sights seen with our physical eyes. More may be involved.

Sometimes, there is a physical seeing. But we can tell from the passage that there’s also an important inner dimension to the sight, an inner attitude behind the look. It may be faith, or despair, or lust, that’s involved, or something else. Whatever it is, there’s an inner sight that’s significant.

In the sad story of Abraham’s nephew Lot, he “lifted up his eyes and saw” the lush vegetation around the city of Sodom, and coveted it to graze his flocks and herds, in spite of the moral danger posed by that wicked city (Gen. 13:10-13). Later, the Lord Jesus speaks of the sin of looking at a woman, with an immoral purpose. “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28).

When it comes to faith in God, words such as “look” are sometimes used. In that case, there’s no physical sight involved–unless we take it to include the act of reading about Him in the Word of God. God says, “Look to Me and be saved” (Isa. 45:22), and we know that it’s speaking of an attitude of surrender, trust and utter dependency.

In the days of His flesh, John the Baptist cried to the multitudes, “Behold! The Lamb of God” That is no longer possible as it once was. But, even so, Hebrews says we need to be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” What’s called for is a thoughtful concentration. “Consider Him,” says the writer (Heb. 12:2, 3). Again, it is a look of faith that recognizes who Christ is, and what He has done for us.

Initially, we turn our attention to Him, and trust in Him for our eternal salvation, just as the Israelites gazed upon the serpent in the wilderness and were delivered from physical death (Num. 21:5-9; cf. Jn. 3:14-15). Then we look to Him in worship and fellowship, and look to Him for strength and guidance.

(1) O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Christians are also to be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13), when we shall indeed see the Saviour, face to face in all His glory. Seeing Him at His return is as certain to happen as His followers saw Him depart from this earth (Acts 1:10-11).

In the meantime, like Moses, we endure “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27). We see the Lord with Spirit-empowered eyes, the eyes of faith, as He is revealed in the Word of God, and through sharing that Word, we are to make Him known to others.

(3) His Word shall not fail you–He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Questions:

  1. In what other circumstances of life is a “look” far more than a physical act?
  2. What can hinder and cloud our spiritual sight? And what should we do about that?

Links:

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart

Words: Ernest Orlando Sellers (b. Oct. 29, 1869; d. Oct. 19, 1952)
Music: Ernest Orlando Sellers

Note: The Wordwise link below will give you a bit of information about the man who wrote this hymn exalting the inspired Word of God.

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

This simple gospel song emphasizes the importance of meditating upon and memorizing, the Word of God. It’s based on Psalm 119, which is a remarkable passage of Scripture. Its 176 verses make it not only the longest psalm, but the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s divided into twenty-two sections, one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has eight verses, each verse beginning with the particular Hebrew letter heading the section.

The subject is the Word of God. Only vs. 122 seems to contain no direct or indirect reference to the Bible–unless we think of “surety” (guarantee) as a reference to the living Word, the Lord, who is our Surety (Heb. 7:22). In the rest, various words are used to stand for the Scriptures. Terms (depending on the English translation) such as: ways, testimonies, precepts, commandments, commands, decrees, word(s), law, judgments, promise, faithfulness, appointment, justice, righteousness (or right), ordinances, and statutes.

Why go to all this trouble, working within such a structured design? The intent of the author, in using the pattern described, seems to be to declare that God’s Word is all the truth we need for our spiritual lives, “from A to Z.” If we want to know God’s blessing, if we need cleansing, if we want to walk in holiness, if we’re looking for rest for our souls, if we want discernment and guidance, protection, comfort and hope, deliverance and victory, it is all found in the pages of Holy Scripture.

Ernest Sellers would agree, and he echoes that basic message in his hymn. (1) is taken from vs. 105 of the psalm; the refrain is a virtual quotation of vs. 11, which is a response to the question, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word” (vs. 9).

(1) Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
A light to my path alway,
To guide and to save me from sin,
And show me the heav’nly way.

Thy Word have I hid in my heart,
That I might not sin against Thee;
That I might not sin, that I might not sin,
Thy Word have I hid in my heart.

Vs. 89-90 gave Mr. Sellers (2), about the enduring nature of the Word of God. This is a repeated theme in the Scriptures. The words and works of men may falter and fail, and will ultimately pass away, but the Word of God endures forever (cf. Isa. 40:6-8; I Pet. 1:24-25).

(2) Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word
Established and fixed on high;
Thy faithfulness unto all men
Abideth forever nigh.

(3) expresses a determination to praise and pray, and is a prayer for greater understanding. It seems to be inspired by vs. 44, 62, and 144 of the psalm.

Then (4) recognizes the One who has provided salvation. As an Old Testament saint, the psalmist prays, “Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD–Your salvation according to Your word” (vs. 41). As we turn to the New Testament, Simeon, holding the baby Jesus declares, “My eyes have seen Your salvation” (Lk. 2:30). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the fulfilment of the psalmist’s longing.

(4) Through Him whom Thy Word hath foretold,
The Saviour and Morning Star,
Salvation and peace have been brought
To those who have strayed afar.

Questions:

  1. What are the things for which you most often turn to the Word of God?
  2. What other hymns do you know and sing that exalt the Word of God? (If you need help thinking of some, check out the Cyber Hymnal’s topical list of 211 songs here.)

Links:

Saved!

Words: Oswald Jeffrey Smith (b. Nov. 8, 1889; d. Jan. 25, 1986)
Music: Roger M. Hickman (b. Nov. 28, 1888; d. Feb. 25, 1968)

Note: This uplifting gospel song has the dual distinction of having a one-word title (a relatively rare thing), and a refrain that is longer than the stanzas. On one occasion, it was a special encouragement to its struggling young author. To learn how, read the story on the Wordwise link at the bottom of this article.

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

Saved! It’s a word that Dr. Smith repeats over thirty times (counting the refrains), but it bears repeating. Various forms of the word (save, saved, saving, salvation) are found over 135 times in the New Testament. Another two dozen instances can be added when the word “Saviour” is included, so there is no doubt it is a major theme.

Though there are a few times when the word relates to a physical deliverance (as when Paul pledges that all on board ship will be “saved” from a storm, Acts 27:31), by far the vast majority have to do with spiritual and eternal salvation. So, what does it mean to be a saved individual in the biblical sense?

A definition: To be saved includes the thoughts of being rescued and delivered, made whole, and kept safe eternally.

That this salvation was provided for through Christ is attested to again and again. That He would be the Saviour was promised before He was even born (Matt. 1:21; cf. Lk. 2:11),“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Tim. 1:15). Not only that, but His saving, keeping work continues forever with His heavenly intercession (Heb. 7:25).

(1) Saved! saved! saved! my sins are all forgiv’n;
Christ is mine! I’m on my way to heav’n;
Once a guilty sinner, lost, undone,
Now a child of God, saved through His Son.

Saved! I’m saved through Christ, my all in all;
Saved! I’m saved, whatever may befall;
He died upon the cross for me,
He bore the awful penalty;
And now I’m saved eternally–
I’m saved! saved! saved!

Further, Christ is declared to be the only means of salvation (Jn. 3:36; 14:6; Acts 4:12). No good works or other means can ever save a lost sinner. When John writes about the new birth, he rules out any option other than being born of God, through faith in Christ (Jn. 1:12-13). The children of God are those born “not of blood [i.e a person’s blood-lines, what family they belong to], nor of the flesh [as a result of their physical birth], nor of the will of man [that is, man in an official position, such as through the rituals of a church].”

Salvation is by grace, meaning it is God’s free gift, accepted through faith in Christ (Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5). The Apostle Paul declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation” (Heb. 2:3).

“We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world” (I Jn. 4:14). “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 1:11).

(2) Saved! saved! saved! by grace and grace alone;
Oh, what wondrous love to me was shown,
In my stead Christ Jesus bled and died,
Bore my sins, for me was crucified.

Questions:

  1. How would you explain in a simple way why each of us needs God’s salvation, and how to receive it?
  2. In your view, what are the best hymns and gospel songs on the theme of God’s salvation?

Links:

Victory in Jesus

Words: Eugene Monroe Bartlett Sr. (b. Dec. 24, 1885; d. Jan. 25, 1941)
Music: Eugene Monroe Bartlett Sr.

Note: Mr. Bartlett wrote Victory in Jesus in 1939. His son, Eugene Monroe Bartlett Jr. (1918-1988), was also a gospel song writer.

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

Nike is a major manufacturer of sports equipment. You can see their name or prominently displayed symbol at virtually any athletic event. As of 2008, the company employed more than 30,000 people, and had revenues in excess of $18.6 billion per year. So what does a sporting giant have to do with the Bible? Just this. The Greek word nike (pronounced NEE-kay in Greek) is the Bible word for victory. In its various forms, it’s used many times in the New Testament.

As Mr. Bartlett’s song says, our spiritual victory is won “in Jesus,” and through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. There are aspects of that victory that are experienced the moment we put our faith in Christ. There are other aspects of our victory that are won day by day, as we walk in faith and obedience, and still others that await our translation to heaven. Here are some passages that speak of that victory.

Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome [have victory over] the world” (Jn 16:33). Christ is the great Overcomer, the supreme Victor, on whom our own victory is based. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome [have victory over] them, because He who is in you [the indwelling Holy Spirit] is greater than he who is in the world [Satan, cf. I Pet. 5:8]” (I Jn. 4:4).

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith” (I Jn. 5:4). That is, our faith in Christ is the means by which our victory is sealed and certain. This text was the basis for another gospel song, Faith Is the Victory, by John Yates. Notice, it’s through the new birth, being “born of God” (cf. Jn. 1:12-13) that we become overcomers. In that sense, all Christians are guaranteed ultimate victory, and the promises made in Revelation chapters 1 and 2 are for all believers, not just a superior few (Rev. 2:7; cf. 2:11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

Referring to persecution and other hardships many face in service for Christ the Word of God says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors [supreme victors] through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). To be more than victorious means not only to win the battle, but to claim the spoils of victory, territory or people previously held by the enemy. That’s exactly what the servants of Christ do. Those won to Christ through their service are rescued from Satan’s domain, and translated into the kingdom of God (Acts 26:17-18; Col. 1:13).

“These [the coming Antichrist and his followers] will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome [have victory over] them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Rev. 17:14

“When this corruptible [body] has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

I Cor. 15:54-58

(1) I heard an old, old story, how a Saviour came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O victory in Jesus, my Saviour forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him–
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

Questions:

  1. What aspects of the Christian’s spiritual victory are to be our present experience, and which ones are yet to come?
  2. What would you say to a believer who is struggling and who says he doesn’t feel very victorious?

Links:

God Is Still on the Throne

Words: Kittie Louise Jennett Suffield (b. Sept 16, 1884; d. Oct. 23, 1972)
Music: Kittie Louise Jennett Suffield

Note: Before her conversion at the age of nineteen, Mrs. Suffield had hopes of becoming a concert artist, either as a coloratura soprano or a pianist. But when she came to Christ, she dedicated all of her gifts to His service. This song was written in 1929, when the Suffields were in Portland, Oregon. Check out the Wordwise link below for the remarkable story of how Kitty met her husband-to-be, Fred, and also the influence she had on another well known gospel singer.

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

On December 11, 1936, Edward VII stunned the English people and the entire British Empire by announcing over the radio, “You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.” with that, he abdicated the throne–the only British monarch to do so voluntarily.

Edward had known Wallis Warfield Simpson for several years, but the potential “Abdication Crisis” rocked the nation through the months of 1936. Mrs. Simpson was an American and a divorcee (Edward was to be her third husband), and this was not an acceptable match, either to the Parliament or the Church of England (of which Edward was the titular head).

Aren’t you glad Almighty God does not stray into some dubious alliance and selfishly decide to abdicate His throne?

“The LORD is King forever and ever” (Ps. 10:16; 29:10). “The LORD shall reign forever” (Ps. 146:10). “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” (Ps. 103:19). “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Ps. 145:13). “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen” (I Tim. 1:17).

God is the “invisible” One, enthroned “in heaven.” The Apostle John was actually caught up into heaven and privileged to see that throne (Rev. 4:1-2), but that isn’t something we are able to do. Not yet. We know the Lord reigns, and reigns forever, because it is clearly taught in the Word of God. It’s something we know by faith. But our own senses sometimes seem to argue otherwise.

When world events evidence seemingly endless pain and suffering, and rampant wickedness, where is God? Is He still in control? In fact, David’s enemies mocked him with that very question: “Where is your God?” (Ps. 42:3, 10). “How come He isn’t helping you?” in other words. And there are times when we struggle with these issues. But Kittie Suffield’s song is a strong declaration of faith that, indeed, God has not abdicated His throne. Current circumstances notwithstanding, God is still in control, and working out His sovereign plan.

That’s true, even when we see “ones that once walked on the highway [go] back, and [we] seem all alone” (1). It’s true, even when we grow weary with the burdens of life (2). It’s true, even when we struggle financially “in a tent or a cottage” (3), and even when the Lord seems to have “forgotten His own” (4).

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32). God is indeed still enthroned in glory, and nothing happens to us that is beyond His sovereign control and ability to turn to a good purpose. Further, we know that one day He’ll return, and make all things right (Acts 1:10-11).

(4) He is coming again, is the promise
To disciples when He went away;
In like manner as He has gone from you,
You will see Him returning some day;
Does His tarrying cause you to wonder,
Does it seem He’s forgotten His own?
His promise is true, He is coming for you;
God is still on the throne.

God is still on the throne,
And He will remember His own;
Tho’ trials may press us and burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone;
God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true, He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.

Questions:

  1. What things in the world, or in your own life, can sometimes raise doubts about God’s presence and power?
  2. What is your answer to those who question your hope in Christ (I Pet. 3:15)?

Links:

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

Words: Civilla Durfee Martin (b. Aug. 21, 1866; d. March 9, 1948)
Music: Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (b. Aug. 18, 1856; d. Sept. 15, 1932)

Note: You can read something about the life of Civilla Martin, and how this song came to be written, on the Wordwise link below. Mrs. Martin’s husband tried to write a tune for her words, but wasn’t happy with the result. He then sent the text to Charles Gabriel, one of the most outstanding composers of gospel music in the early part of the twentieth century.

Mr. Gabriel added the tune and immediately sent the completed song to Charles Alexander, in England, where he was music director for R. A. Torrey, in a series of evangelistic meetings. The hymn was first sung there in 1905, in a great meeting in the Royal Albert Hall. From time to time on YouTube there’s a version sung by the peerless Ethel Waters. (Try this link…)


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

Yesterday I looked out at the bird feeder in our front yard and counted about thirty sparrows pecking away on the ground, all around the feeder, picking up seeds that had fallen there. The little sparrow is the commonest of birds, and it certainly doesn’t distinguish itself for its bright plumage. But that is what made the Lord’s choice of it so appropriate to teach a lesson on the loving care of God.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Lk. 12:6-7

There is, in philosophy, what is known as an a fortiori argument. The Latin phrase means “with even stronger reason.” The argument goes like this: If “A” is true, then it stands to reason that “B” is even more certainly true. That syllogism is used a number of times in the Bible, and it comes into play twice in the verses above.

Since God keeps His eye on each tiny, insignificant sparrow, it is surely even more certain that He will watch over each of His blood-bought children, human beings of whom the Bible says:

“You [Lord] have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of Your hands.”

Heb. 2:7

We are assured that “the very hairs of [our] head are all numbered.” And there again is an a fortiori argument. Since God is concerned about the hairs of our head, surely He’s interested in what happens to the rest of us, not only for time, but for all eternity!

  • Confirming that beyond all doubt is Calvary. How do we know God loves us? “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).
  • Even the Lord’s discipline of His child, painful though it may be at the time, is a reassurances of His love since, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens” (Heb. 12:6).
  • Then comes the invitation to pray, to bring our requests boldly (with cheerful confidence) to His throne, to seek mercy and grace (Heb. 4:15-16). There we find the Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities [sympathizes with our weaknesses].”
  • And we have the promise that the Lord is always with us, “even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20; cf. Heb. 13:5-6). He will never forsake us, and looks forward to having us with Him forever, in the heavenly kingdom (Jn. 14:3; 17:24).

This list could be much longer. But these things are sufficient to demonstrate the validity of what Mrs. Martin’s hymn says.

(1) Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Questions:

  1. What other evidence do you see, beyond what is mentioned, that the Lord values us and cares for us far more that “many sparrows”?
  2. Since this is true, how should it affect our daily lives, and our attitudes?

Links:

He Giveth More Grace

Words: Annie Johnson Flint (b. Dec. 24, 1866; d. Sept. 8:1932)
Music: Hubert Mitchell (b. ____, 1907; d. ____, 1995)

Note: Annie Johnson Flint entitled her original poem simply “He Giveth More.” Sometimes you see the last line of the first stanza of this superb hymn as “To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.” But Miss Flint’s original was “To multiplied trials His multiplied peace” (i.e. To multiplied trials [He addeth] His multiplied peace.)

The tune I’ve seen most often used with Miss Flint’s poem is not included on the Cyber Hymnal. It was written by Hubert Mitchell (1907-1995), and uses the third stanza as a repeated refrain.

(1) He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labours increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

The Mitchells worked together with evangelist Paul Rader. Hubert was his music director, played the accordion and piano, and led the singing. He and Helen sang duets together, and she sang solos. Hubert and his wife later served as missionaries in Indonesia. Helen died there in 1940, giving birth to their daughter Jean. This left Hubert with four children to care for. The words of “He Giveth More” were a great comfort to him. After being recalled (reluctantly) from the field, because of the War, Hubert Mitchell remarried, and served for many years with Youth for Christ.


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

The word “grace” in its various forms is found dozens of times in the Word of God. It speaks of the freely given favour and blessing of God. The Bible speaks of “great grace” (Acts 4:33), and an “abundance of grace” (Rom. 5:17). In fact, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom. 5:20). Whatever the need, “He giveth more grace” (Jas. 4:6, KJV, the text that inspired Miss Flint’s poem.

Though there was grace from the very beginning–otherwise sinners in Old Testament times had no hope of salvation–the grace of God was poured forth as a veritable flood with the coming of Christ. The Son of God was “full of grace and truth….And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace [grace heaped upon grace]. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:14, 16-17).

The believer is given an invitation to avail himself of God’s wonderful grace, whenever it is needed. His throne (and thus His rule over us) is characterized by grace. He delights to give to us, and give freely. And the “grace” He gives can be defined as divine enablement, the ability to face and to cope with our problems, the ability to fulfil our service for Him, and so on.

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but [He, Christ] was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Heb. 4:15-16

Paul’s testimony was:

“By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

I Cor. 15:10

The second stanza of Annie Johnson Flint’s great hymn, especially combined with what, in Mitchell’s setting, is the refrain, is simply overwhelming. It’s difficult to conceive of a more powerful statement of how the Lord abundantly meets our need.

(2) When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Questions:

  1. What need has the Lord met in your life, by His grace, during the past week?
  2. Paul speaks of “the riches” and “the exceeding riches” of God’s grace (Eph. 1:7; 2:7). What all would you include in those riches?

Links:

Does Jesus Care?

Words: Frank Ellsworth Graeff (b. Dec. 19, 1860; d. July 29, 1919)
Music: Joseph Lincoln Hall (b. Nov. 4, 1866; d. Nov. 29, 1930)

Note: J. Lincoln Hall, composer of the tune, was a well-known and accomplished contributor to the field of sacred music.

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

For Frank Graeff, the question he asks is not simply a matter dry theory. Though he had a generally upbeat and positive personality, he went through a number of severe trials. He knew what it meant to say “the burdens press, and cares distress,” and his song is a personal testimony to his faith.

But the victory did not come without a struggle. We do not know the trial that precipitated it, but for a time he lost sight of the Saviour and he tells us his “whole attitude had become one of despair and defeat.” It was the song of another hymn writer that lifted his spirits. In his extremity he began to sing the well known words of Joseph Scriven:

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.

As he turned to the Lord again in prayer, his faith was strengthened, and the words of a new song were born. Of approximately two hundred that he wrote, it is the only one in common use today. He said later of it: “The hymn seems to carry comfort and hope to troubled hearts, and I am glad I had the inspiration to write it.”

(1) Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares.

That is the joyful response of faith. But when the question is found in Scripture, other feelings lie behind it.

One time when the Lord Jesus travelled across the Sea of Galilee with His disciples, a great storm arose. In terror, the men roused their sleeping Master. “He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ (Mk. 4:38). What a question! The irony of it is striking. Why had He come to this earth? To save those who are perishing and destined for eternal ruin (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 3:16).

On another occasion, the Lord was visiting in the home of Mary and Martha. Mary sat at His feet, absorbing His teaching. But “Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me’” (Lk. 10:40).

If the first example represents fear’s mastery over faith (Mk. 4:40), the second strikes at the root of values and priorities (Lk. 10:41-42).

We all struggle with both of these. It’s so easy for anxiety and fretful worry to cloud our vision of who Christ is, and of His loving concern for us. Or, we become so busy (sometimes with perfectly legitimate concerns) that we allow the good to rob us of the best. At such times the Lord seeks to remind us of what really counts for eternity. In the words of Pastor Graeff, “Oh yes, He cares.” The song addresses four examples of things we wrestle with in our Christian lives.

In (1), it’s the general category of the burdens and trials we face day by day. In (2), it’s a “nameless dread.” That can be most insidious. We feel anxious, and can’t pinpoint any particular cause. In (3), the song speaks of times we stumble into sin, and grieve because we have failed the Lord. Finally, in (4), we have the painful separation that the death of a loved one brings. In all of these, and more, the Lord cares for His own.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Ps. 27:13-14). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (Ps. 34:15). “[Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (I Pet. 5:7).

Questions:

  1. What particular worry or anxiety have you been struggling with in recent days?
  2. What has been an encouragement to you? (Or where will you turn to find encouragement?)

Links:

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