Sing and Make Melody - Purer in Heart, O God, Help Me To Be

    For the final hymn in our "Sing and Make Melody in Your Heart" series I have selected a song that is a plea we all should be making to God, a plea for purity:

"Purer In Heart, O God"

(written by Fannie E C Davison, 1877)

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;

May I devote my life wholly to Thee

Watch Thou my wayward feet;

Guide me with counsel sweet;

Purer in heart, help me to be.

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;

Teach me to do Thy will most lovingly.

Be Thou my friend and guide;

Let me with Thee abide;

Purer in heart, help me to be.

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;

That I Thy holy face one day may see.

Keep me from secret sin;

Reign Thou my soul within;

Purer in heart, help me to be.

    All I could find out about the writer of this song was her life span: 36 years (1851 - 1887). This song is known to have been written in 1877, when she was 26 years old.

    A sincere prayer, a plea for purity of heart.
    Seeking God and asking His help.
    Simply beautiful.

"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." (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV)

    Do you have this hope? Are you a child of God? If so, purify yourself!

purify - it is a verb, an action - a daily action, sometimes a moment to moment action. It means to make/keep pure, to continually remove anything that pollutes or contaminates. A conscientious heart is needed to keep watch always.

    What can pollute our hearts? The all-encompassing answer - SIN. The more problem specific answer - anything that tempts you or turns your attention from God and godly behaviour. I'll list a few:

~ Lust/Pornography: It. Is. Everywhere. Let's keep it simple. If you are married, your husband is the only person you have the right to look at (or think about) in any state of undress. Period. Do not allow yourself to see (or think about) someone's nakedness in reality, in a book, OR on a screen. God has blessed you with the gift of marriage, don't disregard it or disrespect it, honour it!

If you are NOT married, there is NO ONE in this world whom you have a right to be viewing (or thinking about) in any state of undress, in reality, in a book, OR on a screen. It's just that simple. Sexual temptation is one of the strongest tools the devil has in his toolbox. Be diligent about your purity in this matter. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Ephesians 5:1-7, and consider Matthew 5:27-30 (not a command only for men).

~ Filthy Language/Swearing: If it's in your heart, it will come out of your mouth. Don't let it in. Turn off the reel/streaming/TV. Stop the conversation. If it is in your heart already, begin purifying your heart, determine daily to remove it from your thoughts (Psalm 19:14). Please read Colossians 3:1-17 and Ephesians 4:29-32.

~ Complaining: Complaining is a way of life in North America. The world allows you to believe that it shows your acute awareness of your surroundings and your supposed rights. We complain about everything. Sarcastic humour is everywhere. Did you know that when you complain you bring yourself down, you bring others down, and you disobey God? Read Philippians 4:14-15. What can you do instead of complaining? "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

~ Anger: Anger/agitation can make us spew complaints. We are to be very careful of our anger. The only rightful anger is that of defending God and His word if it is being blasphemed, but that type of anger does not lose its rational thought, it does not lose control; it is under complete control and appropriate and allows our words/behaviour to be in check (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Colossians 4:5-6). So if your anger does not fit that description, purify your heart of it. Stop and get it under control. Work daily at it. Some verse to study: Psalm 4:4-5, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19-20, Colossians 3:1-17, also consider Proverbs 29:11.

~ Jealousy: Jealousy and coveting what others have/get is another problem area that spurs on complaints. Are your resentful of the work you have to do? You finish your “paying job” and you have another whole day’s worth of work waiting for you: tidying up the house/yard, making dinner, washing the dishes, doing the laundry… you see your husband and family lounging on the couch waiting for their evening meal and you start complaining how you’re the only one who does any work in the house, nobody appreciates you, etc. etc. If jealousy-based complaining is your weakness, pause in your complaining and consider ALL that you have: a functioning body and mind, a husband and/or family to love, food to serve them, amenities to make your life easier. Take the time to read and really think on James 3 and 4 this week. Read and re-read those two chapters and add in Psalm 73. Pray that God would help you overcome your compulsive complaining and develop a heart that is pure in its praise and appreciation of God's gifts and blessings!  

    Trust in God. He will give you the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:18). Trusting in His goodness, His rightness, and His hope He has given you will help you to keep yourself pure in heart every day. 

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:7-8,10 NKJV)

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be!

You can do it! So can I!!

Link to listen to hymn:

Sing and Make Melody - Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart

    This week let's think on a simple song of praise:

"Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart"

(written by Henry Smith, 1978)

Give thanks with a grateful heart;

Give thanks to the Holy One;

Give thanks because He's given

Jesus Christ, His Son.

(Repeat)

And now let the weak say, "I am strong",

Let the poor say, "I am rich",

Because of what the Lord has done for us.

And now let the sick say, "I am whole",

Let the bound say, "I am free",

Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks (give thanks),

give thanks (give thanks),

give thanks!

    A simple song that reminds us of a vitally important part of our daily life - giving of thanks to the Lord.

    There are 33 verses throughout the Bible that include the term "give thanks." In Psalm 107 alone, it shows up 5 times in this way: "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." In every case, the thanks is directed to the Lord.

"Now let the weak say, "I am strong""

    Paul recounts his pleading three times to the Lord for a "thorn in the flesh" to be removed, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Jesus answered Paul in this way, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

    How does Paul respond to this? "Therefore most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak then am I strong." (NKJV)

    When we wholly lean on God in our physical troubles, He shows us His strength and upholds us and helps us. He makes us strong and able to endure!

"Let the poor say, "I am rich""

    James instructs us to not show partiality toward people. In Chapter 2, verse 5 he reminds, "Listen, my beloved brethren; has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of heaven which He promised to those who love Him?"

"Let the sick say, "I am whole""

    Similar to the account of Paul and his physical ailment, we need to be able to look past the temporary and see the big picture. If you are a Christian, a child of God, you are whole. God has made you whole - spiritually. Your body may fail, but it is only a tent/jar/vessel for your soul. Focus on keeping your soul healthy and whole by reading, studying, and applying God's word and being thankful to Him for the hope we have through Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10)!

"Let the bound say, "I am free""

    "For you are all sons of God though faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-29) This neutralizes/does away with every "class" the world has ever created to categorize/separate people - religious, social, and gender. God sees His children. He has told us to see fellow Christians as brothers and sisters. Equal. Joint heirs (Romans 8:16-17).

    All of these statements can be boldly declared because the Lord has provided us with strength (Ephesians 6:10-18), riches (Colossians 2:2-3, Ephesians 2:6-7), wholeness (1 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 3 John 2), and freedom (Acts 2:38, Romans 6, Galatians 5:22-23, "against such there is no law")!

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad." 
(Psalm 126:3 NKJV)

    I encourage you to give thanks to the Lord this week - in abundance! He has blessed us with so much, let's show appreciation for it!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart safely trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

and with my song I will praise Him."

(Psalm 28:7 NKJV)

    Fill your heart up with praise and thanksgiving and join in singing with understanding!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Link to hymn:

Sing and Make Melody - Is It For Me, Dear Saviour?

    As we continue with the "Sing and Make Melody in Your Heart" series, the song I have selected for this week asks us a question:

"Is It For Me, Dear Savior?"

(by Frances R. Havergal, 1871)

Is it for me, dear Savior, Thy glory and Thy rest,

For me, so weak and sinful? Oh, shall I be so blessed?

Chorus:

O Savior, my Redeemer, what can I but adore,

And magnify and praise Thee and love Thee evermore?

Is it for me, Thy welcome, Thy gracious "Enter in."

For me They "Come, ye blessed", for me so full of sin?

(Chorus)

O Savior, precious Savior, My heart is at Thy feet;

I bless Thee, and I love Thee, And Thee I long to meet.

(Chorus)

I'll be with Thee forever, and never grieve Thee more;

Dear Savior, I must praise Thee, and love Thee evermore.

(Chorus)

    This song is written from the perspective of someone who is 'poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3). They recognize their need for a Saviour ("me, so weak and sinful") and with humble hearts they joyfully praise God for the gracious gift He freely gives ("...what can I but adore and magnify and praise Thee and love Thee evermore," consider Ephesians 2:1-13).

    God wants us to recognize our need for Him. He wants us to seek Him and find Him (Acts 17:26-27), and that takes humility on our part! God wants us to humbly submit to His will, acknowledging His love and care shown through His commands. God does not want us to see ourselves as worthless rags, constantly wondering if He hears our prayers or if we are worthy of His time and/or blessings. I have heard true humility defined as, "not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." Humility is not berating ourselves continually, it is thinking more of God and His goodness and giving Him all the glory for the blessings you receive!

    God wants us to joy in Him! He wants us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Does a plant that refuses to lift its head toward the sun grow and flourish as it should? Lift your face to God, trust in His love, trust in His forgiveness when you repent of your sins, trust in His ability to help you and "make all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).

    I especially like that third stanza of this song: 

"O Savior, precious Savior, My heart is at They feet;

I bless Thee, and I love Thee, And Thee I long to meet"

    What does it mean to "bless" God? We often think of blessed meaning "happy or joyfully content" - and it does mean that when Jesus teaches the beatitudes in Matthew 5, but in this case, when used toward God (ex: Ephesians 1:3), 'bless' means to "eulogize" - 'to speak beautiful words (about).'

    As Christians, we are to bless God. Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Focus on the thought repeated in verses 6, 12, and 14: "to the praise and the glory of His grace" (v.6), "to the praise of His glory" (vv.12, 14). Also read and consider 1 Peter 2:9.

    We are to speak beautiful words about Him! We are to give Him praise, we are to give Him the glory! How can we do that if we consider ourselves worthless? How can we declare His greatness and the depths of His love, if we refuse to delve into them ourselves?

    So when you sing this song and you wonder, "Is it for me? Is the dear Saviour's glory and rest for me?" Let your mind and heart answer with a resounding "YES!!! It is for me!!" And let your heart pour out its praise and appreciation for God's love, mercy, and grace!! Let your mind and mouth fill with beautiful words to speak about God and declare His wonderful goodness! 

You can do it! So can I!!

Link to hymn:

Sing and Make Melody - Hold To God's Unchanging Hand

    As we continue our "Sing and Make Melody in Your Heart" series, I would like to focus this week on a song that encourages us to cling to God, no matter what. The song I have selected for today is: "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand" written by Jennie Wilson (in 1904) and set to a tune made by F L Eiland (in 1905).

Time is filled with swift transition;

Naught of earth unmoved can stand.

Build your hopes on things eternal;

Hold to God's unchanging hand.

Chorus:

Hold to God's unchanging hand!

Hold to God's unchanging hand!

Build your hopes on things eternal;

Hold to God's unchanging hand!

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring;

If by earthly friends forsaken,

Still more closely to Him cling.

Covet not this world's vain riches

That so rapidly decay.

Seek to gain the heav'nly treasures;

They will never pass away!

When your journey is completed,

If to God you have been true,

Fair and bright the home in glory

Your enraptured soul will view.

    This hymn encourages all to cling to God. Cling to Him, knowing life is frail and temporary; having hope in life eternal through Him. Cling to Him, knowing people in our life can hurt us, but God can heal us. Cling to Him when the world encourages you to accumulate more and more "things"; let your abundance be in your faith and good works (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

    If ever a verse could be described as beseeching - the chorus surely fits this description! "Hold to God's unchanging hand! Build your hopes on things eternal; hold to God's unchanging hand!" The chorus is begging you to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8)! It earnestly encourages you to trust God; to be assured of His promises and His help!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

and comes down from the Father of lights, with 

whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." 

(James 1:17 NKJV)

    This is God's unchanging hand! Cling to it! Hold it! Trust in it!

    God, through the prophet Isaiah, assured Israel of His help when He declared, "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand... For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:10; 13)

    Today, we too, can be assured of God's help because God is faithful and what He promises He also fulfills. We can trust Him. "All the promises of God through Christ are yes and in Him Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20) - there is no fluctuation or variation - if He said it, it stands - it will be, just as He said it would. His promises are yes. That is God's unchanging hand!

    Let us be like Abraham who "did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was was also able to perform" (Romans 4:20-21).

    Trust that God's hand is unchanging! There is blessing and reward (Hebrews 11:6). There is help (Hebrews 4:16). There is hope (Romans 6:23, 1 John 2:25). Cling to Him with your whole heart, mind, and soul!!

You can do it! So can I!!

Link to listen to the hymn:

Sing and Make Melody - I Stand in Awe

    Good morning! As we continue in our "Singing and Making Melody in Your Heart" series, I've selected a hymn that helps us magnify God:

"I Stand in Awe" 

(Written by Mark Altrogge, 1987)

You are beautiful beyond description,

Too marvelous for words,

Too wonderful for comprehension,

Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?

Who can fathom the depths of Your love?

You are beautiful beyond description,

Majesty enthroned above.

And I stand, I stand in awe of You;

I stand, I stand in awe of You;

Holy God, to whom all praise is due,

I stand in awe of You.

    David proclaims, in Psalm 33:8, "Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him."

    I find myself stuttering somewhat (in mind and mouth) when I've reached the limits of my own vocabulary in trying to declare how wonderful God is! I feel like David when he openly stated in Psalm 139:6, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it."

    How do we comprehend God in all His glory?

    Philippians 4:7 informs us that the peace of God "surpasses all understanding" - but we can experience it! Paul's prayer for the saints in Ephesus was that they, "being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-21). He finishes his prayer with giving praise and glory to God: "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

'the love of Christ which passes knowledge'

'filled with all the fullness of God'

'able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think'

    WOW! No matter what lofty level of intelligence humankind can attain, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than that!!

    As we grow in the Lord we begin to comprehend the glory of God and the love of Christ. Throughout our lives we should continue to comprehend more and more as we study and grow in our understanding of His word and in appreciation of His gracious blessings.

Magnificent! Majestic! All glory and praise to our glorious Father!!

    Meditate on the bible verses mentioned today and let prayer and praise flow from your heart! How would you describe God and His glorious attributes? How do you describe Christ's love? Share your descriptions in a comment below!

    With the words of praise in your mind, click on the link and join in singing today's prayerful song!

"Remember to magnify His work, of which men have sung." 

(Job 36:24 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

Sing and Make Melody - Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen

    This week, we will look at a spiritual song that teaches us as we sing:

"Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen"

Written by Albert W T Orsborn (1916) 

Stanzas 2-3 written by George L Johnson (1934)

Let the beauty of Jesus seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity.

May His spirit divine all my being refine;

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

When somebody has been so unkind to you,

Some word spoken that pierces you through and through,

Think how He was beguiled, spat upon and reviled,

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

From the dawn of the morning to close of day,

In example, in deeds, and in all you say,

Lay your gifts at His feet, ever strive to keep sweet,

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

    Jesus exemplified the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We need to walk as He walked (1 John 2:3-6) so that the fruit of the Spirit can be developed in us as well!

    This song, I believe, is based on 1 Peter 2:18-24. I encourage you to read this passage. I will highlight some of the thoughts written there:

    First, Peter speaks of servants submitting to their master, the kind masters and also the harsh. He says in verse 19, "...this is commendable if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully." "...when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." (v. 20)

    What?? Why??

    Here's why: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps." (v.21)

• Jesus committed no sin
• There was no deceit (deception/fraud) found in Jesus' mouth
• When Jesus was reviled (criticized in an angry, abusive, and insulting way), He did not revile in return
• When Jesus suffered, He did not threaten
• Jesus committed Himself to "Him who judges righteously"

    Think about that for a moment. Jesus was in the middle of a trial for His life and saw and heard all the hate-filled lies being said about Him and instead of reacting, He committed Himself to the only One who knew the truth - the One who judges righteously - His Father in heaven.

    Do we trust that God knows the truth? Do we trust that He knows our heart and our clear conscience in a matter when we are being accused of wrong? Do we commit to Him in these situations, knowing He is the righteous judge who sees what man does not/cannot?

    Jesus bore our sins on the cross. Why did He do that? Why did He suffer wrongfully?
Why did He silently allow these things to happen to Him?

    So that we, having died to sins (Romans 6:2-4), might live for righteousness!! It was by Jesus’ suffering/death that we have a hope - that we have healing!!

    How do you live for righteousness?

    You follow Jesus' example!

    Though you may face times of struggle and hurt you do not revile nor spit out angry, abusive, insulting words. You do not threaten - nor even think it in your heart! You trust that God sees and God knows, allowing you to be still. You let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you!

    Pray to the One who judges righteously! Ask Him for wisdom and help to live like Jesus, in the beauty and holiness of humble obedience!

    Meditate on 1 Peter 2:18-14 this week and let this song remind you of Jesus' beautiful example and His desire for you to live for righteousness!!

You can do it! So can I!!

Sing and Make Melody - I Will Wake The Dawn With Praises

We have so much to be thankful for, don't we! As soon as we wake up in the morning, we have already been showered with blessings: life, breath, a new day, eyesight, smell, taste, feelings, touch... innumerable blessings!!

The song I have selected for this week is "I Will Wake The Dawn With Praises" written by Sarah J Fuhrman in 2001.

Dawn and sunset, fierce and joyful,

Each reflects His mighty ways.

With the sea and sky before me,

I will give Him all my praise.

Chorus:

I will wake the dawn with praises!

I will speak His name abroad.

I will worship Him forever,

He my Lord, my only God.

Stars will joy in praises from me;

"Lesser light" will know my voice.

When I give my God His glory,

Night will hear me and rejoice.

Shout His glory, brothers, sisters;

Laud His name and do His will.

Like the sands upon the shoreline

Are the praises due Him still.

(Copyright 2001 Sarah J Fuhrman and Glenda B Schales)

    In the book of Psalms, David declared, "I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth." (Psalm 57:8-11 and 108:1-5)

• To meet each new day with a heart that is "steadfast" (Psalm 57:7 and 108:1), whose constancy is in its gratitude for the Lord. 
• To approach each new day with ready thanksgiving for the blessings you have received upon waking, the blessings you have received that have brought you to this day, and the blessings you trust to receive as you go through your day because you wholly trust in God's promises for help, care, love, and provision. 
• To want to wake even before the day has started to declare God's greatness, thank Him, and give Him the glory due His name 

    What a beautiful way to begin any day!!

    Pause and thank God each day for as many blessings as you can list. May you praise Him for His abiding love and glory and sing this song with love and understanding! 

You can do it! So can I!!

Sing And Make Melody - How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?

    The song I have selected this week asks a question: How Shall the  Young Secure Their Hearts? It is a teaching song (to us) as well as a declaration of the wondrous beauty of God's truth - the Bible!

How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?

(written by Isaac Watts in 1719)

How shall the young secure their hearts

And guard their lives from sin?

Thy word the choicest rules imparts

To keep the conscience clean,

To keep the conscience clean.

Tis, like the sun a heav'nly light

That guides us all the day,

And through the dangers of the night

A lamp to lead our way,

A lamp to lead our way.

The word is everlasting truth,

How pure is every page!

That holy book shall guide our youth

And well support our age,

And well support our age.

    This hymn is based on several passages found in Psalms 119. Look at these wonderful verses:

"How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

For Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You."

(Psalm 119:9-11 NKJV)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

(Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

"You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth.

Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old 

that You have founded them forever."

 (Psalm 119:151-152 NKJV)

    I encourage you today to make time to read the whole of Psalm 119. It is a wonderful psalm of joyful submission to God's word, and a song of depending on God and His faithfulness for help! Please read it!

    Consider the last verse of the hymn: 

God's word is everlasting truth, how pure is every page!
That holy book shall guide our youth and well support our age.

    1 Peter 1:25 states "the word of the Lord endures forever." In Psalm 119:89 the psalmist declares, "Forever, O LORD, Your word stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations." All generations! We've already read verses that declare the benefits of seeking God in our youth and applying His instruction as we develop but we need to remember that we also have support in our older years; God does not forget us, His word does not fail us. His instruction grows in value and His teachings result in increasing wisdom, so we in turn can encourage a new generation to seek Him!

    Look at this picture of old age:

"The righteous flourish like the palm tree

and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord;

they flourish in the courts of our God.

They still bear fruit in old age;

they are ever full of sap and green,

to declare that the Lord is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

(Psalm 92:12-15 NKJV)

    God is good and greatly to be praised!! Encourage the young to seek Him! Encourage the old to trust in Him! No matter your age, secure your heart to Him!! Only in Him do we have the Lamp and the Light that can guide our way! Please read Psalm 119 this week and sing this hymn with understanding!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Sing And Make Melody - It Is Well With My Soul

    This week in our 'Singing and Making Melody' series I've selected a hymn that declares a willingness to continue to trust in God no matter what happens in life: "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873

    Horatio Spafford was a prominent American lawyer who, invested in significant properties in Chicago in the 1860s, and then lost a sizable amount of his investment in the Great Fire of Chicago of 1871.

    Two years later, wanting to take a family vacation in Europe, knowing his preacher friend, Dwight L. Moody, would be preaching in England in the Fall, planned the trip accordingly. Due to business demands Spafford sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters, Anna "Annie" (11), Margaret Lee "Maggie" (9), Elizabeth "Bessie" (5), and Tanetta (2), ahead of him, planning on joining them a short time later.

    On November 22, 1873, while sailing across the Atlantic, an iron sailing vessel struck the ship Anna and her daughters were on. 226 people lost their lives, including all four of the Spafford children. Anna sent a telegram to Horatio stating, "Saved alone."

    It was while Horatio sailed across the Atlantic himself to be with Anna that he thought of these words; as he followed the same course and traveled over the waters where his daughters perished, this hymn was shaped and written.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well, with my soul."

Chorus:
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
and hath shed His own blood for my soul. 
[Chorus]

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious tho't! -
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 
[Chorus]

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend -
Even so, it is well with my soul.
[Chorus]

(as written in the hymnal, "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs", Copyright 2012, Sumphonia Productions LLC)

    Could you write a hymn to the Lord after such tragedy?

    Mr. Spafford never turned his back on the Lord. It seems that he leaned on him even more heavily for help and comfort. We can learn much from this!

    Consider these words found in Habakkuk 3:17-19:

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labour of the olive may fail,

and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

and there be no herd in the stalls -

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills."

(NKJV)

    We have a Lord who can sympathize with our struggles and troubles (Hebrews 4:14-15). He tells us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). This is a true statement - a real promise of help!

    Almost nine years ago, I lost my Mom very suddenly (of a heart attack), she was only 65 years old and had just had a clean bill of health from her cardiologist. But on a Sunday afternoon in late April, after worshiping with the brethren and going out to lunch with a few of them, my Dad & Mom returned home. My Mom went into the house, walked to the fridge to put the bottle of communion juice away, turned to put her slippers on and collapsed, never to open her eyes in this world again.

    Within a couple hours of this happening, we arrived home (we live four hours south of my parents), and were met by my Aunt & Uncle and cousin, who accepted the role of bearing the heartbreaking news to my family (and my siblings).

    I went with my husband and daughters to worship service that evening and was embraced by my spiritual family there (the church is a wonderful blessing from God!) and spent most of rest of the night praying to God.

    I asked Him to help our family, to help and be near my Dad who was 4 hours away, in the house by himself, in shock at the loss of his wife of 47 years. I praised God for the blessing of my Mom - I had her for 41 years - I am blessed! I thanked Him for her love and gentleness and her example in following Him in her walk as a Christian. He blessed me with moments of sleep and when I would wake I would again ask for help, praise Him, and thank Him.

    Through Him, Mom had hope. Through Him, I have hope. I will one day stand again, shoulder to shoulder with my Mom as we, together, join with all the others who have 'gone on', to sing God's praises!

    I, and my family, faced the next several days with a peace that was indescribable! That's what the peace of God is - see Philippians 4:6-7 - it surpasses understanding and it guarded our hearts and minds!!

    Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!! 

    God's promises are REAL!! He is faithful to keep them!! Never turn from Him! Always, and with all your being, turn to Him!! Lean on Him, receive help, comfort, peace, grace, and mercy from Him in your time of need!

    Think on Habakkuk 3:17-19 today. Thank God for His faithfulness! Thank Him for His care and provision in good times and bad! Sing the song selected for this week with understanding. Declare for yourself that, no matter what happens in this life, because you wholly trust in God "It Is Well With Your Soul."

You can do it! So can I!!

Sing and Make Melody in Your Heart

    It's time for a new series of study: "Sing and Make Melody In Your Heart" 

    I've been thinking of this for a little while now and thought, as we near Spring, it would be a great time to run with it! 

    This week I chose a hymn of praise that happens to be one of my earliest remembered favourites: "Holy, Holy, Holy" written by Reginald Heber in 1826. This hymn is based on the scene and song mentioned in the fourth chapter of the book of Revelation, this song is one of beautiful praise to the "LORD God Almighty."

Holy, holy, holy! LORD God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!

God over all and blest eternally.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting downs their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who wert and art, and ever more shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful men Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! LORD God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!

God over all and blest eternally.

(As found in the hymnal, "Psalms, Hymns, And Spiritual 

Songs," Copyright 2012, Sumphonia Productioons, LLC)

    In Revelation 4:8 the four living creatures "do not rest day or night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" and when the four living creatures give "glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever" the twenty-four elders "fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever" they cast their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things and by Your will they exist and were created."

    Read the whole of Revelation chapter 4. Take the time to meditate on the beauty described within that scene of praise and honour and glory! Take note of the jewel-like description of the One who sits on the throne. Take note of the rainbow around the throne, "like an emerald." The "sea of glass, like crystal" that spreads out before the throne of God. It's breath-taking!!

    Pause for a moment and think on Revelation 4. Picture it in your mind. Isn't it wonderful? Now, sing this hymn of praise ~ I've attached a link, if you are in need of the tune!

    If the Lord wills, bring the scene in Revelation 4 to your mind each day this week. Let the tune of this melody flow through your heart as you consider the worthiness of God to receive glory and honour and praise-filled thanksgiving!! Magnify Him in your heart as tune your lips to sing His praise!

Sing and make melody in your heart!

You can do it! So can I!!