In Thursday's blog, I ended by talking about staying focused on God. It brought to mind an old chorus that we used to sing years ago and started me thinking about the hymns that we sang when I was growing up in the Baptist church.
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.*
I love this chorus because even as I sing it I am drawn to His face. As I gaze into his eyes that are full of love for me, all the things that I'm concerned about, all the things that pull me in a million different directions are no longer foremost in my mind.
I love the contemporary praise and worship songs that are sung in many churches today, including my church. But I miss the old hymns. I grew up in a Baptist church long before praise and worship songs were popular. To me, the hymns have a foundation to them; they are an affirmation to my faith. These hymns are a legacy from which we are depriving our children, and our children's chidren.
A favorite hymn of a dear friend of mine is Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. I can remember hearing her sing it so many times. It was her testimony.
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more! **
My grandfather's favorite hymn was It is Well With My Soul. It was his testimony.
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.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
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!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my 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.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul. ***
These hymns and many others have a legacy, a message that we must not lose.
What hymn(s) is your testimony?
* Helen H. Lemmel, 1922, Public Domain
** Louisa M. R. Stead, 1882, Public Domain
***Horatio Spafford, 1873, Public Domain
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4 comments:
Edwina:
I miss the old hymns. But I like the praise and worship music. I find the newer music reflects God,as well. At our church, we have a blended service. By that, I mean we have a couple of old hymns and some praise and worship music. The congregation has people in their 80s and a few in their 90s
and they all seem to enjoy singing praises to God, no matter what way.
Mansion over the Hilltop,my Daddy used to sing this song in church,it goes in that land where we will never grow old,and i like your grandaddy's song IT IS WELL,WITH MY SOUL.And oh!what a good feeling to be able to say it is well,with my soul. JEANINE
Cecile,
Thanks for your comments! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jeanine,
I remember Uncle Ellis singing that song. He had a wonderful singing voice, but more importantly, when he sang, you could tell that the Holy Spirit was present.
I hope you and all the family has a blessed Thanksgiving!
Love,
Edwina
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