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Hymn Devotions Day 25 – O For A Thousands Tongues
DAY 25 – O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES
For this day, I have chosen to include all the verses that Charles Wesley wrote. This song was his celebration of the one year anniversary of his salvation, and what a great tribute to the Lord it is.
I know that not all of us remember the date of our salvation, but why not make it a practice to designate one day a year (if you do remember the date, use it) to write a poem of thanks to the Lord for His great salvation?
If you cannot write a poem, maybe a prayer or a song or draw a picture of thanks would be possible. Take some time studying Wesley’s poem for inspiration.
Since we don’t have a thousand tongues to sing with, why not use the one we have in a thousand ways? Join with brothers and sisters and together we can raise hundreds of thousands of tongues in harmony to praise the King of Kings.
I particularly love the verse that talks about how Jesus’ blood makes even the foulest sinner clean, even me. When I reflect on my numerous sins, I am amazed that God would want to save me. I am so grateful that His mercy and grace was given to me, the most undeserving person I know. Wesley puts it so well toward the end of his poem – harlots, publicans, thieves – saved is the sinner that believes from crimes as great as mine. Their sins are no worse than mine, their punishment is the same, eternal damnation unless they, just like I, repent and throw ourselves on the mercy of Jesus. How wonderful to know He forgives sins and pardons the sinner.
Lord, help me to use the tongue I have to always praise Your name. Help me use it to witness for You, witness of You, and testify of Your great mercy and forgiveness. Help me to proclaim Your salvation to all.
O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES – Charles Wesley
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to His voice, New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come, And leap, ye lame, for joy.
In Christ your Head, you then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
Glory to God, and praise and love Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above, The church in earth and heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone And filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife, ’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life I then began to live.
Then with my heart I first believed, Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received To call the Savior mine.
I felt my Lord’s atoning blood Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God, For me, for me He died!
I found and owned His promise true, Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew When written on my heart.
Look unto Him, ye nations, own Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid: The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty nature’s sleep, And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep, And wash the Æthiop white.
Harlots and publicans and thieves In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes From crimes as great as mine.
Murderers and all ye hellish crew In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you; For me the Savior died.
With me, your chief, ye then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
Hymn Devotions Day 24 – Take Time To Be Holy
DAY 24 – TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
What a beautiful reminder of our need to spend time with Jesus. The only way to have a powerful, fruitful life in service for Jesus is to abide in Him. The only way to abide in Him is to spend time with Him in prayer and through Bible study.
I love the practical advice given here as well. Make friends with God’s children. We cannot go through this life on our own. God has made us to interact with others and to cooperate with them to reach the world with the gospel. We are to show mercy to others also. We are to do good works in Christ’s name so that people see it and give praise and glory to the Father.
In the busy, hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to forget to take time out for God. Thank goodness He did not forget to take time out of the running of the universe to send His Son down for us. Thank goodness Jesus took the time to teach His disciples, to show us how to live, to die on the cross for the payment of our sins. How churlish it would be not to take the time to spend with Him after He has done so much for us.
All of us have the same amount of time. No person has more or less than 24 hours in a day. How we use those hours will reflect on our priorities in life. How much time are you spending on becoming holy and pleasing to God.
Lord, help me take the time with You that is needed to become a person holy and useful. Keep me from prioritizing other things instead of spending time with You. Put my thoughts and actions under Your control and lead me by Your Spirit.
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY – William Longstaff
Take time to be holy
Speak oft with the Lord
Abide in Him always
And feed on His Word
Make friends with God’s children
Help those who are weak
Forgetting in nothing
His blessing to seek
Take time to be holy
The world rushes on
Spend time in secret
With Jesus alone
By looking to Jesus
Like Him thou shalt be
Thy friends in thy conduct
His likeness shall see
Take time to be holy
Let Him be thy Guide
And run not before Him
Whatever betide
In joy or in sorrow
Still follow the Lord
And, looking to Jesus
Still trust in His Word
Take time to be holy
Be calm in thy soul
Each thought and each motive
Beneath His control
Thus led by His Spirit
To fountains of love
Thou soon shall be fitted
For service above
Hymn Devotions Day 23 – From Greenland’s Icy Mountans
DAY 23 – FROM GREENLAND’S ICY MOUNTAINS
From out of the days of great missionary endeavors comes this hymn, which captures the spirit that moved so many to proclaim the gospel across the globe. It is our duty to bring the gospel to those who have never heard its story. It is our privilege to show all people the correct God to worship as well as the correct way to worship Him.
Paul told the Greeks in Acts 17, “You worship what you do not know, in ignorance “(my paraphrase) and then proceeded to enlighten them with the truth. In the same manner, those in places without a gospel witness worship in vain: idols made by hand, false gods, political systems, etc..
One of the charges against Christianity is that we destroyed people’s religion and culture with our missionaries. Yes, we did. We sought to destroy false worship and replace it with the knowledge of the True God. Social customs, as long as they do not violate Scripture, are to be left alone. Religious and moral deficiencies are to be exposed to the gospel light so that its transforming power can set the spiritual captives free. May we never shirk from seeking to transform every culture, including ours, and having them conform to God’s laws.
May we never be ashamed of the gospel’s power. May we never apologize for loving people so much that we are diligent in showing them how God requires them to worship.
Lord, move on me to be unashamed that You have set up a narrow way, an exclusive way to salvation – through Jesus Christ. Help me to never apologize for holding fast to the truth that through Him alone salvation is found. Help me to proclaim salvation to those who have never heard as well as those who have never responded.
FROM GREENLANDS ICY MOUNTAINS – Reginald Heber
From Greenland’s icy mountains,
From India’s coral strand,
Where Africa’s sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand,
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver their land from error’s chain.
What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle;
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile:
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness bows down to wood and stone.
Can we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Can we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation has learned Messiah’s Name.
Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till like a sea of glory
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o’er our ransomed nature the Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator, in bliss returns to reign.
Great Quotes From Ages Past #11
The nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from Hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness.
A.W. Pink
Hymn Devotions Day 22 – Rescue the Perishing
DAY 22 – RESCUE THE PERISHING
This hymn shows me what attitude I need to have toward those who do not yet know Jesus. They are spiritually dead as well as physically dying, headed toward a Christ-less eternity. My heart should break for them and my recognition of their state should spur me to action.
I must tell them of a Savior. I must introduce them to my Lord. It is my duty. I am to see the world through Jesus’ eyes and do the work He commissioned me to do.
It is amazing to me that many times it is those who seem the furthest away from God are the ones who accept His offer of salvation the quickest. Even though they are insulting Him, denying Him, His Spirit continues to work on their heart, melting their stone cold indifference.
His grace penetrates, quickens, brings about a restoration of life to a dead soul. How beautiful it is remade, reborn. What a wonderful privilege we have, to be part of His divine plan to bring a lost one into the fold of salvation. Our job is to sow the seed of the Word. The Spirit implants it and causes it to grow, eventually bringing about new life.
Go, cast your seed where the Spirit directs, and who knows, the soul you help rescue may be the one that is dearest to you.
Lord, help move us to understand the urgency of sharing Your gospel. Help us to understand the priority of throwing a lifeline, Your Word, to those who are drowning in sin. Help me to be moved with pity and compassion, so that I take my part in Your grand plan of redeeming souls to Yourself.
RESCUE THE PERISHING – Fanny J. Crosby
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen
Tell them of Jesus, the Mighty to save
Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting
Waiting the penitent child to receive
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently
He will forgive if they only believe
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore
Touched by a loving heart, weakened by kindness
Chords that are broken will vibrate once more
Rescue the perishing, duty demands it
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide
Back to the narrow way, patiently win them
Tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died
REFRAIN
Rescue the perishing
Care for the dying
Jesus is merciful
Jesus will save
Weekly Photo Challenge – Big
Sitting in the square surrounded by fountains, Mengzi’s golden bull is an impressive sight.
Hymn Devotions Day 21 – Footsteps of Jesus
DAY 21 – FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS
We never know what following Jesus will mean. Our lives are on this grand adventure that is never boring, always challenging, and seldom shown to us in advance.
Sometimes we are called to bring the gospel to those we never thought of earlier in life. Sometimes we are given a ministry of mercy, and we find ourselves helping people in ways we never dreamed of. I know that in my own life I have been able to minister in China and Malaysia, places that a boy born in Florida never thought of being able to go to.
Whether He calls us to a famous ministry speaking at the world’s largest churches or to meet the needs of the poor in third-world countries, the reward is the same. It was once said that
“If two angels were to receive at the same moment a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth’s grandest empire, the other to go and sweep the streets of its meanest village, it would be a matter of entire indifference to each which service fell to his lot, a post of ruler or the post of scavenger; for the joy of the angel lies only in obedience to God’s will”[1]
My prayer is that I would serve in the same manner, simply being grateful for an opportunity to serve the God I love.
Lord, help me to follow where You lead. Help me keep my eyes on You. Thank you for using me, for giving me a purpose, for enabling me to share in Your grace work. Amen.
FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS – Mary B.C. Slade
Sweetly, Lord, we have heard Thee calling
“Come, follow Me”
And we see where Thy footprints falling
Lead us to Thee
Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains
Seeking His sheep
Or along by Siloam’s fountains
Helping the weak
If they lead through the Temple holy
Preaching the word
Or in homes of the poor and lowly
Serving the Lord
Then at last when on high He sees us
Our journey done
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
End at His throne
REFRAIN:
Footprints of Jesus
That make the pathway glow
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Wherever they go
[1] John Newton
Hymn Devotions Day 20 – How Firm A Foundation
DAY 20 – HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
How I love the affirmation of Scripture in the very first verse of this wonderful hymn! We can count on God’s Word. It’s veracity gives us a rock solid foundation for our faith. Everything we need to have a godly life pleasing to Him is found in His Word. It is complete.
I also love the way the author depicts how God is with us, our Rock. We are able to trust Him. Every word, every promise He gives us, is true and we can lean on Him at all times. He will never leave us nor forsake us. There is no place we can go where His presence cannot be with us. How comforting that is.
That truth is also frightening. Whenever I go someplace a Christian ought not to go, whenever I place myself in situations I ought not to be in, I take Christ there with me. I expose Him to shame and grieve His Holy Spirit.
We are even shown, in verse 4, the truth that the fiery trials we encounter are merely to refine us, not destroy us. God lets us go through them not to bring harm to us, but to purify us and make us strong.
What a wise and loving God we serve. No matter what we go through, no matter who or what seeks to conquer us, we can stand firm with the shield of faith, steadfast in the knowledge that the Lord is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.
Lord, what a blessing Your Holy Word is. Thank you so much for giving it to us. Help me to study it and to hide it in my heart, so that I might not sin against You.
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION – Robert Keen? George Keith?
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed
For I am Your God and will still give you aid
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with thee, your troubles to bless
And sanctify thee to your deepest distress
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply
The flame shall not hurt thee I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine
The soul that on Jesus, hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to his foes
That soul though all hell shall endeavor to shake
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”
Hymn Devotions Day 19 – We Have Heard The Joyful Sound
DAY 19 – WE HAVE HEARD THE JOYFUL SOUND
Is there any message more wonderful than that of “Jesus saves?” As we receive the blessedness of redemption, we cannot help but to spread this gospel, this good news, to every land.
It is a message for people everywhere, in every land. It is a message that transcends cultures, language barriers, economic barriers, racial barriers. Lost, spiritually blind, dead in their trespasses and sins, dying without hope, people need this message. They need this message more than they need any other message because it brings the hope of God to their lives. It is appropriate to shout at births – Jesus saves. It is appropriate to shout at funerals – Jesus saves from eternal damnation! Look to Jesus and live.
How can we keep such a wonderful message to ourselves? When millions shall walk in gloomy darkness, how can we not share the gospel light? Jesus, and only Jesus, saves. Don’t look to anything else, only Jesus. Don’t rely on anyone or anything else, only Jesus. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved but Jesus’. Shout salvation full and free to all who will listen, because it is our song of victory over sin and death, Jesus saves!
Lord, help me to be faithful in proclaiming the message of salvation to everyone. Let me be unashamed to proclaim “Jesus saves” to every person I meet. Help me to be not just filled with compassion for the lost, but moved to action by proclaiming the way of salvation through the person of Jesus Christ.
WE HAVE HEARD THE JOYFUL SOUND – Priscilla Owens
We have heard the joyful sound
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land
Climb the steeps and cross the waves
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Waft it on the rolling tide
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing ye islands of the sea
Echo back, ye ocean caves
Earth shall keep her jubilee
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing above the battle strife
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing it softly through the gloom
When the heart for mercy craves
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Give the winds a mighty voice
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free
Highest hills and deepest caves
This our song of victory
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
ta ethne 