devotional

Hymn Devotions Day 17 – Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated

/ taethne

DAY 17  – TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

                This hymn is a great daily prayer. What a way to start off each morning – asking God to help us consecrate our life to Him. Let us praise Him each day for He is worthy.

               It is a great privilege, a noble request for us, to ask Him to use all of our being in His service. From my hands and feet, my speech, my financial resources, my mind, love and will; all that I am and have. Nothing less will do for my King of Glory than my all.

I need the Holy Spirit’s power to constantly, consistently yield myself to God. I need His power to submit my unruly will to His. I need His might to break my stubborn, selfish heart. With all that is within me, I desire to praise His holy name. I long for Him to fully transform me into His image.

One of the phrases I appreciate from this song is found in verse one. The prayer is for God to take both our moments and our days and have them  become a seamless flow of praise. Another phrase really jumps out too, probably because I am a minister – Take my lips and let them be, filled with messages from Thee. Oh, yes, let us all bring to a lost and dying world a message from God. To use our mouth in this method is a great way of praising and honoring our God.  Right now seems a good moment to start.

 

            Lord, take all that I am and let me praise You. Take every part of my life because You alone are worthy to be praised. You gave me life and breath – let me use that breath and life to glorify Your name. Accept my offer of praise for Your greatness, majesty and power.

 

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE – Francis Ridley Havergal

 

Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord to Thee

Take my moments and my days

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

 

Take my hands and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love

Take my feet and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee

Swift and beautiful for Thee

 

Take my voice and let me sing

Always, only for my King

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee

Filled with messages from Thee

 

Take my silver and my gold

Not a mite would I withhold

Take my intellect and use

Every power as Thou shalt choose

Every power as Thou shalt choose

 

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store

Take myself and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee

Ever, only, all for Thee

 

Take my will and make it Thine

It shall be no longer mine

Take my heart, it is Thy own

It shall be Thy royal throne

It shall be Thy royal throne

Hymn Devotions Day 11 – Come Thou Fount

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DAY 11 – COME THOU FOUNT

Prone to wander – yes, that is me. Prone to leave the God I love. Why? That is the question, isn’t it. Why do we leave the place where we are safest? Why do we leave the One who has given us everything we need to live a godly life?

O, the depths the human soul has sunk to! Even when brought into a transforming relationship with the God of the Universe we still seek to go our own way. Yes, I will raise my Ebenezer, knowing full well it is only by His help, His grace and power that I have come as far as I have. Only by His help, grace and power will I arrive at the destination He has planned for me. I need to pray for Him to daily bind me to Him. Not to keep me from experiencing a wonderful life, but to keep me from danger and harm. To keep me close to Him, the Savior of Life and every good blessing.

If I cannot keep myself close to Him, and I have proven over and over that I cannot, I can ask Him to keep close to me.

Bend my heart to Thee Lord, I pray. Fetter my wandering feet so they do not leave Your path. You have said you will never leave me nor forsake me and I appreciate that very much. Forgive my sins, I pray, and draw me close to your side.

 

COME THOU FOUNT by Robert Robinson

Come, thou fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy, never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise mine Ebenezer

Hither by Thy help I’m come

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

Hymn Devotions Day 6 – I Am Resolved

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DAY 6 – I AM RESOLVED

 

This upbeat, quick-tempo hymn inspires and challenges me to live for Christ daily. All too often I find myself being charmed by the delights of this world. Like Abram’s nephew Lot, looking at the lush valley towards Sodom, I find myself dazzled by the shiny façade of material things.

Oh, how I long to discipline myself to pursue those things which are higher and nobler, godly things that deserve my single-minded devotion. The author of the song, Palmer Hartsough, makes a great observation that “friends may oppose me, foes may beset me.” Not only will Satan try to distract me from my resolve to follow Jesus but even Christian friends, who have succumbed to worldly temptations, will also oppose me. Radical, fanatic and other appellations will be hurled at the one who pursues hard after God.

Still, even though friends may not understand my desire, I want them to join with me. This hymn urges me to invite them on the journey into complete discipleship. By leaning on and learning from God’s Word, by seeking guidance from His Spirit in prayer, we can journey together in spiritual growth.

How resolved are you to let go of the things of this world and follow after Jesus?

 

Lord, give me the discipline to instill Christ-like habits in my life. Help me to look beyond the things of this world and pursue hard after those things which will make me be an asset to Your kingdom. Fill my eyes with glimpses of You.

 

I AM RESOLVED by Palmer Hartsough

 

I am resolved no longer to linger

Charmed by the world’s delights

Things that are higher, things that are nobler

These have allured my sight

 

I am resolved to go to the Savior

Leaving my sin and strife

He is the True One, He is the Just One

He hath the words of life

 

I am resolved to follow the Savior

Faithful and true each day

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth

He is the living way

 

I am resolved to enter the Kingdom

Leaving the paths of sin

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me

Still will I enter in

 

I am resolved and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit

We’ll walk the heavenly way

 

REFRAIN

 

I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free

Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to thee

Hymn Devotions Day 5 – Dare To Be A Daniel

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DAY 5  – DARE TO BE A DANIEL 

Written by Phillip Bliss for his Sunday School class, this hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was a boy. Both inspiring and challenging, Bliss throws down a gauntlet in urging believers to stand firm for the truth and to be active in conquering evil. In a day when a false definition of tolerance is making its way though society, the words of this song encourage us to act like one of the heroes of the faith.

Like Daniel, we are encouraged to live faithful lives by standing firm in obedience to God’s commands, even when the rest of society is compromising. We are urged to be brave and not to shirk from our duty. Though others may fall away, though we alone may seem to be remaining faithful, we must stand firm for our beliefs as Daniel did.

I often wonder, as I read the book of Daniel, how many other captive Jews just blended into Babylonian society. Apparently he was the only one who took praying to God seriously. The rest, well, it wasn’t politically correct to be seen worshipping God. How many of us fall into the trap of being politically correct instead of obedient?

We can accomplish great things for God when we walk in the might of His power and share the gospel message. May we go before the Lord today and pray that we will have the courage to stand for our convictions as Daniel did.

Lord, grant me conviction of heart like Daniel. Help me to stay the course, to be true and faithful. May it start today, let me not shirk from sharing the gospel with one who needs to hear Your message.

 

DARE TO BE A DANIEL by Phillip Bliss

 

Standing by a purpose true

Heeding God’s command

Honor them the faithful few

All hail to Daniel’s band

 

Mighty men are lost

Daring not to stand

Who for God had been a host

By joining Daniel’s band

 

Many giants great and tall

Stalking through the land

Heedlong to the earth would fall

If met by Daniel’s band

 

Held the Gospel banner high

On to victory grand

Satan and his hosts defy

And shout for Daniel’s band

 

REFRAIN

 

Dare to be a Daniel

Dare to stand alone

Dare to have a purpose firm

Dare to make it known.

Hymn Devotions Day 4 – Lord. Like A Publican I Stand

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DAY 4 – LORD, LIKE A PUBLICAN I STAND

 

This hymn is not as widely known as the majority of others in this devotional, but it is very powerful and moving. The words of this hymn are taken straight out of the gospel of Luke, chapter 18. The author, Thomas Raffles, shows us what is necessary to obtain God’s pardoning grace and mercy – confession and repentance.

Throwing himself at the foot of God’s throne, confessing the agony of his sinful soul, the penitent tax-collector pleads for mercy based on Jesus’ atonement. He stands in contrast to the Pharisee who assumed that because he was religious, he was in good standing with God. The tax-collector knew that righteous works were not enough to find pardon before a God who demands perfection. All he can hope for is to confess all of his sins, all of his unrighteousness and throw himself on the mercy of the Heavenly Court. As he does, he finds Jesus’ mercy and saving power.

What a wonderful picture this song gives us of the hope that is found in Jesus. As you go before God’s throne today, like the publican call upon His mercy and confess your sins. You, too, will find the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood washing away your sins and making you justified in the sight of God.

 

Lord, here I stand, naked before you. You know me, my ways, my thoughts, my deceitful heart. I can offer no excuse. I can offer no works that are pure to atone for my sins. I repent and cast myself on your mercy. Be merciful to me Lord, a sinner.

 

LORD, LIKE A PUBLICAN I STAND by Thomas Raffles

 

Lord, like the publican I stand

And lift my heart to Thee

Thy pardoning grace, O God, command

Be merciful to me

 

I smite upon my anxious breast

O’er whelmed with agony

O save my soul by sin oppressed

Be merciful to me

 

My guilt, my shame, I all confess

I have no hope nor plea

But Jesus’ blood and righteousness

Be merciful to me

 

Here at the cross I still would wait

Nor from its shelter flee

But Thou, O God, in mercy great

Art merciful to me

 

Hymn Devotions Day 3 – O Worship The King

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DAY 3 O WORSHIP THE KING 

This majestic song lifts you up in praise to the One seated on the Everlasting throne. The use of adjectives such as shield, defender, friend, maker and redeemer tell us of God’s character.

Here is no aloof God, watching from way off in space. Here is a God intimately involved with His creation. This is, make no mistake, a hymn about the Creator and His creation. It was based on Psalm 104. In a day where evolution is held to be absolute truth, this hymn helps us to unashamedly sing out our belief in a personal Creator God.

The third stanza unapologetically states that God formed the world. The writer has in mind both the Genesis account of Moses and the book of Job, where God tells Job that He put boundaries on the waters.

God’s love and providence for His creation is evident throughout the song. It is because He cares and desires so deeply for us to have a relationship with Him, that we are able to sing of His glory and might.

God is our shield, an ever-present help in times of trouble. He defends us against the slanderous attacks of our adversary. He is our friend as well as our Lord, a mind-blowing concept is ever there was one. Most of all, He is our creator and our redeemer. He made us for Himself and redeemed us for Himself. All praise to the King of Kings, who is worthy of all glory and honor.

As you pray today, thank God for the ways He manifests Himself to you – a shield, defender, redeemer. He is not only your maker, but He will be your friend if you would yield your life to Him.

 

Thank you Lord, for creating us and the beautiful world we live in. We worship You, King of the Universe, and give you all glory and honor and praise.

 

O WORSHIP THE KING by Robert Grant

O worship the King, all glorious above

O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love

Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days

Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space

Whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form

      And dark is His path on the wings of the storm

      The earth with its store of wonders untold

      Almighty Thou power hath founded of old

      Hath established it fast by a changeless decree

      And round it has cast like a mantle, the sea

      Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite

      It breathes in the air, it shines in the light

      It streams from the hills, it descends to the plains

      And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain

      Frail children of dust and feeble as frail

      In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail

      Thy mercies, how tender, how firm to the end

      Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend

Hymn Devotions Day 1 – Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

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Day 1

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS

When I was a child, I did not understand this hymn. Well, to be honest, I understood all but one line of it. In the fourth stanza, at the end, the poem goes, “where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.”

In my young mind I took this phrase to mean “never be wanting to go wherever danger might be.” I knew, though, that while this made sense to my child’s mind, it didn’t make sense in a song about fighting for God, and being willing to put all on the line for the Lord.

Finally, it was explained to me. To be found wanting is to be found missing from where one needs to be. You are wanted, needed somewhere. You need to be somewhere that duty is calling, but you have gone AWOL. You have gone astray. The writer of this song is encouraging us to always be where we are needed, and to never let cowardice keep us from standing up for the Lord.

What a powerful song. Based on Ephesians 6:14 and written as a tribute to the Reverend Dudley Tyng (one of America’s great preachers) this song has inspired many to look to Jesus and not at the world. It is Jesus alone we look to, Jesus alone we are called to serve. Let us, therefore, be found true and faithful to the One who gave His life for us. Let us stand up for Jesus at home, school and play. Let us never be found wanting where we are needed.

Lord, help me be unashamed of You. Help me to witness clearly, speak boldly and oppose evil mightily. Give to me, the strength and protection I need.  

Stand Up, Stand for Jesus by George Duffield, Jr.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   Ye soldiers of the cross

Lift high His royal banner                   It must not suffer loss

From victory, unto victory                 His army shall He lead

Till every foe is vanquished     And Christ is Lord indeed

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   The solemn watchword hear

If while ye sleep He suffers     Away with shame and fear

Wherever ye meet with evil     Within you or without

Charge for the God of battles            And put the foe to rout

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   The trumpet call obey

Forth to the mighty conflict    In this His glorious day

Ye that are brave now serve Him        Against unnumbered foes

Let courage rise with danger   And strength to strength oppose

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   Stand in His strength alone

The arm of flesh will fail you  Ye dare not trust your own

Put on the Gospel armor                   Each piece put on with prayer

Where duty calls or danger                 Be never wanting there

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   Each soldier to his post

Close up the broken column  And shout through all the host

Make good the loss so heavy  In those that shall remain

And praise to all around you  That death itself is gain

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   The strife will not be long

This day the noise of battle     The next the victor’s song

To him who overcometh                   A crown of life shall be

They with the King of Glory  Shall reign eternally