DAY 12 – I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

       The history of this hymn and her sister hymn Tell Me the Old, Old Story is fascinating. Taken from a long poem, some fifty stanzas written by Katherine Hankey, both songs draw a person to realize just how precious sharing the gospel truly is.

The first reason to tell the gospel story is, of course, because some have never heard. How sad that some 2,000 years after being given the command to go into all the world we have not been completely obedient.

Another reason is also mentioned in the hymn. Those who know the gospel best still long to hear it again and again. It never gets old. It still amazes everyone when they reflect on the depth of love that God has for us. We still marvel at Jesus’ sacrificial death. We still cry on Good Friday and jump and shout triumphantly on Easter Sunday.

When we arrive in heaven, our song – the song of redemption, will be unique in the cosmos; and we will never get tires of it. 

Lord, I love to tell the story of Your salvation. From the choosing of Mary and Joseph as Your earthly parents to the birth in Bethlehem to the cross on Calvary, the story is marvelous and amazing. How deep Your love is. How merciful Your actions. Help me to tell the old, old story, both to those who have never heard and to those who long to hear it again.

 

I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY by Katherine Hankey

I love to tell the story of unseen things above

Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love

I love to tell the story because I know ’tis true

It satisfies my longings like nothing else can do

 

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems

Than all our golden fancies of all our golden dreams

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me

And that is just the reason, I tell it now to thee

 

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat

What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet

I love to tell the story, for some have never heard

The message of salvation, from God’s own holy word

 

I love to tell the story for those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest

And when, in scenes of glory, I sing a new, new song

‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long

 

REFAIN:

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love