1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
I’ve done a devotional series on popular hymns in 2007, but this series will be slightly different. It will be “hymns on steroids”! 🙂 I want to give a little history behind the hymn, a message that was impressed upon my heart, as well as what it can mean for all of us during these uncertain times. I hope you enjoy this new series and are blessed by its content.
I will be offline from 9/1 through 9/24. I will not be posting during this time. In the meantime, please feel free to go to my Devotionals page and Bible Studies page to check out the different topics!
O Lord my God, When I, in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus: Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Carl Boberg translated into english by Stuart K. Hine
The History Behind the Hymn
‘How Great Thou Art’ is a Christian hymn which started life as a poem set to a Swedish melody.
The poem, ‘O Store Gud’ (O Great God), was written by the Swedish poet and lay minister, Carl Boberg, in 1885. According to hymnologist J. Irving Erickson, the poem is said to be inspired from a sudden violent thunderstorm which Boberg was caught in on his way home from church.
After the storm had cleared, and Boberg had returned home, he opened his window and looked out towards the sea. The evening was quiet, and Boberg could hear the sound of church bells. It was these sights and sounds that inspired the words of ‘O Store Gud’.
The lyrics were matched with a traditional Swedish folk song and first sung in a church in 1888, three years after the poem was written.
As the hymn’s popularity gained momentum, the lyrics began to spread across the world. British missionary Stuart K. Hine translated the lyrics into English. His translation was actually done from Russian lyrics, which were a translation of German lyrics, which were a translation of the original Swedish lyrics.
Hine also added two original verses of his own to the 1949 translation, which still feature in the lyrics today.
A Lesson for Me
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psa 105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Whenever I hear this hymn, tears come to my eyes. There is no greater hymn that will make a heart tender toward the Creator. His beautiful and wonderful works never see to amaze me. The internet has helped me to see the Lord’s beautiful creation all over the world. I love to put those 4K videos on YouTube that are set to music. They take me all around the world while sitting in my living room!
The Creator of it all has a lot more in store for us than what we see and hear on this earth!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Message for today
For the born-again believer, there is coming a time when we will see new things and hear new sounds that no one has ever seen or heard! We are promised this!
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
To those who do not want anything to do with God, this special place will not be available to you. Hell is a real place described as burning, darkness, torment, and the first death. Once God calls an unbeliever out of Hell at the Great White Throne Judgment, He will review every opportunity to be saved with that person. He will reveal every known and secret sin. Everything will be laid open with nothing to hide. Then He will see if that unbeliever’s name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life; of course, that name won’t be there. It is at that time that the unbeliever will experience a second death and will be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. That moment’s reprieve from burning in Hell will be replaced with an eternity in the Lake of Fire. Friend, don’t be deceived by the world’s attractions. Their pleasures last for a split second in comparison to eternity.
Today’s hymn reveals what Christ did for the unsaved. The Father sent His Son (John 3:16-17) to pay the price for your sins. Jesus bore your shame and sin because it was impossible for you to pay the penalty yourself.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
But for the born-again believer, that second time (Jesus’ Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation) will be a glorious event!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
So what is it for you? Will you be ashamed at His Coming or will you be rejoicing? If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Will I be found faithful when You return for me, dear Lord? Or will my efforts leave me with a meagerly reward? These are my thoughts each passing day; seeking to do your will, I longingly search your way through the illuminating Word.
Use me in my circle, to share your mercy and your grace. I will gladly show salvation to those who are so lost! Lord, there is no greater love that I can share with this world; To tell them of your suffering – you paid that heavy cost!
The time of the Rapture is soon coming, right at the door. I fear that my lost family will suffer Satan’s rage! Oh Father, give me extra time to share the bless’d news. Please remove the scale-filled eyes and reveal your precious Grace.
Each morning finds me watching, waiting for that Kingdom age. Dear Father, there’s no greater gift than what you did for me! All my tears shall be wiped free, and my faith will be made sight. I will spend each of those days with you for all eternity!
Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature! O thou of God and man the Son! Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown!
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, who makes the woeful heart to sing!
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight. And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heav’n can boast!
Beautiful savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and son of Man! Glory and honor. Praise, adoration, now and forevermore be Thine!
authorship Unknown
The History Behind the Hymn
I have to say, I’m a little surprised at how old this hymn is. For some reason, I thought it was rather new, perhaps late 19th century or even early 20th century, but some traditions say it’s as old as the 12th century, sung when Crusaders made their way to the Holy Land.
Others attribute the hymn to around 1620, when the followers of the reformer John Hus were driven from Bohemia in a bloody purge. They settled in Silesia, now part of Poland. This is said to have been a Bohemian folk song.
The first known appearance of the hymn was in the Munster Gesangbuch of 1677. Hoffman Fallersleben heard a group of Silesians singing this hymn, wrote down what they sang, and published it in his Schlesische Volkslieder in 1842. This is the version of the hymn we know.
The hymn appeared in English in Richard Storrs Willis’ Church Chorals and Choir Studies in 1850.
A notation about this hymn in that collection stated that it was, “sung by the German knights on the way to Jerusalem.” That may well be where the Crusader legend began. Willis was also the composer of It Came upon a Midnight Clear.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Today’s hymn is like a love letter and song to our glorious Lord and Saviour, our King! Are there even enough words that totally describe Jesus? I dare say, no! When I meditate on when the Church is raptured and we face our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13), I cannot even imagine what I will do! Will I run into His arms and thank Him? Will I fall to the ground in adoration? What do you think you will do when you see Him?
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight. And all the twinkling starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heav’n can boast!
Message for today
Who am I that the Creator of the universe (John 1:1-3) would think of me? Why would He have time for me!? Why would He even think of me? The Lord’s love for His creation is so great that He gave His life and shed His own blood so we could spend eternity with Him. This is beyond my comprehension. If I try to use my intellect and logic, I dare say the enemy has a field day and tries to convince me that it’s a bunch of hogwash. But it is by faith that I believe. So what is faith?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Everyone in their heart of hearts knows there is more than just life here on earth. There has to be something greater! When you think of every living thing and what each is comprised of, it is virtually impossible to believe in evolution. Look at the intricacies of a flower, a bird or the inner ear of man. A woodpecker’s tongue is not like any other bird – it wraps around the bird’s brain! Each part of creation has a specific purpose. It takes more faith to believe in evolution than it does that a wonderful Creator is responsible for it all!
We will surely find out one day. When the King of Kings and LORD of Lords appears! I would rather live my life worshiping this amazing Creator than to find out when I die that I was totally wrong! In fact, what have I lost if I lived a godly life? I’ve lost nothing, except eternity in Hell. What a glorious day it will be when I enter into eternity seeing my Fairest Lord Jesus!
Beautiful savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and son of Man! Glory and honor. Praise, adoration, now and forevermore be Thine!
Rev 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Did your mind ever wander during a Sunday service? Perhaps you started thinking about other things–maybe what occurred last week, or plans for the coming week or what you will be doing later that day. Something like that happened to the writer of a familiar hymn.
On a hot summer Sunday morning in 1865, Mrs. Elvina Hall (1820-1889) was found in her accustomed place in the church choir loft. But as the pious words of the Reverend Schrick’s prayer droned on and on, her thoughts drifted to other things. She pondered the meaning of the cross, and the storied scene flashed before her mind’s eye.
High upon a rocky crag, three crosses scarred the afternoon sky. On the outer gibbets, hung two notorious thieves. Below, Roman soldiers drank and gambled, waiting for death to overtake the poor wretches suspended above them. It was a public execution, but far more significant than they imagined at the time. Suddenly, the air grew dense and an eerie darkness invaded the scene.
As the soldiers gazed about them in superstitious dread, a triumphant cry pierced the gloom. It came from the figure on the centre cross. One word, in the Greek tongue: “Tetelestai!” Then He was dead. That shout of victory Christ uttered as He died is usually translated “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). But it had another meaning back then. It was an accounting term. When a bill was paid, it was commonly stamped with the word “Tetelestai,” meaning Paid in Full.
But it had another meaning back then. It was an accounting term. When a bill was paid, it was commonly stamped with the word “Tetelestai,” meaning Paid in Full.
It is finished! Paid in full! Tetelestai! Tetelestai comes from the verb teleo, which means “to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish.” How appropriate that the Lord used these words, Reader! Do you see it? We’ve heard the phrase “Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe” but does it mean anything to you?
Someone has to pay the debt for all my sin, and that is ME! Each one of us cannot enter Heaven’s gate unless that debt, that penalty, is paid. If there were a dollar value set to each one of my sins in my lifetime, I dare say there would not be enough money in the world to take care of that debt! Since tetelestai’s meaning in Jesus’ day was an accounting term, we can picture the Father in Heaven stamping “PAID” on our debt because Jesus paid for it all.
For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb
Message for today
Friend, thank the Lord Jesus for giving us the opportunity to have our sins washed clean because of His shed blood on Calvary!! There is no other way that one can do this! (John 14:6) He is the only way. Buddha can’t help you! Allah can’t help you! Only Jesus.
What would you say if you bought a house when times were great and your income paid the mortgage with no problem. But then you fall on difficult times and you are now months behind with no hope to catch up. If the bank didn’t foreclose on you, that debt would increase ever more with interest added to boot! It is no different with our sins, Reader. The only way the debt for our sins could ever be paid was for Jesus to take that debt upon Himself. We cannot pay that debt ourselves! There is nothing we can do either! All we can do is receive the consequences for lack of payment and that is eternal life in Hell!
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Where are you at this point in your life, Reader? Are you so deep in debt for the sins you’ve committed that you feel there is no turning back? We all come to that place in our lives. Some receive salvation early in life, while others are more stubborn. The longer you wait, the harder your heart becomes toward that sin. Sin will no longer stir regret in your heart and it will become hard as stone. There will come a point where your heart will be so hardened you will be blind to sin altogether.
Eph 4:18-19 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Don’t get to that point, Reader. Surrender yourself to God’s love and forgiveness. There is peace to be had and balm for your wounds! Jesus paid it ALL so you could have that peace and balm! However, judgment awaits the person who does not want his debt to be paid. The Bible shows us the way of salvation. Don’t be ignorant but turn from your wicked ways.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
A great wrath awaits the person who does not accept salvation. Zech 7:12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Is your heart set in stone? If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee; E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me, Still all my song shall be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer, The sun gone down, Darkness comes over me, My rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight, An open heaven; All that Thou sendest me, In mercy given; Angels to beckon me Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts Bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise, So by my woes to be Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee
Sarah Flower Adams was a British actress who received praise for her performance in an 1837 production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After health problems disrupted her plans to continue with theater, she found comfort in writing poems and hymns.
Her most notable hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” came about in 1841 when Adam’s pastor was looking for a hymn for the following week’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, which is referred to by many as “Jacob’s ladder,” or “Jacob’s dream.” Adams offered to write the hymn and completed it within a week to go along with the pastor’s sermon. The hymn was originally set to music written by her sister, Eliza Flower, but another hymn-tune called “BETHANY,” written by Lowell Mason in 1856, has become most widely recognized and is most familiar to listeners today.
Psa 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
How does one draw near to God? How can you have that relationship with the Lord that close and personal? The Bible states that God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). The Scriptures also state that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, according to John 14:6. Jesus in the One that provides the way for us to have a close relationship, not only to Him but to the Father! He is the only Mediator we need! (1 Timothy 2:5)
At the moment of salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit to help us through our daily lives! We don’t need anyone else to intercede for us to the Father. The Holy Spirit intercedes for the believer so our prayers are in accordance with the will of God. Here’s a good example: You are praying for a new car and are looking at a Cadillac. The Holy Spirit knows that it won’t fit in your budget so He intercedes for you and God puts a cheaper vehicle in your path. I know this is basic but it proves my point.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
There let me see the sight, An open heaven; All that Thou sendest me, In mercy given; Angels to beckon me Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
Message for today
Today’s Gospel message is so diluted. They preach a loving God, which He is, but they don’t preach that He also requires repentance. One can sit in a garage all day but will never be able to claim that he is a car. It’s no different than calling yourself a Christian just because you go to church. There must be a change of heart, mind and direction!
When a person is truly born-again, Jesus becomes the center of his/her focus. Decisions are made with the Lord in mind; life’s trials are viewed through the Word of God. The things that used to appeal to the believer are no longer desired. The heart is convicted when sin is committed. If this has not happened to you, then you must think about it.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
One cannot be practicing sin and worshipping God at the same time. This is what James calls double-minded. He also points out that we must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Seeking forgiveness for sins is not asking Jesus to die on the cross again so that those sins can be forgiven. They are already forgiven. What is necessary is that you acknowledge that sin, feel remorse for it and turn from it. That is repentance, my friend.
Born-again believers should see sin with different eyes and with a different heart. It should pain us, tear us apart inside, when we sin! As we grow older in the Lord and closer to Him, we will hurt more each time we sin. We see sin with the same eyes as God does. This is drawing nigh to Him. This is the whole point of today’s hymn.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
We know we are in the end times because there is a growing number of people turning to witchcraft.
Netty has been practising magic for 16 years. She cast a spell to get her current job in banking. She credits other spells with securing subsequent salary raises. She once used a spell to make her boss like her more. Another bagged her the love of her life, seven years ago. She still has the honey jar she used for it – into which she put herbs, a petition and a Corona bottle cap he’d discarded. (She assures me he knows about it.) Raised a Catholic, Netty has not completely reneged on the faith, nor does she see any conflict in casting spells and praying to saints. You might call her a Christian witch. You might be surprised to know there are thousands of them.
Organised religion is in decline. In Western countries, growing numbers are turning their backs on the Church. Thousands of churches shutter each year, faced with dwindling congregations and funds. The 2021 census on religion in England and Wales alarmed many: for the first time since its advent in 1801, less than half the population described themselves as Christian, down from 72 per cent two decades ago. Those ticking “no religion”, the second-most common response, soared to 37.2 per cent. The UK is now, statistically speaking, one of the least religious countries in the world.
Lev 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
2 Ki 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
What happens to those who practice such things?
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
What does God say about people who practice this?
Exo 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Granted, today everyone is able to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and be freed from such sins. But in the Old Testament, judgment was served quickly. If you are involved in these things, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and He will free you from the bondage of this sin! If you are a Christian and have been talked into using the Holy Spirit board, don’t! I had not heard about this but it’s been out since 2022! This is no game for believers. Use discernment, Christian! You can better believe that anything that has occult in its history cannot be of any good to believers. The devil will make it appear as good for Christians, but he is the father of lies (John 8:44)! He is a deceiver and will make things to appear as though they are from God. Remember, Satan is known as an angel of light but his goal is to draw everyone into darkness! (2 Corinthians 11:14)
The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
This was not at the top of my list for songs that speak to my heart. However, upon doing the research for this post, it has since risen to the top! No one wants to admit they are a sinner. This hurts our pride and, therefore, is not a title we willingly claim. It is for this very reason that Christ went through the agony of the cross. Dr. C. Truman Davis wrote an article entitled “A Physician’s View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.” If you haven’t read it before, please take a moment to read it as it will most definitely change the way you think about what Christ went through for you and I! It is heart-wrenching to say the least! I’m thankful Dr. Davis took it upon himself to research it and to share it with us! Our society has no idea what the Lord Jesus went through in order to be the Perfect Sacrifice for our sins!
When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts
The History Behind the Hymn
It was a daring move when, in 1707, Isaac Watts published his first book of hymns. At that time it was the practice of almost every congregation of the Church of England to sing only Old Testament psalms in their public worship. However, Watts had grown to dislike this because it restricted the Christian from being able to explicitly celebrate in song all those aspects of the gospel that are fulfilled and illuminated in the New Testament.
In the preface to Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Watts addresses the worship situation of his time and offers a defense for writing and publishing new music.
Many Ministers and many private Christians have long groaned under this Inconvenience, and have wished rather than attempted a Reformation: At their importunate and repeated Requests I have for some Years past devoted many Hours of leisure to this Service. Far be it from my Thoughts to lay aside the Psalms of David in public Worship; few can pretend so great a Value for them as my self . . . But it must be acknowledged still, that there are a thousand Lines in it which were not made for a Saint in our Day, to assume as his own; There are also many deficiencies of Light and Glory which our Lord Jesus and his Apostles have supplied in the Writings of the New Testament; and with this Advantage I have composed these spiritual Songs which are now presented to the World.
Within Watts’ book, under the section “Prepared for the Holy Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper” is the first public printing of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”
Concerning the hymn’s creation, there is no special story that singles it from among the many others he wrote. (He is credited with something like 750 hymns.) But what makes the hymn unique is the particular beauty of its language and imagery, and the power with which it highlights the most significant event in human and personal history — the cross of Jesus Christ our God.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
I was raised Catholic and because I was taught that salvation was by works plus Christ’s work on the cross, I would battle my flesh whenever I wanted to boast at the good things I had done. After salvation, however, I learned through the Scriptures that it was by God’s grace that I was saved through faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross!
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
No longer could I boast about what I had done! Oh but I sure could boast on what Christ did so I could be saved!
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Message for today
The above verse brings tears to my eyes! After reading the doctor’s medical account of the crucifixion of our Saviour, I can totally understand why Issac Watts penned “Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,”! Our Saviour had to suffer such excruciating pain in order to pay our penalty! 😥 Oh what great a love would drive Him to do so! I love my husband and I would surely die for him. But the Lord Jesus died for me while I was yet a sinner!!! (Romans 5:8)
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
1Pe 2:24-25 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
My Saviour hung on the cross … a wooden cross … one that took His earthly body. But praise the Lord, He has risen and is coming again!
Php 2:8-11 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat and the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me: and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess, the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
3 I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place: I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss; my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
Elizabeth C. Clephane
The History Behind the Hymn
I never heard of Elizabeth Clephane until I did the research on this hymn. Of course, I knew the hymn but knew nothing about its author. What a blessing to read of her life! She is in the same company as a few of my friends who are undergoing the same frail health.
Elizabeth Cecilia Douglas Clephane was born in Scotland in 1830 and died in 1869. The daughter of a county sheriff, she lived most of her brief life near Edinburgh.
Though in frail health most of her life, Elizabeth found the strength to help the poor and sick in her town. She and her sister gave all that they could spare to charity including, it is said, selling their horse and carriage for the benefit of the needy. The townspeople of Melrose referred to Elizabeth as “the Sunbeam.”
“Beneath the cross of Jesus,” focusing on the shelter of the cross, was first published three years after the author’s death in 1872 under the title “Breathings on the Border,” perhaps a double entendre referring to a geographical location near Melrose, the Scottish Borders, and a reference to the border between life and death.
Originally five stanzas, another omitted stanza, perhaps autobiographical, provides further insight into the comfort that the writer found in the shadow of the cross and the inspiration that the cross gave her as she anticipated her own death:
There lies beneath its shadow, but on the further side, the darkness of an open grave that gapes both deep and wide; and there between us stands the cross, two arms outstretched to save, like watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
When the realization hits as to why Christ came to earth and what He did for me, my heart was broken. Someone else took my punishment!
Why would the Lord do this for me? With my finite mind, there is no way I can comprehend the mind of God. But what I can comprehend is His Word. The Scriptures tell us of His love (John 3:16), and that His mercy is new every single morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)! There is balm to be had for the deepest wounds!
Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me: and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess, the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
Message for today
The moment I meditate on God’s redeeming love, and my unworthiness of His saving grace, my heart is stricken with the same tears as Elizabeth’s. How many tears have been shed for the same reasons? Each one of those tears is recorded in Heaven. (Psalm 56:8) Every heartache, every tear of joy, every tear shed when I lost someone dear, is known by my Heavenly Father!
Are you hurting today, Reader? Have you spent half the night crying? Are you in the same ill health as Elizabeth? If you are born again, your Father knows all about it. He is there to apply that balm to your distraught heart. Will He remove your sickness or problem? I don’t know. But what I do know is that He will provide you with the strength to live through each and every day.
But if you are not born again, it’s time you find forgiveness and peace at the foot of the cross of Jesus. He stands waiting to hear from you. It is there you will find peace for your soul! (Matthew 11:28-30)
Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord hears your prayer when you turn to Him with a repentant heart and ask His forgiveness. Invite Him into your life – make a decision to follow Him every day. He hears the prayers of His children. If you do not get saved, the verse above says that He is far from you. Do not be far, Reader. Turn to Him before it’s eternally too late.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
We know we are in the end times because the news media, the government, and the buzz on social media are all talking about the same thing: UAP’s (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) or UFO’s as they were previously called. They are even holding congressional meetings over the topic.
An unprecedented report by a special task force of the Navy, released a year ago, documented 144 UFO sightings that occurred only between 2004 and 2021. The Pentagon doesn’t exactly know what they are and there’s no evidence to suggest they were sent by aliens planning a covert invasion. But when an official U.S. intelligence report categorizes them as “Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” (UAP), it’s a game changer.
In my personal opinion, we are not dealing with creatures from another planet or galaxy.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
According to Strong’s Concordance, the word “high” here does not mean people of stature.
epouranios ep-oo-ran’-ee-os From G1909 and G3772; above the sky: – celestial, (in) heaven (-ly), high.
Strong’s concordance
Notice Paul says this is spiritual wickedness. I firmly believe that these UAP’s are the fallen angels who were cast out of Heaven when Lucifer rebelled and took a third of the angels with him. (Isaiah 14:12, Revelation 12:3-4) I’m also of the opinion that the devil’s plan is falling into place and he is setting everything up to be able to give the right excuse to explain away the disappearance of the church at the Rapture.
People will believe what they are told when it’s plastered all over the news and social media. There are still a few today who do the research and question, but it won’t be so after the rapture! They will believe the lies because the Bible says they will.
2 Thess 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Don’t be one of those who will be damned because you did not believe the Bible. All our answers are in there, including what’s going on in these end times. Not once has the Bible been wrong! Not once!
The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
