Blessed Assurance

The name Frances Jane “Fanny” Crosby is well known around the world. She wrote over 8,000 hymn texts, many that have lasted through the ages. Hymns such as “To God Be the Glory,” “Near the Cross,” “Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior,” “He Hideth My Soul,” and “I Am Thine, O Lord.”

Her blindness at a young age, her education and teaching at the New York Institute for the Blind, a published author of many books, a poetic eulogy for President William Henry Harrison, all are facts written about her life.

Franny grew up a happy and active child. She was raised with strong Christian values and from an early age she was read Scriptures by her mother and grandmother, and she memorized many verses. It was at a young age she began to write poetry.

On March 5, 1858, Fanny married Alexander van Alstine, a former student at the Institute. He was a talented musician whose skills on the organ were renowned in the New York area. The dynamic duo collaborated on several gospel hymns that resonated with audiences across the country.

Fanny told Samuel Trevena Jackson, who wrote, “Lincoln’s Use of the Bible," her little "love story," which he recorded in his book, "Fanny Crosby's Story of Ninety-Four Years." She said...

"Some people seem to forget that blind girls have just as great a faculty for loving and do love just as much and just as truly as those who have their sight. When I was about 20, a gifted young man by the name of Alexander Van Alstyne came to our institute. He was also blind and a musician. We soon became very much concerned for each other. . . I placed my right hand on his left and called him 'Van.' From that hour, two lives looked on a new universe, for love met love, and all the world was changed. On March 5 in the year 1858, we were united in marriage.

"I became a mother and knew a mother's love, but the angels came down and took our infant up to God."

Her love for writing followed her throughout her life and she never seemed to be bothered by her lack of sight. She is quoted as saying, “It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered to me tomorrow, I would not accept it. I might not have ever sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me." She also once said, “When I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” She had an ability to craft words, phrases and thoughts so vividly that would allow us to see the Savior so clearly in her songs. 

Robert J. Morgan tells the following stories of two friends of Fanny’s in his book, “Then Sings My Soul.”

“Frances Ridley Havergal and Frances (Fanny) Crosby were the two most famous women hymnists of their age, although they never met they became dear pen pals. Havergal lived in England and Crosby lived in America. Havergal once wrote a poem about her American counterpart:

'Sweet, blind singer over the sea, Tuneful and jubilant! How can it be,

That the songs of gladness, which float so far; As if they fell from the evening star,

Are the notes of one who may never see, “Visible music” of flower and tree,

Oh, her heart can see, her heart can see! And its sight is strong and swift and free.'

“Another of Fanny’s dearest friends was Phoebe Knapp. While Fanny lived in the Manhattan slums and worked in rescue missions, Phoebe lived in the Knapp Mansion, a palatial residence in Brooklyn, where she entertained lavishly. She was an extravagant dresser with a wardrobe full of elaborate gowns and diamond tiaras. Her music room contained one of the finest collections of instruments in the country, and Fanny was a frequent houseguest.

"One day in 1873, while Fanny was staying at the Knapp Mansion, Phoebe said she had a tune she wanted to play. Going to the music room, she sat at the piano and played a new composition of her own while the blind hymnist listened. Fanny immediately clapped her hands and exclaimed, 'Why that says, Blessed Assurance!' She quickly composed the words, and a great hymn was born.

“Many years later, D. L. Moody was preaching in NY at the 23rd Street Dutch Reformed Church. The Moody/Sankey meetings had popularized Fanny Crosby’s hymns around the world and had made the blind poetess a household name. But whenever she attended a Moody/Sankey meeting, she refused to be recognized, disavowing acclaim.

“This day the church was so crowded she could find nowhere to sit. Moody’s son, Will, seeing her, offered to find her a seat. To her bewilderment, he led her onto the platform just as the crowd was singing, 'Blessed Assurance.' Moody, Sr., jumped to his feet, raised his hand, and interrupted the singing. 'Praise the Lord!' he shouted, 'Here comes the authoress!'

“Fanny took her seat amid thunderous ovation, humbly thanking God for making her a blessing to so many.”

Verse One

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”

Colossians 2:2

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.”

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: The phrase “unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding means “all the rich blessings that come from understanding, and being fully convinced of, the precise knowledge of the mystery of God in Christ. “Riches” is defined as “fulness or abundance” but the word is here used as a noun, implying the things one receives.

Studylight.org, Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: When our knowledge grows to an understanding of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ . . . when we come to have a more clear, distinct, methodical knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, then the soul prospers . . . embracing with the highest satisfaction, as faithful sayings and worthy of all acceptance . . . Great knowledge and strong faith make a soul rich. This is being rich towards God, and rich in faith, and having the true riches . . . The soul prospers when it is filled with joy and peace and has a satisfaction within which all the troubles cannot disturb and is able to joy in the Lord when all other comforts fail.

Isaiah 32:17

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: There shall be no internal agitation . . . This is a beautiful description of the happy effect of the prevalence of piety; and it is as true now as it was in the time of Isaiah.

Biblestudytools.com: This gives “assurance forever,” of interest in divine things, in the love of God, and relation to him as a Father, in Christ as a Savior and Redeemer, and in the glorious inheritance which this gives a title to; or a holy confidence and boldness at the throne of grace now, having this righteousness to make mention of as a justifying one, and also hereafter, before the throne of judgment, this being what will answer for Him in a time to come.

Verse Two

“Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels, descending, bring from above,

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.”

James 4:7

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Biblestudytools.com, Dawn Wilson: Submission to God is a theme throughout the Bible . . . When God’s children are told to submit, the idea is to give themselves over completely and choose to place themselves under God’s authority and control with the desire to obey His will . . . The result of humble submission is the ability to resist the devil and his schemes, and to live more Christlike in the assembly of believers . . . You will acknowledge that God is God . . . You will remember what God has done in saving, providing, protecting you . . . You will have a heart of gratitude, and you will anticipate what God plans to do in your life through His love and grace.

Verse Three

“Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

Luke 12:37

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to eat, and will come forth and serve them.”

Bibletools.org: From this, we can see that expectant watchfulness is the normal posture of a Christian. Jesus wants us to be ready for His return at any time, and as servants, we are in no position to determine when to expect Him. He will come when He will come, and we must be prepared to welcome Him whenever that happens to be.

 Colossians 3:2

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Set your affection, “or mind” . . . your thoughts should be occupied about the things where Christ now dwells, where our final home is to be, where our great interests are. Since we are raised from the death of sin, and are made to live anew, the great object of our contemplation should be the heavenly world.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: That the hearts of believers here might be where their treasure is, the apostle here repeats his exhortation, using another word, importing they should intensely mind things above . . . the inheritance reserved in heaven for us.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind the, and think on them, to favor and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them, for where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints’ best things are above, their minds and affections should be there likewise.

 Refrain

“This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.”

Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: There is something very edifying and encouraging in glorifying God and singing praises to Him, even when faced with problems and pain, for it not only lifts our heart and gives hope to the soul, but causes us to trust Him in our helplessness and gives great glory to our Father.”

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Staugustine.com

Backstorysongs.com, yardley28

Then Sings My Soul, Robert J. Morgan

Faithpot.com

By His Grace . . .

It Is No Secret

 

Carl Stuart Hamblen was born into the family of a traveling Methodist preacher in 1908, in Kelleyville, Texas. His father, J. H. Hamblen founded the Evangelical Methodist Church denomination.

During his youth, Hamblen traveled throughout Texas with his father. He attended school between trips, preparing for a teaching career, and he completed college with a degree in education. He practiced singing while riding the range, often writing his own songs.

Hamblen’s career as a Country Western Gospel singer, composer, radio-movie personality, and master storyteller all began in 1926, on radio station on WBAP, Ft Worth, TX, and sister station WFAA, Dallas, TX, where he became radio broadcasting’s first singing cowboy. The next major turning point in his career happened in 1929 when he won a talent show in Abilene, Texas, and with the $100 cash prize in hand, he headed for Camden, New Jersey, to the Victor Talking Machine Company to seek his fortune.

Eventually he settled in California in 1931, where he began his radio career which ran for 20 years. He began hosting the popular Family Album in California, while also appearing in motion pictures and rodeos. For a while, he ventured into horse-racing as an owner. 

In 1934, he became the first artist signed by the American subsidiary of Decca Records. Hamblen did not cope well with the pressures of his high-profile career and sought relief in alcohol. Many times his drinking landed him in jail for public brawling and other destructive behavior. The Texas State Historical Association reports that Hamblen identified himself as the "original juvenile delinquent."

He met Rev. Billy Graham when Grahan appeared on Hamblen’s radio show. He was invited to attend a crusade and attended reluctantly.

Rev. Graham is reported to have said, “There is one man in this audience who is a big fake.” While many may have felt he was talking about them, Hamblen was sure he was talking about him.

Several days later he arrived at the Graham’s door. He was drunk and demanded the pastor pray for him. Rev. Graham said, “This is between you and God, and I’m not going to get in the middle of it.” The two men spoke, the gospel was shared, and about three hours later Stuart Hamblen gave his life to Christ.

Hamblen completely changed his life and ways, and he began to write Christian songs (with little success). He eventually lost his radio show when he refused to promote alcohol. He subsequently gave up gambling and horse racing and entered Christian broadcasting with his radio show, The Cowboy Church of the Air, which ran until 1952.

Sometime later, a friend of Hamblen asked him about the rumor going around Hollywood that Hamblen had changed his ways. Hamblen replied that it was no secret what God had done for him and what God could do for his friend, too. The friend then replied that Hamblen should turn those lines into a song. That friend's name was John Wayne.

Hamblen tells the story this way: "I wrote the song one night, shortly after midnight. My wife and I had been visiting one of Hollywood's most famous movie stars. We had gone over to his home just to fill him in on some of the things that had happened in his recent absence.

"Somehow the discussion got around to how people can solve problems within themselves. I remember making a statement such as, 'It's no secret what God can do in a man's life.' About two hours later, as we were about to leave the actor's home he said, 'Stuart you ought to write a song about it is no secret what God can do. That is a beautiful thought.'"

"As we walked across the lawn, back to our house, I began to think about it. When we arrived at home, I walked into the living room and sat down at the organ.

“Our hall clock began to ‘chime’ the hour of midnight. I grabbed a pen and started writing, 'The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through' and on and on until the song was finished. I then turned and glanced at the hall clock. It was only 17 minutes after midnight. I couldn't believe it. I had never been able to write any musical composition in less than three or four hours. I thought the clock had stopped. I then looked and saw the big pendulum still swinging."

Hamblen married Suzy Daniels and they had two children. They were married 55 years.

Verse One

“The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through,

Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew,

Do not be disheartened, I have news for you.”

Acts 5:42

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah."

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The disciples didn’t stop preaching for a moment. This challenges each of us as followers of Jesus. They continued where we may have stopped. We often find the threat of social rejection enough to make us keep quiet about who Jesus is and what He did for us. We need to have the apostles’ courage and determination to stand firm for Jesus Christ.

Spurgeon spoke of this kind of bold heart: “Now I charge every Christian here to be speaking boldly in Christ’s name, according as he has opportunity, and especially to take care of this tendency of our flesh to be afraid; which leads practically to endeavors to get off easily and to save ourselves from trouble. Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for Him who died lovingly for you.”

Verse Two

“There is no night for in His light, you never walk alone,

Always feel at home, wherever you may roam.

There is no power can conquer you, while God is on your side,

Take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.”

Romans 4:20

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: There are many precious promises of God, and faith requires all of His children to trust His Word, believe His promises, and have faith in the truth of Scripture. It is a great tribute to Abraham that Paul records that with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God . . . and we should seek to achieve an equivalent faith that stands firm on the promises of God . . .  Not one of us should stagger at the Lord’s promises within His Word, for what God has said He will carry out to completion, for God cannot lie and will never change His mind, and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He is faithful and trustworthy, and all His promise are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: The religion of the Lord Jesus is not in word—in human eloquence, excellence of speech, or even in doctrines; but in power, in the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit; enlightening, quickening, converting, and sanctifying believers.

Refrain

“It is no secret what God can do.

What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.

With arms wide open He’ll pardon you,

It is no secret what God can do.”

 

Isaiah 55:7

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: He abounds in forgiveness. This is the conviction of those who are pardoned; this is the promise of inestimable worth which is made to all who are willing to return to God. On the grounds of this promise all may come to Him, and none who come shall be sent empty away.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: Repentance is not something a person must do before God will accept him or her. It is simply a description of what seeking the Lord looks like. In other words, cleaning up one’s life is not a precondition for acceptance by God. The person who genuinely seeks the Lord and calls on His name has come to grips with his or her sin and is willing to turn it over to the Lord.

Biblestudytools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: The promise of pardon is absolute and unconditional, and is here observed as the motive to forsake sin, and not that as the condition of pardon; the design is to comfort those that are distressed with sin; God does and will pardon, and none but He can, and He has declared that He will; forgiveness is with Him, and it is published in the gospel, and there have been many instances of it. The Lord abundantly pardons.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

En.wikipedia.org

Imdb.com

Hamblenmusic.com

DianaLeaghMatthews.com

Staugustine.com, Lindsay Terry

By His Grace . . . 

Living For Jesus

In 1915, C. Harold Lowden wrote a “light and summery” type of gospel song for children entitled “The Sunshine Song." Lowden shared: “It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to him that the music should be saved, and a more general setting of words wedded to it. In 1917, I came across a copy of it in my files and played it over. The rhythm and tempo suggested the words ‘Living for Jesus.’ The idea came to me that a deep consecration setting of words would be most appropriate.

“After much thought and prayer, I decided to ask T. O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so, Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn’t have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing words to music. Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks, he had completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today.”

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was born on July 29, 1866, in a log cabin near Franklin, Kentucky. Despite his lack of formal education, he became a teacher at the age of 16. By the age of twenty-one, he was associate editor for his hometown newspaper, Franklin Advocate.

 At the age of 27, Chisholm had a Christian conversion experience during a revival in Franklin led by Henry Clay Morrison. Morrison persuaded Chisholm to move to Louisville where he became editor of the Pentecostal Herald. Following his ordination in 1903, Chisholm was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church for one year, before resigning due to poor health. After 1909 Chisholm began working as a life insurance agent in Winola Lake and later in Vineland, New Jersey.

By the time of his retirement he had written over 1,200 poems, 800 of which were published in a number of periodicals such as The Sunday School Times.

Carl Harold Lowden came from a musical family. His father is said to have played the trumpet while rocking Carl’s cradle and his mother played the organ. He was born in 1883, in Burlington, New Jersey. By age 12, Carl was selling compositions to Hall-Mack Company and conducting the church orchestra by the time he was a teenager.

Lowden was associated both with the Hall-Mack Company and with music publisher, John J. Hood. In 1913, he became music editor for the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now the United Church of Christ). Mr. Lowden taught music for several years at the Bible Institute of PA (now the Philadelphia College of Bible). He also served as the minister of music for the Linden Baptist Church in Camden, NJ, for 28 years.

Mr. Lowden composed a number of hymn tunes and edited many songbook collections during his lifetime. He died in 1963.

 Verse One

“Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.”

Colossian 1:9-12

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the Kingdom of light.”

Theologian-theology.com: Paul’s general purpose in writing the letter is that they would be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Paul thinks this knowledge of God’s will, will help the Colossians to live lives that are worthy of and pleasing to Christ. Specifically, the kind of life it will help them to live is one that is marked by good works and growing knowledge of God. This, then, is the life that Paul wants for the Colossians . . . a life marked by good works and growing knowledge of God. These two aspects of the Christian life are inseparable: knowledge of God moves one to do good things.

Verse Two

“Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.”

Psalm 143:10

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Christianity.com: David prays that he might be enlightened with the knowledge of God’s will; and this is the first work of the Spirit. A good man does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way. Not only show me what Thy will is but teach me how to do it. Those who have the Lord for their God, have His Spirit for their Guide; they are led by the Spirit. 

Verse Three

“Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.”

2 Timothy 2:3

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Biblehib.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in His cause . . . We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience . . . Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up to consider what they hear or read.

Verse Four

“Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.”

Psalm 107:2

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: No Christian has the right to remain silent with regard to the salvation that has been conferred upon him through the gospel of Christ . . . God’s saints need to be vocal about their redemption. If it was required of ancient Israel that they should extol the wonders of God’s delivering them from Babylon, is it not equally binding upon the New Israel to proclaim the wonders of “salvation in Jesus Christ?”

I am indebted to the following resources:

En.wikipedia.org

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Umcdiscipleship.org, Dr. Hawn

Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories

BlueletterBible.org

By His Grace . . . 

 

Victory in Jesus

 

The hymn “Victory in Jesus” holds a special place in the hearts of many Christians. It's powerful message and catchy tune have resonated with people for decades. The song was written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, a gospel songwriter, in the early 20th century. It speaks of the redemptive power of Jesus and the victory one can experience through Him.

Bartlett was born in Waynesville, Missouri, in 1885. He grew up in Sabastian County, Arkansas, and was educated as a music teacher at Hall-Moody Institute in Tennessee and William Jewell College in Missouri. In 1917, he married Joan Tatum.  The couple had two children together.

Bartlett began his career as a publisher for the Central Music Company in Arkansas. In 1918, he established Hartford Music Company, which became one of the first publishing companies for Southern Gospel music.  He served as company president from 1918 until 1935. 

In addition to establishing the music company, he also established a shape note school, the Hartford Music Institute in 1921 and began publishing a monthly quartet magazine, The Herald of Song. As a publisher, his hymn book was in demand, selling over 15,000 copies across the county.

He felt his calling was to publish hymns and teach aspiring singers how to sight-read. He traveled the south, holding singing school and singing conventions. These and similar schools trained aspiring musicians in vocal technique, sight reading, and conducting, and were influential in the development of church music for much of the remainder of the century.

But in 1939 at age 53, his world changed drastically. Bartlett suffered a paralyzing stroke that left him unable to walk or even speak and for the most part, he was bedridden. Many felt the stroke ended his teaching ministry, yet it was during these dark days that Bartlett would write his best-known hymn, Victory in Jesus.

While looking back over his life he began to think back to the night he was born again and the rich life he had since that night. He picked up a pen and began writing with the following words: “I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, how He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.” Realizing that the love of God had sustained him and brought him to where he was that day, he is quoted as saying he felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to add another verse. He wrote, “I heard about His healing, of His saving power revealing, how He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see.”

When he completed the song, he looked back over it and saw it was a story of redeeming power from start to finish. He wanted the song to be joyous. And while written during the darkest period of his life he chose to make the melody full of happiness and enthusiasm.

Verse One

“I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Calvary, to save a wretch like me;

I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood’s atoning,

Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.”

Acts 2:38

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized. Every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Studylight.org, A. C. Hervey, Pulpit Commentary: We have in this short verse the summary of Christian doctrine as regards man and God. Repentance and faith on the part of man; forgiveness of sins, or justification, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, or sanctification, on the part of God.

 Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Biblehub.com, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers: The Apostle will not be ashamed of his mission, even in the metropolis of the world. He cannot be ashamed of a [plan] so beneficent and so grand. The gospel that he preaches is that mighty agency which God Himself has set in motion, and the object of which is the salvation of all who put their faith in it, to whatever nation or race they may belong.

Verse Two

“I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing,

How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;

And then I cried, ‘Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,’

And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.”

Ephesians 3:7

“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power.”

Biblestudytools.com: The power of God is seen in working grace in the hearts of men, thereby making them believers in Christ; and it is also displayed in the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on men, which is called being endued with a power from on high; thereby making men . . . ministers of Christ; and likewise in assisting them in their work, and in carrying them through it, and in making them successful in it, to the conversion of sinners, and the edification of saints.

Psalm 20:6

“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: With the saving strength . . . That is, He will interpose with that saving strength. Literally, “with the strength of salvation.” The answer to the prayer will be manifest in the strength or power put forth by Him to save . . . The right hand is the instrument by which we mainly execute our purposes; and by constant use it becomes in fact more fully developed and is stronger than the left hand. Hence, it is used to denote “strength.”

Verse Three

“I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,

And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing and the old redemption story—

And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.”

John 14:2

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: This Christ says partly to reconcile the minds of His disciples to His departure from them, and partly to strengthen their hope of following Him thither; in which “are many mansions”; abiding or dwelling places; mansions of love, peace, joy, and rest, which always remain: and there are “many” of them . . . it denotes fulness and sufficiency of room for all His people; for the many ordained to eternal life.

Ephesians 1:13-14

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.”

RedeemingGod.com: Paul writes that as a result of their belief, they were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit . . . it is to guarantee that we are genuine, it shows ownership, who we belong to, it shows that we are approved, and it provides us with protection or security.

Refrain

“Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him—

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood."

Ephesians 1:7

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Bibleref.com: This verse transitions to payment Jesus made for us “through His blood.” Paul is referring to Christ’s death on the cross as the sufficient payment for the sins of all who believe. What did this redemption cover? It paid to release us from the eternal penalty and the earthly power of our own sins.  This freedom was not “free,” since it is paid for by Christ’s death; it cost Him everything. As a result, for the believer, the ultimate price has already been paid. This is grace: the ability to become a child of God, because God provided a free way to know Him by faith.

“Victory In Jesus” is more than just a song; it is a constant reminder of God’s grace and mercy in each of our lives. The lyrics serve as a powerful testimony of how Jesus can save and transform even the most broken and lost individuals.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Bbackstorysongs.com

DianaleaghMatthews.com

Oldtimemusic.com, Judy Gibson

Follow-jesus-camp.blogspot.com

William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, The Complete Book of Hymns

En.wikipedia.org

Thedailyhatch.org

 By His Grace . . .