Standing on the Promises

R. Kelso Carter, author and composer, wrote this testimony of his life:

“I was surrounded by Christian influences. My father stood for nearly half a century in the rank of Christian workers in Baltimore; by his side I had the example of a patient, loving mother. I cannot remember when I was not subject to deep convictions of sin; yet as a school-boy, I wandered from the truth until age fifteen, when, under the influence of the cadet prayer-meeting in the PA Military Academy, I made a profession of faith in Jesus.

"But I made a common mistake; I didn’t forsake my old companions and habits, and for fourteen years I lived the up-and-down experience so familiar to the average church member. I never enjoyed myself so much as when working in Mr. Moody’s meetings in Baltimore; yet even up to that time I was continually slipping and falling. My soul cried for deliverance, and God’s unlimited promises stood out like stars above me. But I wasn’t willing to pay the price.

"In the summer of 1879, my heart, which had been chronically diseased for seven years, resisting the remedies of physicians, and refusing to grow better even after three years of sheep-ranching in California, suddenly broke down so seriously as to bring me to the verge of the grave. I had heard of the ‘prayer of faith’ for healing, but I felt persuaded it would border on blasphemy to ask God for a strength which I didn’t propose to use wholly for Him.

"Kneeling in my mother’s room in Baltimore, I made a consecration that covered everything. All doubtful things were swept aside. I meant every word, and I have never had any doubts about it since. A quietness came over me and I found the Bible wonderfully open and marvelously satisfying, as it had never been before.  

"Feeling all the more impressed with God’s healing promises, I decided to go to Boston and ask for prayer and anointing at the hands of Dr. Cullis. I was terribly weak, but I went. I will only add that I returned in three days, walking by faith, and not by feeling. I resumed my college work in September, and at once engaged in all kinds of religious work. I was healed by the power of God alone. Praise the Lord!”

After his healing Carter vowed to be used for God and this became the principle of his life “to stand on God’s promise.”

Russell Kelso Carter was born on November 18, 1849, in Baltimore. MD and died on August 23, 1928, in Catonsville, MD. During his student days, he was known as an outstanding athlete.

In 1887, he was ordained into the Methodist ministry and became an active leader in the Holiness Camp Meeting Movement. Throughout his entire life, Carter was known as a most interesting, versatile individual. In addition to being a Methodist minister, he was a professor of chemistry, natural science, civil engineering, and mathematics for a number of years at the Pennsylvania Military Academy. 

He was also a sheep rancher in California for a period of time, a publisher of a number of textbooks in his various teaching disciplines, as well as the author of several novels, and an assistant in the compilation of the Christian and Missionary Alliance hymnal. "Hymns of the Christian Life," was a hymnal in which he contributed sixty-eight original tunes and fifty-two poems. In his later years, he decided to study medicine and become a practicing physician in Baltimore, MD.

Carter begins each verse with the reminder: “Standing on the Promises.” He would claim 2 Corinthians 1:20 as his anchor: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Verse One

“Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.”

 Psalm 47:6

“Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.”

Biblehub.com, The Treasury of David: “Sing praises." What jubilation is here, when the whole earth is called upon to sing to God! He is worthy, He is Creator, He is goodness itself. Sing praises; keep on with the glad work. Never let the music pause. He never ceases to be good, let us never cease to be grateful . . . "Sing praises unto our King." Let Him have all our praise; no one ought to have even a particle of it. Jesus shall have it all. Let His sovereignty be the fount of gladness. It is a sublime attribute, but full of bliss to the faithful. Let our homage be paid not in groans but in songs . . . Let all hearts . . . sing and sing on forever, for there is everlasting reason for thanksgiving while we dwell under the shadow of such a throne.

Verse Two

“Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.”

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Bibliaplus.org, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible: We must commit our ways and works to the Lord; let Him do as seemeth Him good and let us be satisfied. To cast our burden upon God, is to rest upon His providence and promise. And if we do so, He will carry us in the arms of His power, as a nurse carries a child; and will strengthen our spirits by His Spirit, so that they shall sustain the trial. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved; to be so shaken by any troubles, as to quit their duty to God, or their comfort in Him. He will not suffer them to be utterly cast down. He, who bore the burden of our sorrows, desires us to leave to Him to bear the burden of our cares, that, as He knows what is best for us, He may provide it accordingly. Why do not we trust Christ to govern the world which He redeemed.” 

Verse Three

“Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.”

Ephesians 6:13-18

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Christian.net, Erika Dannie: The promises of God in the Bible assure us that there will always be sunshine after all the storms in our lives. These promises will feed our souls and strengthen us to endure the hardships that come our way. Knowing what God has in store for us is essential . . . He permits hardships and turmoil to strengthen us. The strength that we gain through endurance will help us as we walk through the journey of life. And at the end of this journey we should realize how God fulfills every promise and covenant that He made and declared. Awareness of God’s promises help us to be thankful even for the afflictions that may come our way.

Verse Four

“Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.”

John 10:27-28

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s Hand."

Gotquestions.org; Your questions. Biblical Answers" In the Gospels, Jesus speaks of those who have “ears to hear” at the end of a difficult saying or parable . . . there is a difference between having ears and having "ears to hear" . . . Whenever Jesus says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” He is calling for people to pay careful heed. It’s another way of  saying, “Listen up! Pay close attention!” . . . Who is “he who has ears”? The simple answer: all people who have been, or are being given, the Words of God . . . Jesus’ simple request is that we use our God-given faculties (eyes to see, ears to hear) to tune in to His Words . . . Seeking God’s truth takes energy and focus; it takes a willingness to be challenged and changed . . . And so He bids us to hear." 

We need to know God’s promises before we can stand on the promises! That means immersing ourselves in His Word daily, reading the promises in context (to see who they are for and if there are any conditions), meditating on them, and claiming them! We want to know everything God has promised for us!”

Refrain

“Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God."

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Then Sings my Soul, Robert J. Morgan

101 More Hymn Stores, Kenneth W. Osbeck

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Bibliaplus.org; Matthew Henry Commentary on the Bible

Biblehub.com; The Treasury of David

Christian.net; Erika Dannie

Biblereasons.com

By His Grace . . . 

Holy, Holy, Holy

 

“Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber is unique in many regards. Indeed, it spans many Christian traditions and centuries, unifying them in four timeless stanzas. Not only that, but Heber was an Anglican bishop whose ministry spanned continents and races, placing him as one of the heroes of the Christian faith.

We continue to be inspired by Heber’s text today. It is safe to say that songs of praise, begun by the seraphim and cherubim, have been echoing throughout the millennia through the voice of the people.

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 to a wealthy, educated family. By the age of seven, he was translating Latin Classics into English verse. He entered Oxford at age 17 and won two awards for poetry during his time at the University.

Heber became rector of his father’s church near Shrewsbury, England. He remained there for sixteen years. While working at the little church in Hodnet, Heber also served on staff of a literary journal.

He longed to improve the singing of his little congregation at Hodnet. During his time there he began writing songs. Heber wrote over 57 hymns over the course of his career.

Most of his hymns, though, were not published until he passed away in 1826. His widow published his impressive volume of hymns, which are arranged according to the church year, Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year. This, along with A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for the Parish Church of Banbury brought his most eminent hymn into the spotlight.

Holy, Holy, Holy was written for Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is one week after Pentecost Sunday. This is evidenced by “God in three persons, blessed Trinity,” which is found in the first and last verses.

He is said to have been impressed by the holiness of God and often wrote the words “Only Thou Art Holy.” His lyrics for Holy, Holy, Holy are drawn from Revelation 4:8 where the “four living creatures sang day and night: Holy, holy, holy.”

He was the Anglican bishop over all of British India from 1823-1826. He worked tirelessly to build a training school for local clergy and traveled extensively around India preaching the gospel.

In 1826, Reginald Heber died in British India from a stroke, leaving an impressive legacy within Christianity. He had served the people of India for just three years. He had a deep fondness for India, and had been appointed the Bishop of Calcutta in 1823. The primitive conditions, duties of the position as Bishop and hot climate took a toll on his heath. He was only 43 when he died.

In 1861, a publisher asked John Bacchus Dykes to furnish him with a tune for the words of Holy, Holy, Holy. John had a natural aptitude for music; he graduated with a music master that same year. John had been a church organist since he was ten years old and was co-founder and president of the Cambridge University Musical Society.

John accepted the assignment and within thirty minutes he wrote the tune "Nicea," which carried the praise of the Trinity to Christians everywhere.

The year after he composed this famous tune, John was appointed vicar of St. Oswald. This put him in charge of a parish. He was thirty-nine and had already held several lesser church posts. John's people came to love him.

He managed to write over 300 hymn tunes. These included some of our favorite hymns, such as "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee."

John died in 1876. He was just fifty-three years old. Those who loved and admired him helped support his widow and children.

Verse One

“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty,

Early in the morning Our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,

God in three persons Blessed Trinity!”

Mark 1:35

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Liberty Bible Commentary: Two things may be noted regarding the time. First, He prayed very early, before other activities could distract or interfere. Second, the account comes the day after His encounter with many demons. An even more remarkable aspect of this prayer is the length Jesus took to assure privacy. He went into a solitary place.

Warren Wiersbe: Meeting with God is not an appointment on a clock but an appointment in your heart . . . make your time with Him a daily appointment.

Verse Two

“Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim are falling down before Thee,

Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.”

Revelation 4:10-11

“The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Biblestudytools.com: The ministers of the Gospel begin the worship of God, and lead in it, who are the four living creatures; when the members of churches, who are the four and twenty elders, follow, and approach the divine Being in a most humble manner: and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever in Spirit, and in truth, with faith and fervency, in every part of duty they are directed to; and cast their crowns before the throne, signifying, that they received them, from Him that sits upon it, being by the grace of God what they are; and that they are unworthy to wear them in His presence, being but unprofitable servants in all they do; and hereby also acknowledging their subjection to Him as their King and Lawgiver.

Verse Three

“Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy There is none beside Thee,

Perfect in power, in love and purity.”

Isaiah 45:22

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no others.”

Studylight.org, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible: This is a reason why they should look to Him to be saved. It is clear that none but the true God can save the soul. No one else but He can pronounce sin forgiven; no one but He can rescue from a deserved hell. No idol, no man, no angel can save; and, therefore, the sinner is saved, he must come to the true God, and depend on Him.

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: This is why we must look to the Lord, and to the Lord alone. Only He is God. Institutions are not God. The church is not God. Pastors are not God. Brothers and sisters in Christ are not God. We don't look to them; we look to the LORD, for He alone is God . . . When God confirms an oath, who does He swear by? He swears by Himself. There is no one greater, so He swears by His own holy name and character.

Verse Four

“Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty,

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;

Holy, holy, holy Merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”

Psalm 96:11-13

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant and then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.”

Bibliaplus.org, Albert Barnes Bible Commentary: Let all that swell in the seas praise God. His reign is an occasion for universal gladness. All in the inanimate world; all among the irrational tribes of being; all in the air, in the waters, or on the earth, have occasion for praise, and would render praise if they could appreciate the wisdom and goodness present in their creation. Though unconscious, the lower creatures seem to celebrate His praise; but man only can give an intelligent utterance to thanksgiving.

Both Isaiah 6:1-4 and Revelation 4:2-11 share the words, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Isaiah received his vision in the eighth century B.C.; John the Apostle recorded his revelation in the first century C.E. [Common Era]; while Reginald Heber composed his hymn in 1826, in the nineteenth century.

The real message of this hymn is one of the basic doctrines of the church. Embodied in its four verses are the attributes of the ‘Trinity: “God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”

God alone is holy and yet He commands us to be holy. Jesus is the answer to this dilemma. Scripture teaches us that Jesus has brought us into God and made us partakers of His divine nature. He has made us one with God if we have received Jesus as our Savior!

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Umcdiscipleship.org

Reflectworship.com

John B. Dykes, Composer

Christianity.com

Reflectworship.com

By His Grace . . . 

In My Heart There Rings a Melody

This is a hymn of joy, not merely happiness or pleasure, but an eternal joy that persists through all the sorrows and tragedies of life. It is a hymn of peace and serenity that gives poise and maturity amid the pressures of our present-day living, making the Christian faith something that is vital and everlasting.

The author and composer of this favorite gospel hymn, Elton M. Roth, was born in Berne, Indiana.  At the age of fourteen, he directed his first church choir. Later, he attended the Moody Bible Institute as well as the Fort Wayne Bible School of Indiana. Roth also did further, serious, music study with several, prominent, European music teachers. For a time, he traveled extensively with several evangelists as their song leader and choir director. Roth then taught for a period of time at several different Bible schools and colleges, including a six-year period at the Missionary Training Institute in Nyack, NY.

Roth later moved to Los Angeles, where he became increasingly known as a distinguished church musician, singer, composer, and conductor. In the 1930’s, he organized a professional group known as the Ecclesia Choir, which performed many anthems and more than 100 sacred songs, for which he composed the music and generally the text as well. It is interesting to note, however, that of all of Roth’s compositions, only this simple gospel hymn, written in his early ministry, is still in general use.

Some people would say that singing is evidence of a life filled with the Holy Spirit, and perhaps this is so, if it’s the right kind of singing. Roth was a Spirit-filled man who wrote this song while taking a break from leading evangelistic meetings in Texas in 1923. Walking on an oppressively hot afternoon, he paused at the open door of an empty church. He stepped inside and felt God’s presence there and began singing some of the above words.

Soon he had written the whole song, and he introduced it at an open-air meeting that evening. The song was quickly learned by a choir of over two hundred young people, and after they had sung it, the audience joined in. Elton said, “I was thrilled as it seemed my whole being was transformed by the song.” 

There’s a melody that rings in each heart where Jesus lives. It’s a sweet melody—one that speaks to our soul of God’s love . . . What a blessing it is to express our thankfulness to God for His love, grace, and mercy. Our words, thoughts, and feelings of gratitude harmonize with the angels in heaven even now, for we’ve begun to sing our melody of love. It’s a song that will never end.

 Verse One

“I have a song that Jesus gave me

It was sent from heav’n above;

There never was a sweeter melody,

‘Tis a melody of love.”

Luke 1:46-48

“Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.”

Biblestudytools.com, Ashley Hooker: Mary teaches us about our personal walk with Christ. The first thing that shines is how Mary had been what one pastor calls, "saturated with Scripture." Her words allude to passages found in Psalm 22, 44, 103 and many others . . . Mary also displayed a heart of humility. In verse 47 Mary says, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." She recognizes that God is her Savior – meaning she is a sinner . . . Mary’s song is a song of praise. She is saying that the Lord is great . . . her song speaks of who she is and how deep her faith is. In verses 46-47 she says, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." 

Verse Two

“I love the Christ who died on Calv’ry;

For He washed my sins away.

He put within my heart a melody,

And I know it’s there to stay.”

Psalm 98:1-4

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”

Biblestudytools.com, Matthew Henr6y Commentary: We are here called upon to sing unto the Lord a new song, as in Psalm 96:1. "Sing a most excellent song, the best song you have." Let the song of Christ's love be like Solomon's on that subject, a song of songs. A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, such a song as had not been sung before; for this is a mystery which was hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new song, very different from what they had sung; they change their wonder and change their joy, and therefore change their note. If the grace of God put a new heart into our breasts, it will put a new song into our mouths. In the New Jerusalem there will be new songs sung, that will be new to eternity, and never wax old. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God 

Verse 3

‘Twill be my endless theme in glory,

With the angels I will sing.

‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony,

When the courts of heaven ring.”

Revelation 5:13

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”

Godtube.com, Clarke's Bible Commentary: All parts of the creation, animate and inanimate, are represented here as giving praise to the Lord Jesus, because by Him all things were created. We find the whole creation gives precisely the same praise, and in the same terms, to Jesus Christ, who is undoubtedly meant here by the Lamb just slain as they give to God who sits upon the throne.” 

Refrain

“In my heart there rings a melody,

There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony.

In my heart there rings a melody,

There rings a melody of love.”

Colossians 3:16

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Preceptaustin.org: Let the Christian truth have its enduring abode "within you"- let it be no stranger or occasional guest in your heart. Let it not be without you, as a lesson to be learned, but within you, as the source of cherished and permanent illumination. Let it stay within you-abundantly. That is, let it be completely understood, or let the soul be fully under its influence. Let it dwell not with a scanty foothold, but with a large and liberal occupancy.

This hymn is a perfect example of Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:19, “. . . speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”

When our worship and personal experience are full of joy and song, it will be easier for our lives to encourage others to know this same happiness.

I am indebted to the following resources:

101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck

Heather Allington; saoshawa.ca

How Sweet the Sound by George Beverly Shea

Amazing Grace by Kenneth W. Osbeck

By His Grace . . .

 

I Love to Tell the Story

 

If you know this old hymn, you may have been captivated by its simplicity as it declares the composer’s faith in Jesus. The words, full of evangelistic zeal, carry the hearer to the heart of the gospel.

“I Love to Tell the Story,” while certainly biblically driven, cannot be separated from the writer’s life experience and testimony. Katherine Hankey’s love for her Savior inspired her deep passion for seeing souls saved. Her zeal to tell others about Jesus in word and deed was a driving force in her life. The heart of the gospel is “Good News.” She proclaimed the good news of salvation in her actions, writing, and music.

Katherine Hankey, the daughter of a prosperous British banker, grew up in a stylish London suburb. She started a Bible class for girls in her neighborhood. When she was only eighteen, Hankey went to London to teach a Bible class to "factory girls." In her twenties, she started other Bible classes for factory girls.

The girls in the class were eager to learn about the gospel. They had been taught well. Their enthusiastic teacher was a natural for such leadership because she had been a student of the gospel from childhood. Born in England in 1834, her family guided her in the faith. As members of the Anglican Church, they actively shared the gospel among the wealthy in their elite suburb of London.

The evangelistic spirit, however, was moving rapidly among all classes of people. So it was fitting that Katherine, nicknamed Kate, would reach out to teach Sunday School classes among the poor as well as the rich.

When she was in her early thirties, Kate became seriously ill. Doctors said she needed a year of bed rest. She was forbidden to teach her Bible classes for twelve months.

 During her long, slow recovery, she wrote two lengthy poems. The first, at the beginning of her convalescence, later became the hymn, ”Tell Me the Old, Old, Story.” The second, written ten months later, became “I Love to Tell the Story.” It fully covers Jesus’ life, focusing on His glory and love but just touching on His birth, life, and Resurrection. It creates a desire to know more. 

After she recovered from her long illness, the speaker at a large convention quoted parts of her poem.  William Doane (1832-1915) happened to be in the audience and was entranced by the poetry.  Doane was a successful businessman who happened to love Christian music.  During his lifetime he composed the music for hundreds of hymns and edited a number of hymn collections.

Upon hearing Kate’s poem, Doane was inspired to use part of it as the basis for the hymn, “Tell Me the Old, Old Story.”

In Katherine’s later years, she became too old to go out into the streets to declare the gospel. She continued proclaiming its message in another way. Katherine organized Bible classes in the local prisons toward the end of her life. She never quit telling the old, old story until her death at age 77 in 1911.

Verse One

“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 As nothing else can do.”

Matthew 5:16

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes' Notes on the Bible: Let your holy life, your pure conversation, and your faithful instructions, be everywhere seen and known . . . The proper motive to influence us is not simply that we may be seen, but it should be that our heavenly Father may be glorified . . . true Christians act to glorify God, and care little what people may think of them, except as by their conduct others may be brought to honor God. 

Verse Two

“I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems,

Than all the 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.”

 Job 23:12

“I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”

Biblehub.com, Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food; the words of the Lord, the doctrines of grace that came from His mouth, are food for faith; there are in them milk for babes, and meat for strong men; they are savory, salutary, and wholesome words, by which the people of God are nourished up unto eternal life; and they are esteemed by them more than the food that is necessary and convenient for their bodies.” 

Verse Three

“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.”

Psalm 71:14-15

“But as for me I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.”

Christianity.com, Mattheew Henry's Concise Commentary: The psalmist declares that the righteousness of Christ, and the great salvation obtained thereby, shall be the chosen subject of his discourse . . . The righteousness is unspeakable, the salvation everlasting. God will not cast off his grey-headed servants when no longer capable of laboring as they have done. The Lord often strengthens His people in their souls . . . And while speaking of His righteousness, and singing His praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have earnests of the joys of heaven. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise.” 

Verse Four

“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 the new, new song,

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

Romans 1:11-12

“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

Biblehub.com: We should readily impart to others what God has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same things with us. If redeemed by the blood, and converted by the grace of the Lord Jesus, we are altogether His; and for His sake we are debtors to all men, to do all the good we can. Such services are our duty.

Isn’t it encouraging to see Bible students who already know the story continue to come to study groups? Even after a lifetime of knowing Jesus, we still hunger and thirst to hear the story like new Christians. The last verse, affirms this: "And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, ‘twill be the old, old, story that I have loved so long."

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Christianity.com; Sylvia Schroeder, Contributing Writer

The Complete Books of Hymns by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen

52 Hymn Story Devotions, by Lucy Neeley Adams

I love to tell the story lyrics; Sermonwriter.com

A Song in my Heart, by Robert J. Morgan

By His Grace . . .