Let the Lower Lights Be Burning

 

"The light of God’s mercy beams brightly from His lighthouse. That light emanates from Him and from His Son, Jesus Christ, the 'Light of the world.' But God also gives His followers the privilege of reflecting His light. What an incredible responsibility! We must remember, though, that God never gives us work without empowering us. He keeps His lamp burning within us as we study His Word and commune with Him. He gives us courage to let our light shine and words to offer hope to those 'trying now to make the harbor.'" George Beverly Shea,

Philip Bliss was a leading, gospel song writer of the late 19th century. He often received the inspiration for a hymn, while listening to a message during a church service. Once an idea struck his alert mind, he worked rapidly usually completing both the text and the music in one sitting.

One day, while traveling with Dwight L Moody as the musician for an evangelistic campaign, Bliss was impressed by an illustration used by Mr. Moody for a message. Moody often told this terse, but moving story of a violent storm on Lake Erie:

“On a dark, stormy night, when the waves rolled like mountains and not a star was to be seen, a boat, rocking and plunging, neared the Cleveland harbor. ‘Are you sure this is Cleveland?’ asked the Captain, seeing only light from the lighthouse. ‘Quite sure, sir.’ replied the pilot. ‘Where are the lower lights?’

“Gone out, sir!’ ‘Can you make the harbor?’ 'We must, or perish, sir.’ With a strong hand and a brave heart, the old pilot turned the wheel. But alas, in the darkness he missed the channel, and, with a crash upon the rocks, the boat was slivered and many a life lost in a watery grave.

‘Brethren,’ concluded Mr. Moody, ‘the Master will take care of the great lighthouse. Let us keep the lower lights burning.”

Bliss was inspired by the story. Working rapidly, he sat down and penned the words and composed the melody in one sitting.

Bliss was born in Clearfield County, PA in 1838. His youthful days were spent on a farm or in a lumber camp, where he experienced severe poverty. At an early age, young Bliss displayed unusual talent and interest in sacred music. Although he never received a formal training in music, his self-study made him a knowledgeable and proficient musician. 

At the age of twenty-five, Bliss sent a letter and a copy of his first music manuscript to Dr. George Root, wondering if he could sell his song to the Root and Cady Music Company, a leading music publishing house, in exchange for a flute. Root recognized the talent of this young man and immediately encouraged him with a new flute.

The next year, Bliss moved with his family from PA to Chicago and became actively involved with the Root and Cady Company, as their representative in conducting music conventions and training institutes through the Midwest. During this time, Bliss’ abilities as a gospel singer, song leader, and writer became increasingly recognized.

Bliss would go on to compose other great hymns such as Jesus Loves Even Me, Wonderful Words of Life, Hallelujah, What a Savior and Hold the Fort before his untimely death in a tragic train accident at the tender age of thirty-eight

Verse One

“Brightly beams our Father’s mercy,

From His lighthouse evermore,

But to us He gives the keeping,

Of the lights along the shore.”

John 8:12

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: Christ is the true Light of the World, but we who have received His new life have been entrusted to carry the testimony of His light, His life and His love into a darkened world, and He has commanded us to live out our lives in a manner that is well-pleasing to Him. We are to walk in the light as He is in the Light and we are to point lost souls to the One Who lightens our darkness and breathes life into the lifeless soul.

Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: He that closely, humbly, steadily follows Me, shall have the divine light continually shining upon him, diffusing over his soul knowledge, holiness, and joy, till he is guided by it to life everlasting.

Verse Two

“Dark the night of sin has settled,

Loud the angry billows roar;

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the lights along the shore.”

Acts 8:4

“Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.”

Studylight.org, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible: Announcing the Good News of the message of mercy, or the Word of God . . . common Christians who were scattered by the persecution; and the meaning is, that they communicated to their fellow men in conversation the glad tidings that the Messiah had come . . . it should be the great object of all Christians to make the Savior known everywhere.

Christiabity.com, Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary: Though persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer is driven, he carries the knowledge of the gospel, and makes known the preciousness of Christ in every place. Where a simple desire of doing good influences the heart, it will be found impossible to shut a man out from all opportunities of usefulness. 

Verse Three

“Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.”

2 Timothy 4:2

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Those who love souls must be ever watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel. 

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole's Commentary: In season, out of season; that is, at all times, not on the Lord’s days only, but any other time when thou hast opportunity; not in times when thou mayst do it with safety, but when the wisdom of the flesh tells thee it is out of season.

Refrain

“Let the lower lights be burning!

Send a gleam across the wave!

Some poor ‘struggling, fainting seaman,'

You may rescue, you may save.”

Greg Chandler wrote these words about lower lights on the Teachingtruth.org website:

“Bliss' lyrics echo a message found throughout the pages of God’s Word, reaching its crescendo in what the Lord described as the second greatest command: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22:39). Prior to delivering this teaching, Jesus was asked, 'What is the greatest command?' In reply, He stated, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' (vs. 37). Knowing that loving one’s neighbor cannot be divorced from loving God, Jesus paired these two teachings, demonstrating a way in which the greatest command is displayed.

“Interestingly, the Bible is filled with lower lights. Consider Abraham’s faithful servant Eleazar, who sought a wife for his master’s son; Boaz, who proved a true kinsman for Ruth and Naomi; Barzillai, who provided for King David as he fled his son’s rebellion; the women at the tomb, who willingly volunteered to care for the body of Jesus; Priscilla and Aquila, who “'risked their necks' for Paul (Romans 16:3-4); the mother of Rufus, who was also a mother to Paul. So many others could be added to the list, yet these illustrate people who briefly crossed the Bible stage as they sought to do good for others.

"The biblical concept of kindness always involves concrete action; therefore, God’s lower lights are always busy in the service of others.

“Becoming a lower light is not passive; it requires seeking out opportunities to serve. Most people, for whatever reason, will not freely volunteer that they are in need. Therefore, lower lights do not simply say, 'if there’s anything I can do…' and then go on their way; they seek out and fulfill what is needed. As in all worthy pursuits, time and effort will be required. Lower lights are as busy as everyone else, yet they do not allow their busyness to serve as an excuse; time is allotted to help others. They understand that part of 'laying up treasures in Heaven' involves putting others first.” 

We can be the ‘lower lights’ that God uses to break through the darkness. It is a privilege to show His love to others. Sometimes an understanding smile, a listening heart, or a few caring words can reach out to someone, giving an opportunity for God’s love to reach out and open the eyes and heart of someone you know.

The lower lights surrounding a lighthouse guide the boats in the harbor away from the treacherous rocks and into the channel. The interesting analogy in this hymn was suggested by Moody. We may not all be powerful lighthouses, such as Mr. Moody, Ira Sankey, or Philip Bliss, but God calls us each to be ‘lower lights’ wherever we are to guide some fainting, struggling person to the eternal haven with deeds, and direct all the praise to our heavenly Father.

I am indebted to the following resources:

101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck

How Sweet the Sound by George Beverly Shea

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Amazing Grace, Kenneth W. Osbeck

By His Grace . . .

It Is Well With My Soul

 

Most of us our familiar with the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul," and many of us have heard the story of when it was written. While I was writing this study, I was reminded of some other facts regarding this hymn that aren’t as well known.

This incredible story of faith belongs to Horatio Spafford (1828-1888). Much like Job, he placed his trust in God during his life’s prosperity, but also during its calamities. He was a devout Christian who had immersed himself in Scripture. Many years of his life were joyous. He was a prominent Chicago lawyer, whose business was thriving. He owned several properties throughout the city. He and his beloved wife, Anna, had four beautiful daughters. Life was more than good — it was blessed.

But faith, no matter how great, does not spare us from adversity.

Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago. He was an active member of a Presbyterian church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day.

The great Chicago fire of 1871 wiped out the family’s extensive real estate investments. When Mr. Moody and his music associate Ira Sankey left for Great Britain for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to take his family to Europe to lift their spirits and also to assist in the meetings.

In November 1873, Spafford was detained by urgent business, but he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the SS Ville du Havre, planning to join them soon. Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters—Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie—were among the 226 who drowned. Mrs. Spafford was among the few who were miraculously saved.

Spafford booked passage on the next ship. It was while crossing the Atlantic that he penned the words to the hymn.

Spafford stood for hours on the deck of the ship that carried him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales. When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, “When sorrows like sea billows roll . . . It is well with my soul.” What a picture of our hope!

Famous hymn composer, Philip Bliss (1838-1876), was so moved by Spafford’s prose, that he composed a peaceful tune to accompany the words. The song was published by Bliss and Sankey, in 1876.

After the sinking of the Ville du Havre, Anna gave birth to three more children. Another daughter, Bertha, was born in 1878. A son, Horatio, in 1880, though he later died of scarlet fever. After the birth of daughter Grace in 1881, Spafford and his wife moved to Jerusalem out of a deep interest in the Holy Land. They left the Presbyterian congregation Spafford had helped build and hosted prayer meetings in their home. Their Messianic sect was dubbed the “Overcomers” by the American press. They sought to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes; generous and benevolent.

The Spaffords adopted a teenager, Jacob, who was born in Remallah into a Turkish family. As a schoolboy, Jacob discovered the Siloam inscription which records the construction of a tunnel, which has been dated to the 8th century BC. It is the only known ancient inscription from ancient Israel and Judah which commemorates a public construction work. It is among the oldest existing records of its kind written in Hebrew using the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet. The inscription is held by the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.

It’s incredible to think such encouraging and uplifting words were born from the depths of such unimaginable sorrow. It’s an example of truly inspiring faith and trust in the Lord. And it goes to show the power our God has to overcome even the darkest times of our earthly life.

Verse One

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Acts 27:22

“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” 

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Observe the solemn profession Paul made of relation to God. No storms or tempests can hinder God's favor to His people, for He is a Help always at hand. It is a comfort to the faithful servants of God when in difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work for them to do, their lives shall be prolonged.

Verse Two

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”

 Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Bibleref.com: This much-loved verse is quoted, printed, and repeated often, most especially the first half of this statement. This is also Paul’s grandest declaration yet about what exactly happens when someone is saved or justified by placing their faith in Christ. In a very real sense, Paul’s argument is that we become so closely attached to Him that we die with Him and He begins to live in us. Paul has been emphasizing that faith, and faith alone, is what saves us—adding any requirement of good deeds or rituals is contrary to the gospel . . . Christ was crucified for our sin. By faith, we trust that His death paid for our own personal sin. In that way, we are crucified with Him, our sin with Him on the cross. That sinful “us” dies, replaced by the resurrected Christ “in us.” We continue to live in the flesh, of course, but our lives are now directed not by our sinful selves but by our faith in Christ. For the first time, Paul mentions Jesus’ motive for giving Himself for us: love. Christ died for us because He loves us, unlike the unyielding system of the law, Christ is a Person motivated by His love and concern for us.” 

Verse Three

“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought,

My sin, not in part but the whole.

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.”

Romans 6:10-11

“The death He [Christ] died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Since we have already died to sin with Jesus, death no longer has dominion over us. The new man not only has life; he has eternal life . . . The new life we are granted isn't given so we can live unto ourselves. With the new life, he lives to God. We aren't dead to sin, free from sin, and given eternal life to live as we pleased, but to live to please God.

Verse Four

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.”

Revelation 11:15

“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever.”

Bibleref.com: When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, spontaneous worship breaks out in heaven. Loud voices proclaim the Good News that the kingdom of the world is now the Kingdom of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Refrain

“It is well

With my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.”

It’s incredible to think such encouraging and uplifting words were born from the depths of such unimaginable sorrow. It’s an example of truly inspiring faith and trust in the Lord. And it goes to show the power our God has to overcome even the darkest times of our earthly life.

 

 I am indebted to the following resources:

AmericanSongwriter.com; Barnabas Piper

GodTube.com

Amazing Grace, Kenneth W. Osbeck

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

Umcdiscipleship.org; Dr. Hawn is professor of sacred music at Perkins School of Theology, SMU

Biiblegateway.comEen.wikipedia.org

 

By His Grace . . . 

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

 

This hymn is a commentary on Romans 5, particularly verse 20b, which says: “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” These words remind the sinner that despite what has happened in the person’s life, God’s grace has wiped away all sin through the death of Jesus.

Julia Harriette Johnston was born in Ohio, in 1849. She lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania most of the first six years of life, while her father pastored a church there. At the age of six she moved with her family to Peoria, Illinois where her father was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Peoria. Her mother and grandmother were poets, and Johnston originally wrote verse under the pen name, Juniata.

Johnston authored many books on Christian missions and missionaries along with hundreds of hymns. Her mother founded the Presbyterian Missionary Society of Peoria and Johnston served as president for more than twenty years. She also wrote Sunday school lessons for David C. Cook Publishing Company.  She died in 1919.

Many of Johnston’s hymn texts were published in her books. This hymn is dated to 1910. The lyrics express the unending grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The lyrics express the dark, despairing world we live in until we accept the grace “where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.”

Daniel Brink Towner composed the music for the poem. He was born in 1850 in Rome, PA, where he was reared, and received an academic education. His father, Prof. J. G. Towner, was a singer and music teacher of quite a reputation, and it was from him that the son received his early musical training.

At the age of seventeen he was known throughout PA, NY and Ohio as “the wonderful boy bass,” appearing in many concerts. A few years later he began to teach vocal music and he became music director at Moody Bible Institute. He also gained quite a reputation as an oratorio baritone soloist.

From his early youth he had dreams of someday being a composer and began to write songs and anthems even before he had studied harmony. Like many of our modern gospel song writers he began by writing secular songs, some humorous, and some sentimental. But as he became more actively engaged in the conducting of church music, these gave way for the gospel songs which have made him so widely known.

Dr. Towner is among the world's most prolific gospel song writers. He has published more than two thousand compositions, and this only represents a part of his work as a musical composer. He has edited in part, or wholly, fourteen books, three of which have been for male voices and one for female voices.

His songs are known around the world and are to be found in most of the hymn and tune books both in America and the British Empire. Some other hymns he composed music for are: "My Anchor Holds," "Trust and Obey" and "Saved by the Blood."

Dr. Towner is also, by common consent, one of the greatest evangelistic singers and leaders. His ability to lead a great chorus and congregation was unsurpassed. As a teacher of gospel song and composer he stands in the front rank.

Stanza one connects the singer with the Romans 5:20b passage. These words remind the sinner that despite what has happened in the person’s life, God’s grace has wiped away all sin through the death of Jesus.

Verse One

“Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.”

Romans 5:20 

“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Adam’s sin has brought disastrous consequences for the entire human race, but God’s grace is more than able to cancel those consequences. His gift is not just the opposite of Adam’s sin; it is far more. Adam’s one act of sin brought condemnation and death, but God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ brings justification and life, even though people have repeated Adam’s sin countless times. As humankind’s representative head, Adam brought death. As humankind’s new representative head, Christ brings life. 

In stanza two, Johnston uses the imagery of the “sea waves cold” to describe the effects of sin. While the sinner may indeed be drowning in the vast, bleak, cold ocean with no hope in sight, the grace poured out on the sinner is greater and deeper than anything else and it leads the sinner “to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Verse Two

“Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.”

1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Commentary: This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by His death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to destruction. But those who receive the gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see more of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ crucified, than in all His other works.

In the third stanza Johnston asks a rhetorical question to which she answers with the imperative statement, “Look! There is flowing a crimson tide.” From the blood of the Lamb that is freely poured on the sinner, that person becomes as pure and bright as snow.

Verse Three

“Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

Brighter than snow you may be today.”

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: An inner cleansing of the heart and mind is what the Lord desires of all His people, which should be reflected in outward deeds of righteousness and social justice. All Scripture is for our learning and there is much that Christians in the body of Christ can learn from Isaiah. Trusting God's Word, we have to admit our guilt, renounce our idolatry, repent and recognize that we are sinners who need a Savior.

Stanza four is the invitation to the sinner.

Verse Four

“Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?”

Romans 10:9

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: This applies to all who cast themselves upon God in faith, Jews and Gentiles alike. Before people can believe this message, they must hear it. Therefore, Christians must be sent to proclaim it. Not all will accept the message, but Christians must proclaim it nevertheless. And the message they proclaim is the Good News concerning Jesus Christ.

Refrain

“Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!”

Kenneth W. Osbeck, author of the devotional, Amazing Grace, wrote: “God’s grace is not merely a sufficient grace; it is an abounding grace—‘that you will abound in every good work.' His grace provides our eternal salvation as well as the enablement to know life more abundantly. Matchless grace indeed!"

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

T. Wes Moore Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Wholesomewords.org; by Jacob Henry Hall

By His Grace . . .

As the Deer

 

I love wildlife so it’s no wonder I love this hymn. I especially enjoy seeing deer. There’s just something special about sitting and watching them. They are my favorite animal to photograph. During spring and summer I leave my house at first light and drive around looking for fawn. It’s one of my favorite activities. I love seeing buck too. They are so elusive; when I see one it thrills my heart. I have many pictures of deer from my drives.

Martin J. Nystrom is both the author and composer of this hymn. Most of us were born before this hymn was written.

Nystrom was born in 1956 in Seattle, Washington, to a mother who grew up in the Christian Reformed Church; his father was brought up in the Evangelical Covenant Church.

“As the deer” was written 1982. The hymn is based on Psalm 42:1, which states, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” A relatively recent hymn when you consider how long ago some of the most popular hymns were written, it has risen in prominence to stand alongside the well-beloved classics we know and sing today.

Nystrom tells this story: “In 1984 I was a school teacher in Seattle, and since I had the summer off, I decided to go back to Bible College, but only for the summer term. I headed for Dallas, Texas and Christ For the Nations Institute. A young woman I was interested in would be there. Little did I know what was about to happen to me, especially with all that I would be exposed to and the worship emphasis of the school.”

He discovered that things were not going to work out with the young woman, and he was stuck in a program during a very hot Dallas summer.  He was broke and heartbroken.

"I had a roommate at the institute who was a very vibrant Christian.” Nystrom continues. “He challenged me to go on a Fast - a period of time when a person refrains from eating solid food in order to give time to the reading of the Bible and to prayer.

“I took up the challenge, and on the 19th day of the Fast I found myself sitting at a piano trying to write a song. I was simply playing chord progressions when I noticed a Bible on the music stand of the piano. It was open to Psalm 42. My eyes fell on the first verse of that chapter... “As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.” After reading the verse I began to sing its message, right off the page.

“I wrote the first verse and the chorus of the song, pretty much straight through. The whole of the adventure was completed in a matter of minutes. I then repeated the song I had just written. I wanted to seal it in my mind.

"I had no intention of showing the song to anyone. It was to be for my own devotional time with the Lord. However, before leaving the school to go back to Seattle, I did share it with one person, Dave Butterbaugh. He introduced it to the students of the school and it became a favorite.

"Since that introduction of the song, it has been translated into several languages and is often sung in other countries. Orchestras have used it. It has been sung in unusually different styles."

Marty continued to write songs and travel extensively, teaching in worship conferences. In Korea in the 1990s, he attended one such conference and as he walked into the stadium 100,000 Koreans were singing "As the Deer."

Marty is now married and father of two sons and lives in the Seattle area. He has a degree in music education from Oral Roberts University and has taught music in a wide variety of settings. He has written over 120 songs that have been released by publishers of Christian praise and worship music.

More recently he has served as a song development manager for Integrity Music, for whom he has written more than seventy songs. Nystrom is featured as worship leader on five Integrity “Hosanna” tapes. He also gives presentations at numerous conferences throughout the world.

His best known song is the worship chorus, 'As the Deer.' He notes that, “I seem to write songs when I am not purposefully trying to write one.”

Verse One

“As the deer panteth for the water,

So my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my heart’s desire,

And I long to worship Thee.”

Psalm 42:1

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

Biblehub, The Treasury of David: David was heartsick. Ease he did not seek, honor he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul; he viewed it not merely as the sweetest of all luxuries, but as an absolute necessity, like water to a [deer] (stag). Like the parched traveler in the wilderness, whose skin bottle is empty, and who finds the wells dry, he must drink or die - he must have his God or faint. His soul, his very self, his deepest life, was [unquenchable] (insatiable) for a sense of the Divine Presence. As the hart [panteth] so his soul prays.

Verse Two

“I want You more than gold or silver,

Only You can satisfy.

You alone are the real joy giver,

And the apple of my eye.”

1 Peter 1:8

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The matter of a Christian’s joy, is the remembrance of the happiness laid up for him . . . Happy are those whose hearts the Holy Spirit sets on this inheritance. God not only gives His people grace, but preserves them unto glory. Every believer has always something wherein he may greatly rejoice; it should show itself in the countenance and conduct . . . Seek then to believe Christ’s excellence in Himself, and His love to us . . . this will kindle such a fire in the heart as will make it rise up in a sacrifice of love to Him.

Verse Three

“You’re my friend and You are my brother,

Even though You are a King.

I love You more than any other,

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: "Friend" is another relative term such as ‘abiding’ or "fellowship." A person can be a casual friend, a close friend, or an intimate friend depending on his or her love and loyalty. Likewise, all believers are God’s friends in one sense, but abiding believers are His friends on a deeper level because they seek to obey Him consistently . . . A good servant also obeys his master. What then is the difference between a servant of God and an intimate friend of God? Jesus proved to His disciples that they were His friends as well as His servants, but, pointing out, that a master shares his plans with his friends but not with his slaves. He had told them what was coming thereby treating them as His friends. Abraham and Moses, the only Old Testament characters whom God called His friends, also received revelations of God’s plans from Him.”

Refrain

“You alone are my strength, my shield,

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart’s desire,

And I long to worship Thee.”

 I chose Psalm 104 for the last Scripture in this study. It’s a long psalm with 33 verses. Charles Spurgeon said: "The Psalm gives an interpretation to the many voices of nature and sings sweetly both of creation and providence. The poem contains a complete cosmos: sea and land, cloud and sunlight, plant and animal, light and darkness, life and death, are all proved to be expressive of the presence of the Lord.”

Sit back and enjoy the beauty of this psalm that brings glory and honor to our God:

Psalm 104: 1-33

“Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at Your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of Your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place You assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of His work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate — bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted. There the birds  make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for small mammals. He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening. How many are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there. All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When You hide your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works—He who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord.”

  

I am indebted to the following resources:

Centrevillepress.com

Staugustine.com

Umcdiscipleship.org

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

By His Grace . . .