He Lives

It was in 1932 when Alfred Ackley, writer of “He Lives,” was preaching at an evangelistic meeting, and a Jewish student said: “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” This bothered Ackley and it stayed on his mind. He would soon write the glorious hymn “He Lives” that believers enthusiastically sing with all their hearts.

Using the Scriptures to witness to him, Pastor Ackley began to explain to this young man how that Jesus was alive. “He Lives! I tell you; He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.”

Alfred Ackley was born on January 21, 1887.  His father was a Methodist Minister who provided a strong foundation for him in music. He showed great musical potential as a child.

He was tutored by his musician father and then went to New York City to study and on to the Royal Academy of Music in London. There, Ackley played the piano and cello and showed great promise as a composer.

After completing his musical training, Ackley returned to the states to attend Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1914. He never stopped writing hymns and music.

As a young man, he began composing songs.  He felt called to the pastorate and grad­u­at­ed from West­min­ster The­o­log­ic­al Sem­in­ary. He pastored churches in Pennsylvania and California.  Even while pastoring churches, he never stopped composing and writing.  He often composed with his brother, Bentley DeForest Ackley.  Ackley even worked alongside evangelist Billy Sunday for a while.

But the question that young Jewish student asked continued to bother him. One year after waking early to prepare his Easter Sunday message, he was amazed to hear on the radio a famous liberal preacher in New York say, “Good morning. It’s Easter! You know, folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I am concerned, His body could be as dust in some Palestinian tomb. The main thing is His truth goes marching on!”

Ackley’s anger at this was displayed as he threw the radio across the room, yelling, “It’s a lie!” causing his wife to hear the commotion. His wife checked on him and encouraged him to pen out his frustration in the form of music.

During the Easter service that morning, Ackley preached with strength and urgency about the reality of Christ’s Resurrection. But later that night, he continued to dwell on his Jewish friend’s words and the sermon on the radio.

In his study, Ackley re-read the Resurrection account from Mark’s Gospel in the Bible, and soon the words began to pour from him. A few minutes later, he put music to the words, and answered the question, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”

The author compiled hymnals and songbooks for the Rodeheaver Publishing Company, a leading publisher of gospel songs. He is credited with 1,500 hymns, gospel songs, and children's songs, as well as secular and glee songs. In recognition for his contributions to sacred music, Ackley was awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Alfred Ackley died on July 3, 1960 in Los Angeles, California.

Alfred’s older brother, Bentley, was also a renowned gospel songwriter, who traveled with the Billy Sunday/Homer Rodeheaver evangelistic team as pianist. Bentley later became a composer and editor with the Rodeheaver Publishing Company, writing over 3,000 hymns and gospel songs.

Verse One

“I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him, He's always near.”

1 Timothy 4:10

“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: This is to be the great motto of the Christian life. Even as David challenged Goliath in the name of the living God, so our trust in the living God empowers us to accomplish great things for His glory . . .  “But our God, in whom we trust, is a God with a great, warm, loving heart, a thinking God, an active God, a working, personal God, who comes into the midst, of this world, and does not leave it to go on by itself. Although he is a stranger in the world, even as His people also are strangers and foreigners by reason of the revolt that men have made against their Lord and Sovereign, yet it is still His world, and He is still in it.” (Spurgeon)

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: The "agonizing" battle that Timothy and Paul are engaged in is not pointless either because Paul has confidence that he is fighting "the good fight" and that his captain is "the Living God” . . . who is the Savior of all men, especially of them that believe: The God in whom he and Timothy have placed their trust is the Savior of the world and, in a special sense, the Savior of believers.

Verse Two

“In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And tho' my heart grows weary I never will despair;

I know that He is leading thro' all the stormy blast,

The day of His appearing will come at last.”

Matthew 10:29

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: He encourages them not to fear by two striking considerations: first, that God takes care of sparrows, the smallest and least valuable of birds; and, secondly, by the fact that God numbers even the hairs of the head. The argument is that if He takes care of birds of the least value, if He regards so small a thing as the hair of the head, and numbers it, He will certainly protect and provide for you. You need not, therefore, fear what man can do to you.

John 10:3

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: A good Shepherd is well acquainted with His flock; He knows them by name - He takes care to acquaint Himself with the spiritual states of all those that are entrusted to Him. He speaks to them concerning their souls, and thus getting a thorough knowledge of their state . . . He leads them out of themselves to Christ, out of the follies, diversions, and amusements of the world, into the path of Christian holiness: in a word, He leads them, by those gentle yet powerful persuasions that flow from a heart full of the Word and love of Christ, into the kingdom and glory of His God.

Verse Three

“Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.”

Hebrews 13:6

“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: The sentiment is beautiful and full of consolation. What can we fear if we have the assurance that the Lord is on our side, and that He will help us? Man can do no more to us than He permits, and of course no more than will be for our own good; and under whatever trials we may be placed, we need be under no painful apprehensions, for God will be our protector and our friend.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: The Lord in the infiniteness of His power, wisdom, and goodness, is a real, present, universal, and permanent help against all trouble, and for all supplies in all cases, and at all times, to every one of them

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: the Lord is my helper; He is able to help, and does help, when none else can; He has promised to be the helper of His people; He has laid help for them on Christ, who is mighty; and He has helped him as man, that He might help them; He has set up a throne of grace for them to come to, where they may find help; and experience confirms the truth of this assertion

Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: The expression of such confidence begins with the statement that, “Jehovah is my strength,” of which Adam Clarke declared the meaning to be, “I have the fullest persuasion that God hears, will answer, and will save me.”

Refrain

“He lives, He lives Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!”

2 Timothy 1:12

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Though I suffer for the Gospel, I am not ashamed of the Gospel; nor am I confounded in my expectation; His grace being at all times sufficient for me. For I know whom I have believed — I am well acquainted with the goodness, mercy, and power of Christ; and know that I cannot confide in Him in vain.

Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Margin, “trusted.” The idea is, that he understood the character of that Redeemer to whom he had committed his eternal interests, and knew that he had no reason to be ashamed of confiding in Him. He was able to keep all that he had entrusted to His care, and would not suffer him to be lost.

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: Notice Paul does not say "I know what I believe," but more personally, "I know Him whom I have been trusting." "Trusting all along," Lenski adds, "and trusting still.”

He Lives!  Revelation 1:18: “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Thedestinlog.com, Pam Griffin

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Umcdiscipleship.org, C. Michael Hawn

Fcclondonky.com/: Jonathan Carmack

Imperfectdust.com/Danielle Stringer

Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

By His Grace . . . 

The Old Rugged Cross

 

George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, into a very modest family. His father, a tavern owner and later a coal miner, passed away during George’s teen years, leaving the youth with tremendous family responsibilities. To that end, he became a coal miner in Iowa, where he spent his childhood.

Bennard's conversion at the age of 22 through the evangelistic ministry of the Salvation Army in Canton, Iowa, led to his ordination and commissioning as a traveling evangelist in 1898. He later became a Methodist evangelist.

In 1910, stepping out in faith, Bennard resigned and began his own itinerant ministry. During the early years of his ministry, Bennard was “praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in Christianity.”

Consequently, he spent many hours in study, prayer and meditation, until he could say, “I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption.”

The first verse of “The Old Rugged Cross” was completed by Bennard during a series of meetings in Albion, Michigan. Several months later, the remaining three verses were completed in Pokagon, Michigan, where Bennard was leading meetings at a local church.

Sometime later, during a series of meetings, Bennard was heckled incessantly by several youth. Troubled by their disregard for the gospel, he again turned to Scripture to reflect on the work of Christ on the cross.

He returned home with a renewed meaning of the cross etched in his mind and heart. He took the song manuscript and placed it on the kitchen table. In a very short span of time, he was able to rewrite the stanzas with each word falling perfectly into place. He asked his wife to join him in the kitchen. She did so and he joyfully sang his new song. She was very pleased, expressing that the song was great.

He then sent the manuscript to Charles H. Gabriel, in Chicago, asking if he would write the proper chords with the melody line. Gabriel did so and returned the document with the message, “You will hear from this song.”

Bennard traveled with Ed. E. Mieras to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where they held evangelistic meetings at the Friends Church. He performed the song in its entirety for the sponsoring pastor and his wife, Rev. Leroy and Ruby Bostwick, in the living room of the parsonage. The Bostwicks were moved to tears and incorporated the song in the revival service on June 7, 1913. Bennard and Mieras performed it as a duet before a full house with Pearl Torstensen Berg, the organist for the meeting.

Today, that same church building, originally a hops barn, is owned by the non-profit “Old Rugged Cross Foundation” and welcomes thousands of visitors annually. The Friends Community Church in Sturgeon Bay has a garden with a cross on it to commemorate the first singing of the hymn.

The hymn quickly spread throughout the region and came to the attention of the evangelist Billy Sunday, who frequently utilized it in his meetings. Two years later, Bennard sold the copyright of the song for a payment of $500, forgoing future royalties. Upon the renewal of the copyright 28 years later, he received a final payment of $5,000.

Bennard said what I have since heard countless other songwriters say, “I really didn’t write it. I was merely the instrument God used.”

Bennard traveled throughout the Midwest, holding revivals until his retirement in Reed City, Michigan, more than 30 years later.

Loved for its lilting melody and words of personal trust in the cross of Christ, "The Old Rugged Cross" remains one of the most cherished hymns of the Christian faith. It has since been included in numerous hymnals and recordings by contemporary artists.

Verse One

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame.

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,

For a world of lost sinners was slain.”

 

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Biblestudytools.com, Clarence L. Haynes Jr: The demonstration of His love leads to this one great act, Christ dying for you and me. The greatest treasure of heaven was sacrificed to win back the worst sinners on earth. That’s why if you ever run into a place where you question just how much God loves you, simply remember the cross. This is the forever reminder and proof of how great God’s love is for you.

Bibleref.com: Christ took that judgment for our sin on Himself on the cross. He suffered and died in our place. Paul insists that we should take that act as evidence of God's great love for us . . . He died for us before we'd ever done anything to deserve that love. It takes love to die willingly for someone else, even if they're a "good" person. But we, those who have been saved, were still sinners, and we weren't going to improve. In truth, we had no hope of avoiding God's judgment before Jesus took it for us.

Verse Two

“Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me.

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,

To bear it to dark Calvary.”

John 19:17

“Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: According to Roman custom Jesus carried His cross from the place of sentencing to the place of crucifixion, the Place of [the] Skull. Before the Romans put a man on a cross, they put the cross on the man, forcing him to carry it in a public procession intended to draw attention to the condemned, his crime, and his fate . . . one could say that the Romans perfected it and made it an institution. It was the form of execution reserved for the worst criminals and the lowest classes. Crucifixion was designed to make the victim die publicly, slowly, with great pain and humiliation. This was the form of death God ordained for Jesus to die, and the death that He submitted to in the will of God.

Verse Three

“In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

Such a wonderful beauty I see.

For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.”

Micah 7:18

“Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: That is, there is no God like unto Thee . . . That pardons the offences of His people . . . Because it is His nature to delight in pardoning the penitent and communicating blessings . . . He will deliver us not only from the guilt, but also from the power of them, so that they shall not have dominion over us.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: All who find pardoning mercy, cannot but wonder at that mercy; we have reason to stand amazed, if we know what it is. When the Lord takes away the guilt of sin, that it may not condemn us, he will break the power of sin I will not have dominion over us.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: Thus the Lord has taken the sins of his people off of them, and laid them on Christ, and he has bore them, and carried them away . . . never to be seen and remembered anymore.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: That same God who is the author of peace, the giver of peace; and who has sent, for the redemption of the world, the Prince of peace; may that very God sanctify you wholly; leave no more evil in your hearts than His precepts tolerate evil in your conduct. The word wholly means precisely the same as our phrase, to all intents and purposes. May He sanctify you to the end and to the uttermost, that, as sin hath reigned unto death, even so may grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse Four

“To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,

Its shame and reproach gladly bear.

Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I’ll share.”

Romans 8:18

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: This coming glory will not only be revealed to us, but it will actually be revealed in us. God has put this glory into the believer right now. In heaven the glory will simply be revealed.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: In the light of eternity we should view the cost of suffering with Jesus Christ now as insignificant in view of the glory that lies ahead for us . . . Our glorification is the third and final aspect of our salvation in which God will deliver us from the presence of sin forever.

Refrain

“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown."

2 Timothy 4:8

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

Workingpreacher.org, Mark Throntveit: The Lord will give Paul and other believers the crown of righteousness. This reward is not Paul’s to seize. He didn’t earn it, necessarily; but his faithful service buttresses his confidence that the Lord will prove faithful in providing it to all who faithfully await His appearance.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Lifeway.com/Eric Wyse

Umcdiscipleship.org

Independentbaptist.com

Staugustine.com

En.wikipedia.org

Godtube.com

Pbnradio.com, MatureLivingMagazine

By His Grace . . . 

No One Cared For Me Like Jesus

The story behind “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” is as touching and powerful as that of many classic Christian hymns. This song originated from the personal struggles of its writer, Charles Frederick Weigle.

Weigle composed this hymn in 1932. He was a Baptist evangelist, preacher, and music teacher from Lafayette, Indiana. He composed over 1,000 gospel songs throughout his life. However, this particular hymn stands out for its story and meaning.

Weigle was born November 20, 1871, into a German-Lutheran family. He had four brothers and seven sisters. His father and mother were devout Christians who led them in family prayer and daily Bible reading.

Weigle gave his life to Christ during a series of revival meetings at the Methodist Church of Lafayette, where his parents had been attending. Several of his friends were also converted during that time. Charles, one of his last peers to give his life to Christ, already had a reputation as a troublemaker. As he tells the testimony of his salvation, he likens that little church to a courtroom where his sins lay bare before the judge. Confronted with the evidence, he had little hope. Then Jesus stepped forward to take the penalty for his sins.

Charles’ testimony exposes a nasty young boy’s temper. He recounts the story of seriously injuring an older brother with a knife, knocking down one of the neighbor boys with a bat, and attacking someone with a heavy dinner bell so severely the victim had to be carried home. His parents warned him many times about the consequences of his violent bursts of anger.

His conversion experience pits a forceful recognition of condemnation of sin with awareness of his deep need for forgiveness. Under conviction of sin, he pictured one after another of those he’d wronged who pronounced him guilty.

Weigle illustrates Jesus’ work in his heart as one who knew the hopeless situation of his soul but as a loving and caring advocate before the high court of heaven. The question came to young Charles within his soul, “Did you do all these things?” Charles responded, “Yes, sir, and a lot of things they don’t even know about.”

Charles’s ministry often took him away from home, leaving his wife and daughter alone. One day, Weigle came home to find his wife had decided to leave him. The strain proved too much for their marriage. She no longer wanted to live the life of an evangelist’s wife. His wife took their daughter and indulged in a life of worldly pleasure.

Weigle fell into a deep depression. The hymn’s title poignantly reflects the despair he’d experienced in those years when he wondered if anyone truly cared. Ministry and songwriting halted. His faith was sorely tried. Three years later, his wife died.

Weigle speaks of coming through years of misery and struggling with a stronger desire to give everything to the Lord. His ministry and music resumed. Overwhelming abundance and joy returned. As he marveled at the blessings of the Lord one day, Charles sat down at his piano and said aloud, “Jesus, no one ever cared for me like You.” He then wrote the song expressing this heartfelt reality in only twenty minutes.

The words of the title had proven true in the life of Charles Weigle. Jesus’ kindness and compassion of Jesus throughout Weigle’s darkness became more real than he had ever known. He found Christ’s love deeper than any he had ever experienced.

It is not difficult to sing when all is going well. But often God gives a special song to one of his hurting children during the night times of their life. Believers find new joy in their nights of sorrow and despair, and they discover a greater closeness with their Lord during times of deep need. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while on the barren island of Patmos; John Bunyan completed the classic "Pilgrim’s Progress” while in the Bedford jail; Beethoven composed his immortal 9th Symphony while totally deaf; and Fanny Crosby once remarked, “If I had not lost my sight, I could never have written all the hymns God gave me.”

Verse One

“I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,

Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;

I would tell you how He changed my life completely -

He did something that no other friend could do.”

John 15:12-14

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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 know to you.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Jesus described the measure and quality of His love for them, to use as a pattern for the way they [disciples] should love each other. His love is complete and of surpassing greatness, laying down His life . . . Friendship with Jesus can’t be disconnected from obedience to His commands . . . they were friends because Jesus didn’t keep secrets from them, but openly revealed what He had received from God the Father.

James 2:23

“And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: He was loved by God with an everlasting love, who showed acts of friendship to him; called him by His grace, and blessed him with spiritual blessings , , , and Abraham readily complied with His will, and not only yielded a cheerful obedience to His commands, but enjoined his children after him to observe them.

Verse Two

“All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;

All my heart was full of misery and woe;

Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,

And He led me in the way I ought to go.”

Deuteronomy 33:27a

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The everlasting arms of God are underneath, as a foundation for everything. Everything in the universe, all creation, the church, the individual believer – all built on a firm foundation, with God’s everlasting, strong, arms underneath. They are also underneath the believer as a place of rest. Our Father’s arms are a perfect pillow, giving perfect rest. We can put all our weight on these strong arms, leaning heavily on them . . . “They are arms which always were, and always will be; arms which always were strong, and never will grow faint or weary; arms which once outstretched will never be drawn back again; arms which once engaged for the defense of the chosen people shall never cease to work for their good world without end. Not failing arms, nor dying arms, but everlasting arms, are underneath the saints of God.” (Spurgeon)

Verse Three

“Every day He comes to me with new assurance,

More and more I understand His words of love;

But I'll never know just why He came to save me,

Till someday I see His blessed face above.”

Hebrews 10:22

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Being fully persuaded that God will accept us for the sake of His Son, and that the sacrificial death of Christ gives us full authority to expect every blessing we need.

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The “full assurance of faith” means unwavering confidence; a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. Christians are permitted to come thus because God has revealed Himself through the Redeemer as in every way deserving their fullest confidence. No one approaches God in an acceptable manner who does not come to Him in this manner. 

Refrain

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus;

There's no other friend so kind as He;

No one else could take the sin and darkness from me -

O how much He cared for me!”

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: God concerns Himself in the affairs of His servants, and in whatsoever befalls them, and takes diligent care that no good thing be wanting to them.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Whatever things concern a follower of God, whether they be spiritual or temporal, or whether in themselves great or small, God concerns Himself with them; what affects them affects Him; in all their afflictions He is afflicted. He who knows that God care for him, need have no anxious cares about himself. This is a plain reference to Psalms 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee. He will bear both thee and thy burden."

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The meaning is, that we are to commit our whole cause to Him. If we suffer heavy trials; if we lose our friends, health, or property; if we have arduous and responsible duties to perform; if we feel that we have no strength, and are in danger of being crushed by what is laid upon us, we may go and cast all upon the Lord; that is, we may look to Him for grace and strength, and feel assured that He will enable us to sustain all that is laid upon us. He will enable us to bear with ease what we supposed we could never have done; and the burden which He lays upon us will be light.

This hymn became popular almost immediately after it appeared in the 1930s, but even more so after the rich bass-baritone of George Beverly Shea sang it at Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings. Thousands heard the song. Captivated by the words highlighted in the title, the simple truth resonated with its hearers.

The words of the title proved true in the life of Weigle. Each of us can confidently say: no one cared for me like Jesus.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Faithpot.com

Christianity.com

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

By His Grace . . .

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Daniel Webster Whittle was named after the great American politician Daniel Webster who was greatly admired by Whittle's father. His father had heard Daniel Webster, the great statesman, make a stirring speech. Daniel Webster in this speech said, "It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment --- independence now and independence forever!"

Those words would inspire Whittle’s parents to name him after Daniel Webster in hopes that he would become a great leader in the fight for freedom. His mother is said to have been a godly woman who instilled in him and his three brothers’ strong Christian principles. He was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, on November 22, 1840. Little is known of his childhood.

Whittle worked as a cashier for Wells Fargo Bank as a teenager and into his early twenties. He surrendered his life to the Lord one night while acting as a night watchman there. He went into the vault, got down on his knees and surrendered his life to the Heavenly Father to use as He would.

He became the Sunday School Superintendent at the Greater Tabernacle Cathedral in Chicago where he would meet his wife, Miss Abbie Hanson, and marry her before he left for the war. It would be a year before they would be reunited.

He enlisted in the military and eventually advanced to the rank of Major. He was sent to fight in the American Civil War in 1861. During the war he was seriously injured and captured as a prisoner of war. Due to the injury, he had to have his arm amputated above the arm.

Coming from a religious family one would have expected these incidents to have made him seek the Lord more. Sad to say, that did not happen to him; he had lost his passion for Christianity. However, his mother shed tears and prayed with him before he left for the war, and “she placed a New Testament in a pocket of the haversack that she’d arranged for me.” he said.

This little New Testament would play a vital part in his rededication. It was while he was in the POW camp that out of boredom he began to search for something to read. He found in his personal effects the little New Testament that his mother had placed there. He read through the New Testament in a matter of days and started through it again.

While a POW, a nurse begged Major Whittle to go pray with a boy that was dying, and the nurse admitted being touched by watching Whittle read the Scriptures and not cuss. The nurse admitted the boy was a wicked man, to which Whittle replied that he was also wicked.

The soldier had been pleading with the nurse to pray for him before he died. They found out, that the dying soldier had strayed away from the Lord and had no relationship with Him but wanted to come back to Christ. Daniel told the nurse that he wasn’t the right person to pray for the young man. Finally, after much pleading, Daniel decided to go and pray with this young man.

Here, in Major Whittle’s own words, is what took place that night: “I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few broken words I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed earnestly for the boy. He became quiet and pressed my hand as I prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior, used me to lead him to trust Christ’s precious blood and find pardon. I hope to meet him in heaven.”

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” was given the tune name EL NATHAN. The tune was written by a prominent music publisher and gospel song composer, James McGranahan (1840-1907). He was a talented and cultured American musician who was gifted with a rare tenor voice and studied for years with eminent teachers who urged him to train for a career in opera.

McGranahan was friends with Philip Bliss who was an accomplished hymnist. Bliss encouraged McGranahan to “Strike into the grain to reap for the Master . . . to reap for the Master . . . to reap for the Master!” McGranahan was touched by Bliss’ words and decided to yield his life, his talents, his all to the service of His Savior.

Verse One

“I know not why God’s wondrous grace,

To me He hath made known.

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love,

Redeemed me for His own.”

Job 40:4

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to You? I put my hand over my mouth.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: "Instead of being able to argue my [Job] cause, and to vindicate myself as I had expected, I now see that I am guilty, and I have nothing to say.” Job had argued boldly with his friends. He had, before them, maintained his innocence of the charges which they brought against him, and had supposed that he would be able to maintain the same argument before God. But when the opportunity was given, he felt that he was a poor, weak man; a guilty and miserable offender.

Luke 1:68

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to his people and redeemed them.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: God's plan of redemption was foreordained in the heavenly council chambers before the foundation of the world. The promises made to Eve and Abraham about their Seed, the covenant God made with His people Israel through Moses, the promise that a Man would sit on the throne of David eternally, and the numerous prophecies that foretold of the coming Messiah, were all to be accomplished. And John, the son of Zacharias the priest, was to be forerunner to the prophesied Messiah who was to visit and accomplish redemption for His people, Israel . . . May we be those whose faith is established and anchored to the facts of Scripture, for when faith is founded on God's unchangeable Word, we know ALL that He has promised WILL be completed, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse Two

“I know not how this saving faith,

To me He did impart.

Nor how believing in His Word,

Wrought peace within my heart.”

John 10:9

“I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.”

Bibleref.com: Sheep pens in Jesus' era were constructed with a single, narrow opening. This allowed the gatekeeper to control which animals got in or out. When allowed by the gatekeeper, shepherds could call to their flocks, who would respond only to the voice of their own shepherd. Jesus has used this well-known concept to explain His ministry to His religious critics . . . Jesus claims "I am the door." So far as this metaphor goes, Jesus means He is the gatekeeper—the person who controls access to the pen. He is also the opening, the single means by which the sheep can move in or out . . . It is only through the door that the sheep can "be saved."

Verse Three

“I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing men of sin.

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.”

Acts 5:32

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: We obey GOD; and therefore God gives us this Spirit, which is in us a fountain of light, life, love, and power. The Spirit of God is given to the obedient: in proportion as a man who has received the first influences of it; is obedient to those influences, in the same proportion the gifts and graces, the light, life, and power, of the Holy Spirit, are increased in his soul.

Verse Five

“I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair.

Nor if I walk the vale with Him,

Or meet Him in the air.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The delay should be regarded as a proof of His forbearance, and of His desire that all human beings should be saved . . . God’s nature is benevolent, and He sincerely desires the eternal happiness of all, and His patience toward sinners “proves” that He is willing that they should be saved.

Refrain

“But I know Whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able,

To keep that which I’ve committed,

Unto Him against that day.”

2 Timothy 1:12

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: A spiritual knowledge of Christ is necessary to faith in Him . . .  Knowledge and faith go together: they that truly know Christ, believe in Him, and the more they know Him, the more strongly do they believe in Him . . . and they know Whom they trust, what an able, willing, suitable, and complete Savior He is. This knowledge which they have of Him, is not from themselves, but from the Father, who reveals Him to them, and in them; and from Himself, who gives them an understanding that they may know Him.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

The Hymns Facebook Page

DianaleaghMatthews.com

churchchoirmusic.com

By His Grace . . .

Take My Life and Let It Be

 

Frances Ridley Havergal was born into an Angelican family, at Astley in Worcestershire, December 14, 1836. Her father, William Havergal was a clergyman, writer, composer, and hymnwriter and her mother was Jane Head Havergal. Her brother, Henry Havergal was a priest in the Church of England and an organist. As a child she was called “little quicksilver.”

Havergal's spiritual journey began early in her life, memorizing passages in the Bible at age 4 and writing verse by age seven. When she was five, her family moved to the Rectory of St. Nicholas, Worcester. Her mother died when Francis was eleven.

In August 1850, she entered Mrs. Teed's school, who had a strong influence on her. In the following year she says, "I committed my soul to the Savior, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment." A short sojourn in Germany followed. Havergal's scholastic acquirements were extensive, embracing several modern languages, together with Greek and Hebrew.

Havergal is described as a brilliant pianist and said to have such a lovely voice, that she was often in demand as a soloist. But she considered all her talents to be only loans from the Lord, to be used in His service.

In 1860, she left Worcester upon her father resigning the Rectory of St. Nicholas and resided at different periods in Leamington and at Caswell Bay, Swansea, broken by visits to Switzerland, Scotland, and North Wales. She led a quiet life, supporting the Church Missionary Society.

Although hymnist Havergal, thirty-six, had served the Lord for years, she felt something was missing in her Christian experience. Then one day in 1873, she received a little book called "All For Jesus," which stressed the importance of making Christ the King of every corner and cubicle of one’s life. Soon thereafter she made a fresh and complete consecration of herself to Christ.

She said, "it lifted my whole life into sunshine, of which all I had previously experienced was but as pale as passing April gleams, compared with the fullness of summer glory."

Years later when asked about it she replied: “Yes it was on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873. I first saw clearly the blessedness of true consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light, and what you see you can never un-see. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness.”

This is the account in her own words about writing this hymn:

"I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley House]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, ‘Lord, give me all in this house!’ And He just did. Before I left the house everyone had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, etc.; then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with 'Ever, Only, ALL for Thee!'"

In the years that followed, Frances frequently used this hymn in her own devotions, especially every December 2, on the anniversary of her consecration.

On another occasion she was praying over the stanza that says, “Take my voice and let me sing, always only for my King.” She felt she should give up her secular concerts. Her beautiful voice was in demand, and she frequently sang with the Philharmonic. But from that moment, her lips were exclusively devoted to the songs of the Lord.

The line “Take my silver and my gold” was also sincerely phrased. At one time Havergal gathered together her many fine pieces of jewelry and other family heirlooms and shipped them to the church missionary house to be used for evangelizing the lost. Nearly fifty articles were sent with “extreme delight.”

Havergal died at the age of 42. She is buried in the far western corner of the churchyard at St Peter's Parish Church, Astley, together with her father, and near her sister, Maria V. G. Havergal.

Her hymns praised the love of God, and His way of salvation to this end, and for this object, her whole life and all her powers were consecrated. She lived and spoke in every line of her poetry.

Verse One

“Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in endless praise,

Let them flower in endless praise.”

Psalm 90:14

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Those who love God should therefore seek God’s wisdom, so that they might use their short lives in the best way possible. Since the psalmist wants to live his life wisely, he asks for God’s help. Then sorrow will be replaced by joy, and his life will become one of fruitful service for God. 

Verse Two

“Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee,

Swift and beautiful for Thee.”

Romans 10:15

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

Bibleref.com: How will anyone call on Jesus – express saving faith in Him – unless they first believe in Him? And how will they believe in Him if they never hear about Him? And how will they hear about Him if nobody preaches the gospel to them?

Verse Three

“Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee,

Filled with messages from Thee.”

Hebrews 13:15

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Praise that pleases God is the fruit of our lips, more than just thoughts directed towards God. It is spoken out unto the Lord, either in prose or in song. “What proceeds from the lips is regarded as fruit, which reveals the character of its source, as the fruit of a tree reveals the nature of the tree.” (Guthrie) Loving hearts must speak . . . so, then, we are to utter the praise of God.

Verse Four

“Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose,

Every power as Thou shalt choose.”

Psalm 119:72

“The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: The word of God, the doctrines contained in it; which, coming out of the mouth of God, and spoken by Him, carries in it weight and authority, commands reverence and respect; and ought to be considered as indeed the Word of God and not of man; and so of more value than thousands of pieces of gold and silver; or, as the Targum, than a thousand talents of gold and silver. The truths and doctrines of the Word of God are not only comparable to gold and silver for their intrinsic worth and value; but are preferable to them, and to be received before them.

Verse Five

“Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne,

It shall be Thy royal throne.”

Romans 7:25

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Paul looks outside of himself and unto Jesus. As soon as he looks to Jesus, he has something to thank God for – and he thanks God through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . Through means that Paul sees Jesus standing between himself and God, bridging the gap and providing the way to God. Lord means Paul has put Jesus in the right place—as Lord and master of his life.

Proverbs 4:4

"Then he taught me, and He said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: The writer instructs his sons by passing on teaching that his own father once gave him. The main point of that teaching was that, more than anything else, he was to get wisdom and insight. The first step in getting wisdom is the desire for it. Once obtained, wisdom will bring into the life of the possessor a new measure of security, honor and beauty. By living according to God’s wisdom, people will have true freedom, and at the same time will be morally upright. In addition to reminding themselves constantly of the instruction they have received, the disciples must keep their heart and mind, their whole inner person, in a state of moral and spiritual good health.

Verse Six

“Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee,

Ever only, all for Thee.”

John 12:26

“Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Let us search whether Christ be in us; let us beg Him to make us indifferent to the trifling concerns of this life, that we may serve the Lord Jesus with a willing mind, and follow His holy example.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: For my Father, with whom I am one in nature and essence, will honor those that are My servants; so great a thing it is to be a servant to the Son of God. The Father will honor those that are so, and especially those who are so in suffering, with eternal life and felicity.

Havergal is referred to as the "consecration poet," as she strived to live a life fully dedicated to Christ and to those she saw in any physical or spiritual need. May we all strive to live such a life.

 I am indebted to the following resources:

GodTube Staff

Dianaleighmatthew.com

En.wikipedia.org

Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, Special Edition

Havergaltrust.com

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

By His Grace . . .

Great is Thy Faithfulness

God wants to show us His faithfulness, but sometimes we have to surrender all before He can prove that He is faithful to us. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” was written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm as a “testament to God’s faithfulness through his very ordinary life.”

Chisholm was born in 1866 in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky to James Washington and Lucy Jane Chisholm.  He received his education in a little country school in the area, but they were dirt poor, and he never got past an elementary school education.  However, by the age of sixteen he was a teacher in that same school.

Five years later, at the age of twenty-one, he was the associate editor of his hometown weekly newspaper, The Franklin Advocate.

In 1893, Henry Clay Morrison, the founder of Asbury College and Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, held a revival meeting in Franklin. Chisholm attended and accepted Jesus Christ into his heart and life.

Chisholm married the love of his life: Catherine Vandervere. It seemed to Thomas that his path in life was now set, that he would be a minister for the remainder of his days, but the following years showed him otherwise. Indeed, GOD had a different plan.

Morrison persuaded Chisholm to move to Louisville where he became editor of the Pentecostal Herald. Though he was ordained a Methodist minister in 1903, he served only a single, brief appointment at Scottsville, Kentucky, due to ill health. He moved to Vineland, New Jersey, where he opened an insurance office.

Chisholm had a difficult early adult life. His health was so fragile that there were periods of time when he was confined to bed, unable to work. Between bouts of illness, he would have to push himself to put in extra hours at various jobs in order to make ends meet.

Financial troubles also emerged in the years that followed as a result of multiple healthcare costs. In the midst of a health and financial crisis, many individuals would have become angry with God, but Thomas had exactly the opposite reaction.

Chisholm’s view on life remained optimistic. He found great comfort in the Scriptures and in the fact that God was faithful to be his strength in time of illness and weakness, and to provide his needs. One of his favorite scriptures was: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

In 1923, he picked up a pen and a piece of paper to create his most well-known poem, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." While away from home on a mission’s trip, Chisholm often wrote to one of his good friends, William Runyan, a relatively unknown musician. Several poems were exchanged in these letters. Runyan found Chisholm’s poem so moving that he decided to compose a musical score to accompany the lyrics. It was “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and was published in 1923.

For several years, the hymn got very little recognition, until it was discovered by a Moody Bible Institute professor who loved it so much and requested it sung so often at chapel services, that the song became the unofficial theme song of the college.

Chisholm retired in 1953 and spent his remaining years in a Methodist retirement community in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Verse One

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou has been, Thou forever wilt be.”

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: With [God] there is no variableness, not even the appearance of turning. He is always the same, at all seasons of the year, and in all ages; there is no change in His character, His mode of being, His purposes and plans. What He was millions of ages before the worlds were made, He is now; what He is now, He will be countless millions of ages.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: God is unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in Him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: The changelessness of Christ means that the system He delivered is also changeless. The gospel is the same; the plan of redemption is changeless; Christ’s rules for the church, its government, doctrine, purpose, and hope — all, like Christ who gave them, are changeless. His wise and benevolent purpose for humanity, His great love, His assurance of the resurrection and life eternal — all are the same. Why? He is the same yesterday and today, yea and forever!

Verse Two

“Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest;

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above.

Join with all nature in manifold witness,

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.”

Isaiah 43:12

“I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: God's people know the power of His grace, the sweetness of His comforts, the kind care of His providence, and the truth of His promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what He has wrought in them, and done for them, and may lead others to know and believe His power, truth, and love

Psalm 145:4-5

“One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty—and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Those who know God’s greatness should meditate upon it and proclaim it to others. Not only is God great, but He is full of goodness, showing covenant faithfulness to His people and gracious love to people everywhere. Those who have tasted His love should show their gratitude by praising Him and telling others of His mighty works. In this way they will help spread His rule to the lives of others

Verse Three

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

John 6:27

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the whole Bible:  The supply of your spiritual wants; that which supports, and nourishes, and strengthens the soul; the doctrines of the gospel, that are to a weak and guilty soul what needful food is to the weary and decaying body . . . To everlasting life -- The strength derived from the doctrines of the gospel is not exhausted. It endures without wasting away. It nourishes the soul to everlasting life. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Refrain

“Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

Lamentations 3:22-23

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

This verse in Scripture is well known and quoted often for every occasion and need. The verse before this one is not as well-known yet provides us with the promise of God needed in our lives: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE.” (Lamentations 3:21} David Guzik on Enduringword.com said: “For perhaps the first time in the book [of Lamentations], hope is allowed. Having sunk low in his soul, Jeremiah now remembered something that started hope within. ‘In a magnificent expression of faith in the unfailing mercies of God, the writer looks to the distant future with renewed hope.’ (Harrison) The LORD’s mercies . . . was one of the things Jeremiah remembered. He remembered that as beat down and defeated the people of Jerusalem and Judah were, they were not yet completely consumed. There was still a remnant . . . with a promise of restoration. Wherever God leaves life, He leaves hope.”

While many enduring hymns are born out of a particular dramatic experience, this was simply the result of the author’s “morning by morning” realization of God’s personal faithfulness in his daily life. And that’s how each of us will discover God’s faithfulness—day by day.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Staugustine.com

IndependentBaptist.com, Connie Ruth Christiansen

The Hymns Facebook page; hymncharts.com

Umcdiscipleship.com, Dr. Hawn

By His Grace . . .

All That Thrills My Soul

Thoro Harris was one of the most prolific African American hymn writers of the early 20th century. And yet, there is very little known of his life and early years. This hymn, “All That Thrills My Soul” has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it many years ago.

Harris was born in Washington, D.C. in March 1874, eleven years after the Civil War ended. He was one of two children born to Joseph Dennis Harris, an African American physician and Elizabeth W. Harris, referred to as “Head of Household” in the census.

Though nothing is known of his childhood and youth, the catalog of Howard University, 1889, lists Harris as a fourth-year student in the Normal Department, a Post Graduate student, and a special student.

We pick up his career in Michigan at Battle Creek College, a Seventh-Day Adventist school. He was a gifted songwriter and after graduation moved to Boston to enter the publishing business.

In 1902 he produced the first of dozens of hymnals and song collections. In those days Christian publishing was big. As a result of his success, Harris was invited by Peter Bilhorn to move to Chicago. Bilhorn was active in Christian music, working with evangelists Billy Sunday, D.L. Moody, and George Stebbins.

In the windy city, Harris took a job as an editor at the Glad Tidings Publishing Company, promoting the songs of many other hymn writers through the songbooks he edited. Harris became known for walking around Chicago to sell books from canvas bags he carried around.

Since the 1930s his compositions have been consistently selected for publication in hymnals of various denominations. Harris died on March 27, 1955, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

This hymn has survived with strength beyond any of Harris’ other songs. The chorus boldly proclaims “All that thrills my soul is Jesus; He is more than life to me. And the fairest of ten thousand, In my blessed Lord I see.”

Verse One

“Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,

By His presence all divine?

True and tender, pure and precious,

O how blest to call Him mine!”

Psalm 16:11

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Christ, being raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and was received up into glory into His Father's presence, and is glorified with His glorious presence, and which fills His human nature with fullness of joy, with a joy unspeakable and full of glory; and as it is with the Head it will be with the members in some measure; now the presence of God puts more joy and gladness into them than anything else can do; but as yet their joy is not full; but it will be when they shall enter into the joy of their Lord, into the presence of God in the other world then everlasting joy will be upon their heads;

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: With these words David seemed to understand that the benefits of this life commitment to God were received in both this life, and the life beyond. The path of life is something enjoyed by the believer both now, and in eternity. God gives us eternal life to enjoy as a present gift, extending into eternity. This was a joy David could experience now, but also ultimately receive when in the more immediate presence of God.

Verse Two

“Love of Christ so freely given,

Grace of God beyond degree,

Mercy higher than the heaven,

Deeper that the deepest sea!”

Ephesians 1:5-7

“He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves."

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: God has not given us these things because we are worthy creatures, but to the praise of the glory of His grace. We are accepted by God simply because we trust in Jesus. It is because we are in Christ that the Father looks at you and me as if He were looking at Jesus. The moment we believed, we were baptized into Christ's Body and became a child of God and a member in His Church.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: The ultimate goal of predestination and election is that believers will contribute to the praise of the magnificence of God’s undeserved favor that He has shown toward humankind. This grace was "freely bestowed" or "given" in the sense that the elect need do nothing to merit it. It comes to us through Jesus Christ, described here as the Beloved of the Father. Since God loves His Son, believers who are in Christ can rejoice that we too are the objects of God’s love.

Verse Three

“What a wonderful redemption!

Never can a mortal know,

How my sin, though red like crimson,

Can be whiter than the snow.”

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.

Enduringword.com David Guzik: Redemption always implies a price being paid for the freedom that is purchased . . . Here the price is [Christ’s] blood, showing that the blessing from the Father and the Son comes not only from a divine decree, but it also comes according to His righteousness and holiness

Verse Four

“Every need His hand supplying,

Every good in Him I see;

On His strength divine relying,

He is all in all to me.

Philippians 4:19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

Bibleref.com: Paul was confident that God would meet their needs because they were generous in their giving . . . Their needs would be met through Christ, the one who made and controlled all things. They would never lack with Christ as their provider. From the earliest pages of Scripture, God has been known as the Lord who will provide, affirmed by Peter as well. As Paul noted in 2 Corinthians 9:10, "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."

Verse Five

“By the crystal flowing river,

With the ransomed I will sing,

And forever and forever,

Praise and glorify the King.”

Psalm 30:12

“That my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent . . .  Meaning either his soul, the more noble and glorious part of him; or the members of his body, his tongue, which is the glory of it, and with which he glorified God; see . . . O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever; to the end of life, as long as he had a being, and to all eternity.

Bibleref.com: Every restoration to fellowship with the Lord is an occasion to sing praise to the Lord and to thank Him. Perhaps David was looking forward to eternity when he wrote, "forever." For the believer, praise to the Lord doesn't end when his physical life ends; it continues in heaven on a grander, purer scale.

Psalm 86:12

“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: He would give his whole heart to God. He would allow nothing to divide or distract his affections. He would withhold nothing from God . . . Not merely in the present emergency; but I will do it ever onward - even to eternity. The meaning is, that he would in all cases, and at all times - in this world and in the world to come - honor God. He would acknowledge no God but him, and he would honor him as God.

Refrain

“All that thrills my soul is Jesus,

He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand,

In my blessed Lord I see.”

Is there anything else that thrills your soul like Jesus? Is He more than anything else you could have in this life? He is the reason for your life. He is your All in All. He gives you purpose. He gives you joy. He holds you up at all times. He brings rest and peace to your soul.

May we earnestly desire to have all that thrills our souls be Jesus! May we view all this world has to offer as paling in comparison to walking with our Savior.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Apostolicarchives.com

hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk

Dianaleaghmatthew.com

Blueletterbible.org

Lights4God.wordpress.com, William E. Richardson

Hymntime.com

By His Grace . . .

Bless His Holy Name

King David wrote Psalm 103, and it has inspired countless other writers to meditate on all the blessings of following God. Andraé Crouch based this hymn on the opening of the psalm: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

Many well-known Christian hymns are inspired by the Word of God, and combined with music creates a powerful worship offering to God. That’s what Crouch did.

Andraé Crouch is a name most of us our familiar with. He was born in 1942 to Benjamin and Catherine Crouch. His father was a minister in the Church of God in Christ and pastored Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California. When he was young, Crouch's parents owned and operated Crouch Cleaners, a dry-cleaning business, as well as a restaurant business in Los Angeles, California. In addition to running the family's businesses, Crouch's parents also had a Christian street-preaching ministry and a hospital and prison ministry.

When Crouch was 11, his father was invited to speak for several weeks at a small church as a guest preacher. Crouch's father and the church's congregation encouraged the young boy to play during the services. At the piano, Crouch found the key in which the congregation was singing and started to play. After this, Crouch honed his piano-playing skills and, in time, wanted to write his own music. When he was 14 years old, he wrote his first Gospel song.

Crouch went on to sing, write and record hymns sung by many today, including “My Tribute,” and “Through It All.” He served as senior pastor of the church founded by his parents and died in 2015 at age 72 following a heart attack.

Crouch was an incredible, well-recognized influence in gospel music. Among other honors, he won seven Grammy’s, six Dove Awards, an Oscar nomination, inclusion in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Crouch’s musical talent graced movies like “The Color Purple” and “The Lion King.” He was a musical channel for worship within the church and a bridge for Christ outside the church walls.

King David, in the second verse of Psalm 103, lists many benefits including forgiveness for sin, healing from disease, redemption from hell, love, mercy, goodness, and renewal of our youth “like the eagle’s.” David praises God for working righteousness and justice for all the oppressed, making Himself known, extending merciful grace, and remaining slow to anger and steadfast in love. From this psalm, we understand that God removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west and that God is compassionate to us as a father shows compassion to his children.

King David reflects on the fleeting nature of a single life. Our “days are like grass” compared to God’s steadfast love that endures from “everlasting to everlasting” and a righteousness that extends to the next generation. Psalm 103 is one of the much-loved Old Testament psalms about God's love and compassion for his people.

Refrain

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

 

Hebrew 12:28

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary:  Let us get and hold fast that gracious temper of soul, whereby they are made true, wise, believing, loving, humble, and obedient subjects to the laws of this Kingdom, and manifest it by worshipping, serving and walking with God in this world.

Psalm 84:12

“Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Blessed in every respect; his lot is a happy one; happy in Thy friendship; happy in being permitted to worship Thee; happy in the blessings which religion scatters along his path here; happy in Thy sustaining grace in times of trial; happy in the support given in the hour of death; happy in the eternity to which he is going. Oh, that all men would try it, and experience in their own souls the happiness - the real, genuine, deep, permanent joy - of trusting in God; of believing that there is a God; of confiding in His character; of leaning on Him in every situation in life; of relying on His mercy, His grace, and His faithfulness, in the hour of death!

Verse One

“He has done great things,

He has done great things,

He has done great things,

Bless his holy name!”

Job 37:5

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Great things in creation, the nature and causes of which lie greatly out of the reach of man; and which he rather guesses at than knows, and still less comprehends. Great things in providence; in sustaining all creatures and providing for them; and in the government of the world, and in His dispensations in it; His judgments being unsearchable, and His ways past finding out: and great things in grace; as the salvation of sinners by Christ, and the conversion of their souls by His Spirit; and even what is known of them is known but in part and very imperfectly.

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Elihu felt that Job needed a good dose of the greatness of God. It was good advice wrongly applied to Job’s situation. Elihu did rightly understand that the mighty sound of thunder seems to man to be the voice of God. “Nor is there a sound in nature more descriptive of, or more becoming, the Majesty of God, than that of thunder. We hear the breeze in its rustling, the rain in its pattering, the hail in its rattling, the wind in its hollow howlings, the cataract in its dash, the bull in his bellowing, the lion in his roar; but we hear God, the Almighty, the Omnipresent, in the continuous peal of thunder! This sound, and this sound only, becomes the majesty of Jehovah.” (Clarke)  He does great things which we cannot comprehend: This is a repetition of Elihu’s theme that Job had transgressed the line that separates God and man, and that Job presumed to know more than he could or should know from God. In this, Elihu was partially correct.

Psalm 71:19

“Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: In His work of creation; in His providence; in His manifested mercy toward His people. He had done things so great as to show that He could protect those who put their trust in Him.

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: In nature, in forming the world out of nothing, and in upholding all creatures in their beings; in providence, in governing the world, and ordering all things in it for the best, and to answer the wisest purposes; in grace, in the salvation of lost sinners by Christ; in the justification of them by His righteousness; and in the atonement and pardon of their sins, through His blood and sacrifice; in the regeneration of them by His grace; in making and performing exceeding great and precious promises, and in giving them eternal life;

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The psalmist considered the greatness of God, first in that His righteousness was of a different order than that of men, very high above that of men; and then, that God is the one who has done great things, beyond what men can do. The surpassing righteousness and power of God made him ask, O God, who is like You?

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

En.wikipedia.org

Christianity.com, Lori Stanley Roeleveld

Godtube.com

By His Grace . . .