Today’s song comes from Emu Music, one of my favourite modern music groups. Any song that exhorts us to consider Christ must be worthy of our attention, right? Enjoy this one!
Consider Christ, the source of our salvation That he should take the penalty for me Though he was pure, a lamb without a blemish; He took my sins and nailed them to the tree
Refrain My Lord and God You are so rich in mercy Mere words alone are not sufficient thanks; So take my life, transform, renew and change me That I might be a living sacrifice
Consider Christ, that he could trust his Father In the garden of Gethsemane Though full of dread and fearful of the anguish; He drank the cup that was reserved for me. [Refrain]
Consider Christ, for death he has defeated; And he arose, appeared for all to see. And now he sits at God’s right hand in heaven Where he prepares a resting place for me. [Refrain]
Today’s hymn comes from Andrew Reed (1787-1862), a Congregational Church minister in London. It was published with the subheading: ‘Hymn to the Spirit. Sung on the late Day appointed for Solemn Prayer and Humiliation in the Eastern District of the Metropolis’. The ‘late day’ was Good Friday, 17 April 1829, a day set aside by the London Board of Congregational Ministers to promote ‘a revival of religion in the British Churches’1. Enjoy!
Spirit divine, attend our prayer, And make this house your home; Descend with all your gracious pow’r; O come, great Spirit, come!
Come as the light; to us reveal Our emptiness and woe, And lead us in those paths of life Where all the righteous go.
Come as the fire and purge our hearts Like sacrificial flame; Let our whole soul an off’ring be To our Redeemer’s name.
Come as the dove, and spread your wings, The wings of peaceful love; And let your Church on earth become Blest as the Church above.
Spirit divine, attend our prayer; Make a lost world your home; Descend with all your gracious pow’r; O come, great Spirit, come!
Today’s hymn is a gospel song from William MacKay (1839-1885), a Scottish physician who became a Presbyterian minister. Although raised by a devout Christian mother, he departed from what he was taught whilst studying, until one encounter in the hospital. The below is longer than I usually share, but I was so touched by the story I couldn’t keep it to myself. May the Lord use all our circumstances to revive us to love him always!
When asked the dying patient if there was anyone to notify he “shook his head. His only wish was to see his landlady, [and] requested his landlady send him, ‘The Book….’. I went to see him on my regular visits at least once a day. What struck me most was the quiet, almost happy expression constantly on his face. After the man died, some things about the deceased’s affairs were to be attended to in my presence. “What shall we do with this?” asked the nurse, holding up a book in her hand. “What kind of book is it?” I asked. “The Bible of the poor man. As long as he was able to read it, he did so, and when he was unable to do so anymore, he kept it under his bed cover.” I took the Bible and—could I trust my eyes? It was my own Bible! The Bible which my mother had given me when I left my parents’ home, and which later, when short of money, I sold for a small amount. My name was still in it, written in my mother’s hand. With a deep sense of shame I looked upon the precious Book. It had given comfort and refreshing to the unfortunate man in his last hours. It had been a guide to him into eternal life, so that he had been enabled to die in peace and happiness. And this Book, the last gift of my mother, I had actually sold for a ridiculous price. Be it sufficient to say that the regained possession of my Bible was the cause of my conversion.”1
We praise thee, O God, For the Son of thy love, For Jesus who died And is now gone above.
Refrain Hallelujah, thine the glory! Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, thine the glory! Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God! For Thy Spirit of light, Who hath shown us our Saviour, And scattered our night. [Refrain]
All glory and praise To the Lamb that was slain Who hath borne all our sins And hath cleansed every stain. [Refrain]
All glory and praise To the God of all grace, Who has bought us; and sought us, And guided our ways. [Refrain]
Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled With fire from above. [Refrain]
Today’s hymn comes from Arthur Abner Luther (1891-1960) a congregational minister form the US. This hymn is a simple, yet needed reminder that Jesus Christ will never leave you nor forsake you. I hope this encourages you today; enjoy!
Earthly friends may prove untrue, Doubts and fears assail; One still loves and cares for you, One who will not fail.
Refrain: Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails; Heav’n and earth may pass away, But Jesus never fails.
Tho’ the sky be dark and drear, Fierce and strong the gale; Just remember He is near, And He will not fail. [Refrain]
In life’s dark and bitter hour Love will still prevail; Trust His everlasting pow’r Jesus will not fail. [Refrain]
Today’s hymn comes from George Askin (died 1816). Little is know about this Irish minister other than he made his way to the United States by 1801 as an adult Methodist where he was given a charge as a trial itinerate preacher. Regardless of the lack of personal information about the author, this hymn is a great one to reflect on before the Lord’s Day. Let us go to gather with God’s people ready to be changed, to be encouraged, and to worship. Enjoy both renditions below!
Brethren, we have met to worship And adore the Lord our God; Will you pray with all your power, While we try to preach the Word? All is vain unless the Spirit Of the Holy One comes down; Brethren, pray, and holy manna Will be showered all around.
Brethren, see poor sinners round you Slumb’ring on the brink of woe; Death is coming, hell is moving, Can you bear to let them go? See our fathers and our mothers, And our children sinking down; Brethren, pray and holy manna Will be showered all around.
Sisters, will you join and help us? Moses’ sister aided him; Will you help the trembling mourners Who are struggling hard with sin? Tell them all about the Saviour, Tell them that He will be found; Sisters, pray, and holy manna Will be showered all around.
Let us love our God supremely, Let us love each other, too; Let us love and pray for sinners, Till our God makes all things new. Then He’ll call us home to heaven, At His table we’ll sit down; Christ will gird Himself, and serve us With sweet manna all around.
Today’s hymn comes from John Newton, one of my favourite hymn writers. He has the skill of being able to tell so accurately truths and prayers that flood my heart; I hope you can say with him today that you have learned to be content; enjoy!
Fierce passions discompose the mind, As tempest vex the sea; But calm content and peace we find, When, Lord, we turn to thee.
In vain by reason and by rule, We try to bend the will; For none but in the Savior’s school Can learn the heavenly skill.
Since at his feet my soul has sat, His gracious words to hear, contented with my present state, I cast on him my care.
‘Tis he appoints my daily lot, And will do all things well; Soon shall I leave this wretched spot, And rise with him to dwell.
In life his grace shall strength supply, Proportioned to my day; In death I still shall find him nigh, To bear my soul away.
Thus I, who once my wretched days In vain repinings spent; Taught in my Saviour’s school of grace, Have learned to be content.
Today’s hymn comes from New Scottish Hymns, a band based in Scotland, writing new hymns for the church. They explain “the great hymnwriters of the past used poetry to express a living, breathing theology that revealed a deep love for God, His church, and the good news about Jesus Christ. We want to follow in their footsteps and produce new hymns and worship songs for God’s people”. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one!
Were I to cross from land to land And sail afar by sea Descend the depths or climb the heights My Lord remains with me
Before the blood ran in these veins The days ordained for me Were written in Your book O Lord Before I came to be
I grieve to hear Your enemies Speak hatred, Lord, of You Long though they scheme with ill-intent Their days are numbered too
How precious are Your thoughts to me How countless, Lord, they are More than the shores have grains of sand More than the skies have stars
Come search and test this heart O Lord, Dispel each anxious thought And lead me onward evermore To tread the path I ought
How blessed I am, so bound with love Surrounded, yet so free In doubt or blessing, life or death My Lord remains with me
Today’s hymn was published by Hope Publishing Company in 1976 and it has been attributed to John Piper; whether or not it is the John Piper we are all thinking of I’m not sure since I couldn’t find any information anywhere to verify this. Nonetheless, this is a great hymn, based on Genesis 1:3, proclaiming God’s creative power in speaking into existence the things that did not; enjoy!
“Let There Be Light! “Thus spoke the Lord; Thus we were made and thus restored. Christ’s conquering Word created all; Our shinning hope: his sovereign call.
Now Christ has summoned us to speak His mighty Word, though we are weak. So let our feet be Gospel-shod, And all the power belong to God.
Christ speaks and freedom is conferred; He reigns triumphant in his Word To frustrate Satan’s fatal might, And lead his captives into light.
Come, broken hearted, take good cheer; Come, crushed in spirit, do not fear. The Lord who reigns in blinding light Dwells with the lowly and contrite.
Now let us set the world aflame; Proclaim the glory of his name! His light be everywhere adored, And every creature own him Lord!
Today’s hymn comes from beloved English poet and hymn writer William Cowper (1731-1800), and he provides here an exhortation to pray; does anymore need to be said? Enjoy this one!
What various hindrances we meet In coming to the mercy seat! Yet who that knows the worth of pray’r But wishes to be often there!
Pray’r makes the darkened clouds withdraw; Pray’r climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love; Brings ev’ry blessing from above.
Restraining pray’r, we cease to fight; Pray’r makes the Christian’s armour bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.
Have you no words? Ah, think again: Words flow apace when you complain, And fill a fellow-creature’s ear With the sad tale of all your care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent To heav’n in supplication sent, Our cheerful song would oft’ner be, “Hear what the Lord hath done for me!”
Today’s hymn comes from George W. Robinson (1838-1876) and it was published in 1876 after Robinson’s death and an English pastor and revivalist put the words to music. Robinson was born in Cork, Ireland, and was educated at Dublin’s Trinity College and New College in London. He was as a Congregational Minister in churches in Ireland and England. Enjoy!
Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace that love to know, Spirit sent from Christ above, thou dost witness it is so. O this full and precious peace from his presence all divine; in a love that cannot cease, I am his and he is mine.
Heav’n above is deeper blue, earth around is sweeter green, that which glows in ev’ry hue Christless eyes have never seen. Birds in song his glories show, flow’rs with richer beauties shine since I know, as now I know, I am his and he is mine.
Taste the goodness of the Lord: welcomed home to his embrace, all his love, as blood outpoured, seals the pardon of his grace. Can I doubt his love for me, when I trace that love’s design? By the cross of Calvary I am his and he is mine.
His forever, only his– who the Lord and me shall part? Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart. Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline, but while God and I shall be, I am his and he is mine.
Hymn of the Day 