Today’s hymn is written by Isaac Watts, a prolific hymn writer from the early 18th century. I hope this hymn puts into words your love for the Lord. Enjoy!
My God, the spring of all my joys, The life of my delights, The glory of my brightest days, And comfort of my nights!
In darkest shades, if Thou appear, My dawning is begun: Thou art my soul’s bright morning star, And Thou my rising sun.
The opening heavens around me shine, With beams of sacred bliss, If Jesus shows His mercy mine, And whispers I am His.
My soul would leave this heavy clay, At that transporting word; Run up with joy the shining way, To meet my dearest Lord.
Today’s song is by Sovereign Grace and I’m sure was sung by many of your churches on Reformation Sunday – the Sunday before Martin Luther historically nailed his 95 thesis to the doors of a Wittenberg church on 31 October 1517. This song unashamedly celebrates the 5 tenants of the Reformation: we come to God by faith alone, a gift of God’s grace alone, given to us through the work of Christ alone, with all authority given to God’s word alone, to the glory of God alone. Gloria!
Your Word alone is solid ground, The mighty rock on which we build; In every line the truth is found And every page with glory filled.
Through faith alone we come to You; We have no merit we can claim. Sure that Your promises are true, We place our hope in Jesus’ name.
Refrain Gloria, gloria, glory to God alone; Gloria, gloria, glory to God alone.
In Christ alone we’re justified; His righteousness is all our plea; Your law’s demands are satisfied; His perfect work has set us free.
Refrain
By grace alone we have been saved; All that we are has come from You. Hearts that were once by sin enslaved Now by Your pow’r have been made new.
Following on from yesterday’s hymn, today’s song is a contemporary rewrite of Great is Thy Faithfulness by Sara Groves. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one!
Morning by morning, I wake up to find The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine Season by season, I watch Him, amazed In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways All I have need of, His hand will provide He’s always been faithful to me
I can’t remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain I can’t remember one single regret In serving God only and trusting His hand All I have need of, His hand will provide He’s always been faithful to me
This is my anthem, this is my song The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long God has been faithful, He will be again His loving compassion, it knows no end All I have need of, His hand will provide He’s always He’s always been faithful He’s always been faithful to me
The author of today’s beloved hymn is Thomas Chisholm (1866-1960). Though he was not offered a formal education, became a schoolteacher in the same schoolhouse that he was educated. He later became associate editor of the local newspaper and moved on to be an editor of the Pentecostal Herald in Louisville, Kentucky. At the age of 26 in 1983 Thomas became a Christian, and in 1903, he was officially ordained a minister; he was however forced to limit his years of service due to his poor health. Throughout his life, Thomas wrote hundreds of poems. One such poem was based in Lamentations 3:22-23 where it says, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”. Thomas eventually sent his work to a fellow minister and friend, William Runyan who configured a musical setting for the poem, which is the hymn we have today1. Enjoy!
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 hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
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!
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.
Refrain
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!
Today’s hymn comes from Judson Van de Venter (1855-1939). He was a teacher in a public school who later left his field of teaching and become an evangelist. Speaking of this hymn he said “The song was written while I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio, and in the home of George Sebring (founder of Sebring Campmeeting Bible Conference . . .). For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became and evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, he caused me to sing.”1. There are many versions of this song to choose from, however why not use this as a prayer to God instead? Enjoy!
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.
Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savoour, wholly Thine; Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.
Refrain
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.
Today’s song is from Darby Hughes. The album which this song comes from has as its subtitle Isaiah 42:3 “a bruised reed shall He not break”. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one!
Light of eternity, painter of the skies Once robed in majesty, he set them aside For the selfish and the sinner, ruined by their own pride O how humble, the heart of Christ
Gentle, compassionate, breaking not the bruised Kindling carefully the life left in fumes All you weary, heavy laden, there is mercy for you Come and rest in the heart of Christ
Refrain There is no Saviour like mine Holy, yet humble and kind So I leave my heart Here in the heart of Christ
Often in vanity I have gone astray Foolishly hungering for pleasure and praise Though I wander from my Shepherd, still He calls me by name Come return to the heart of Christ
Refrain
Lord, let this attitude live in all I do Serving in lowliness, the cross in my view Like the Master, loving others is my aim and pursuit Let my heart be the heart of Christ
Today’s hymn is from the Lutheran Service Book and written by Stephen P. Starke. Starke had always had a heart for hymns and played hymns out of The Lutheran Hymnal and read through the hymnal to pass the time before Sunday services at a young age. He has written more than 175 hymns inspired by music and the Scriptures. This hymn is a versification of the Te Deumlaudamus.” Te Deum laudamus is Latin and means “God, We Praise You.” It is “traditionally sung on occasions of public rejoicing. Enjoy!
We praise You and acknowledge You, O God, to be the Lord, The Father everlasting, by all the earth adored. To You all angel powers cry aloud, the heavens sing, The cherubim and seraphim their praises to You bring: “O holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth; Your majesty and glory fill the heavens and the earth!”
The band of the apostles in glory sing Your praise; The fellowship of prophets their deathless voices raise. The martyrs of Your kingdom, a great and noble throng, Sing with the holy Church throughout all the world this song: “O all-majestic Father, Your true and only Son, And Holy Spirit, Comforter— forever Three in One!”
You, Christ, are King of glory, the everlasting Son, Yet You, with boundless love, sought to rescue ev’ryone: You laid aside Your glory, were born of virgin’s womb, Were crucified for us and were placed into a tomb; Then by Your resurrection You won for us reprieve— You opened heaven’s kingdom to all who would believe.
You sit in splendid glory, enthroned at God’s right hand, Upholding earth and heaven by forces You command. We know that You will come as our Judge that final day, So help Your servants You have redeemed by blood, we pray; May we with saints be numbered where praises never end, In glory everlasting. Amen, O Lord, amen!
Today’s hymn was written by Evangelist George Bennard 1873–1958. In his own words he wrote of thIs hymn: “in the year 1913, Rev. George Bennard, then living at Albion, Michigan, and making a special study of the Cross in God’s plan of redemption, seemed strangely moved to compose this song. Soon after he began to write it he went to New York state to conduct some special evangelistic services, and after getting settled continued to work on it, but seemed to make but little headway, so for the time-being laid it aside. He returned to Michigan to conduct another series of meetings and it was during this time that he was called to pass through a rather trying experience at which time he caught a new vision of the Cross and began to see its deeper meaning. As he visualized the Saviour of men going outside the City he loved so well, bearing the Cross on which He was to give His matchless life on the skull-shaped hill for a sin-cursed and ruined world, he was able to finish the song1. Enjoy!
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
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.
O 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.
Refrain
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he’ll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.
In 1541 the Turkish army was threatening to take Vienna and the German rulers called for special prayers for safety from these Islamic forces. Martin Luther responded to this request by writing the original German text (“Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort”) for a prayer service in Wittenberg. Convinced that the church was threatened not only by the Turkish army of Sultan Suleiman but also by the Roman Catholic Pope, Luther originally made reference to the Pope and Turkish army, but it was later altered to all enemies of the Word. The English translation by Catherine Winkworth was published in her Chorale Book for England in 18631. A great hymn to meditate on during a time of persecution and suffering. Enjoy!
Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word; curb those who by deceit or sword would seek to overthrow your Son and to destroy what he has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, your pow’r make known, for you are Lord of lords alone; defend your Christendom that we may sing your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth, send peace and unity on earth; support us in our final strife and lead us out of death to life.
Today’s hymn is by Isaac Watts. This hymn is written to the tune of “Old Hundredth”, the same tune that we commonly use to sing “All People That On Earth Do Dwell” and The Doxology. Enjoy reading this one as a reminder of the use of the Law and the blessing of the Gospel.
The Law commands and makes us know What duties to our God we owe; But ’tis the gospel must reveal Where lies our strength to do His will.
The Law discovers guilt and sin And shows how vile our hearts have been; The gospel only can express Forgiving love and cleansing grace.
What curses doth the Law denounce Against the man that fails but once! But in the gospel Christ appears, Pard’ning the guilt of num’rous years.
My soul, no more attempt to draw Thy life and comfort from the Law. Fly to the hope the Gospel gives; The man that trusts the promise lives.
Hymn of the Day 