Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word

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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the church was threatened not only by the Turkish army of Sultan Suleiman but also by the Roman Catholic Pope, Luther originally made reference to the Pope and Turkish army, but it was later altered to all enemies of the Word.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.

1hymnary.org/text/lord_keep_us_steadfast_in_your_word

The Law Commands and Makes Us Know

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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.

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I Trust In Jesus

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Today’s song comes from Celtic Worship, a worship group from Scotland who especially use instruments native to Scotland in their music, including the powerful sound of bagpipes, whistles and fiddle. Enjoy!

Lord, for what now do I wait?
Christ, the hope, that shall not fade
Take my heart, this flesh, these bones
Trust I place in You alone
Light the path on darkest day
Guide my feet if I would stray
Grant me strength that I may roam
Ever homeward to Your throne

Refrain
I trust in Jesus and only Jesus
He is the Name above all names
My Strength and Refuge, my Firm Foundation
And I will worship Him forevermore

Mountains of the earth may fade
Yet the love of God remains
Storms will rage and oceans rise
Christ alonе will turn the tide
Resting in His loving arms
This, I know with all my hеart
Death can never take it’s hold
Grace will never let me go

Refrain

Come all sons and daughters rise
Lift your praise beyond the skies
Every nation now proclaim
Glory to our risen King
Bow before His righteousness
Christ is Lord our tongues confess
Justified the sinner saved
Glorify His Holy name, we glorify Your names

Refrain

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Heal us, Emmanuel, Hear Our Prayer

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Today’s hymn is from William Cowper (1731-1800), included in the Olney Hymns under the title of “Jehovah-Raphi, I am the Lord that healeth thee, Exod. xv.” The text draws upon different healing narratives found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. With Cowper suffering with his own trials, including an attempted suicide, I’m sure at least part of this hymn is a plea on behalf of himself. Enjoy!

Heal us, Emmanuel, hear our prayer; 
we wait to feel thy touch; 
deep-wounded souls to thee repair, 
and Saviour, we are such. 

Our faith is feeble, we confess 
we faintly trust thy word; 
but wilt thou pity us the less? 
Be that far from thee, Lord! 

Remember him who once applied 
with trembling for relief; 
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried; 
“O help my unbelief!” 

She, too, who touched thee in the press 
and healing virtue stole, 
was answered, “Daughter, go in peace: 
thy faith hath made thee whole.” 

Like her, with hopes and fears we come 
to touch thee if we may; 
O send us not despairing home; 
send none unhealed away. 

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Blest Be The Tie That Binds

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An orphan at the age of twelve, John Fawcett (1740-1817) became apprenticed to a tailor and was largely self-educated. He was converted by the preaching of George Whitefield at the age of sixteen and began preaching soon thereafter. In 1765 Fawcett was called to a small, poor, Baptist country church in Wainsgate, Yorkshire. Seven years later he received a call from the large and influential Carter’s Lane Church in London, England. Fawcett accepted the call and preached his farewell sermon. The day of departure came, and his family’s belongings were loaded on carts, but the distraught congregation begged him to stay. When love and tears prevailed, and Dr. Fawcett sacrificed the attraction of a London pulpit to the affection of his poor but devoted flock, he wrote this hymn. Fawcett continued to serve in Wainsgate and in the nearby village of Hebden Bridge for the remainder of his active ministry1. Enjoy!

Blest be the tie that binds 
our hearts in Christian love; 
the fellowship of kindred minds 
is like to that above. 

Before our Father’s throne 
we pour our ardent prayers; 
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
our comforts and our cares. 

We share our mutual woes, 
our mutual burdens bear, 
and often for each other flows 
the sympathizing tear. 

When we are called to part, 
it gives us inward pain; 
but we shall still be joined in heart, 
and hope to meet again. 

This glorious hope revives 
our courage by the way; 
while each in expectation lives 
and waits to see the day. 

From sorrow, toil, and pain, 
and sin, we shall be free; 
and perfect love and friendship reign 
through all eternity. 

1hymnary.org/text/blest_be_the_tie_that_binds

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I Run to Christ

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Today’s hymn is modern one written by Chris Anderson. Chris served as a church planter and pastor for 25 years before pivoting to full-time missions. Currently, Chris travels as Senior VP for Global Opportunities with Biblical Ministries Worldwide preaching, teaching, recruiting, and championing the cause of the Great Commission wherever and however he can. He’s written more than 30 hymns including “His Robes for Mine”. Chris is the lead editor and a contributing author of the Gospel Meditations devotional series, and he has recently published his third full-length book with Church Works Media, Theology That Sticks: The Life-Changing Power of Exceptional Hymns1. Enjoy!

I run to Christ when chased by fear
And find a refuge sure.
“Believe in me,” His voice I hear;
His words and wounds secure.

I run to Christ when torn by grief
And find abundant peace.
“I too had tears,” He gently speaks;
Thus joy and sorrow meet.

I run to Christ when worn by life
And find my soul refreshed.
“Come unto Me,” He calls through strife;
Fatigue gives way to rest.

I run to Christ when vexed by hell
And find a mighty arm.
“The Devil flees,” the Scriptures tell;
He roars, but cannot harm.

I run to Christ when stalked by sin
And find a sure escape.
“Deliver me,” I cry to Him;
Temptation yields to grace.

I run to Christ when plagued by shame
And find my one defense.
“I bore God’s wrath,” He pleads my case—
My Advocate and Friend.

1churchworksmedia.com/chris-anderson/

I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art

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Today’s hymn has been attributed to the Swiss Reformer John Calvin, however this may not be accurate. The translator of the hymn is mostly the work of Elizabeth L. Smith and published in 1869. Smith was the daughter of the theologian, college president, and hymn writer William Allen (who published his Psalms and Hymns in 1835). In 1843 she married Henry Boynton Smith, who served on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary in New York City (1850-1877). Well-versed in various languages, she traveled with her husband in Europe in 1869, where he sought to recuperate from physical and mental collapse. Writer of her husband’s memoirs, she also inherited an interest in hymnody from her father and translated hymns from German and French1. Enjoy!

I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
my only trust and Savior of my heart,
who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.

Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
reigning omnipotent in every place:
so come, O King, and our whole being sway;
shine on us with the light of thy pure day.

Thou art the Life, by which alone we live,
and all our substance and our strength receive;
O comfort us in death’s approaching hour,
strong-hearted then to face it by Thy pow’r.

Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
no harshness hast Thou and no bitterness:
make us to taste the sweet grace found in Thee
and ever stay in Thy sweet unity.

Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
O grant to us such stronger hope and sure
that we can boldly conquer and endure

1hymnary.org/text/i_greet_thee_who_my_sure_redeemer_art

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A Debtor to Mercy Alone

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Todays hymn is by Augustus Toplady (1740-1778), an Anglican clergyman and hymn writer who also wrote Rock of Ages. This hymn tell of the free forgiveness we have because of Christ’s blood, which has sealed for us an eternal inheritance and adoption into his family. Enj it this one this Lord’s Day.

A debtor to mercy alone,
of covenant mercy I sing;
nor fear, with Your righteousness on,
my person and off’ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
with me can have nothing to do;
my Savior’s obedience and blood
hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which His goodness began,
the arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is yea and amen,
and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
nor all things below or above,
can make Him His purpose forgo,
or sever my soul from His love.

My name from the palms of His hands
eternity will not erase;
impressed on His heart it remains,
in marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
as sure as the earnest is giv’n;
more happy, but not more secure,
the glorified spirits in heav’n.

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All the Way My Saviour Leads Me

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Today’s hymn was written in 1875 by Fanny Crosby. In her autobiography, Crosby wrote that this was her first hymn to be set to music by Baptist Minister Robert Lowry. A frequently told story about this hymn is that it came to Fanny as a result of a prayer. Struggling financially, she desperately needed some money. As her usual custom, Fanny began to pray. A few minutes later, a gentleman offered her five dollars, the exact amount she needed. Later recalling the incident, she said, “I have no way of accounting for this except to believe that God put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money.” The poem she wrote afterward became “All The Way My Saviour Leads Me” 1. Enjoy!

All the way my Saviour leads me–
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me–
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me–
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

1/en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_Way_My_Savior_Leads_Me

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Come, Sinners, To The Gospel Feast

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Today’s hymn comes from Charles Wesley. It first appeared in 24 stanzas in Hymns for Those That Seek and Those That Have Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ (1747). Nine stanzas were later chosen for the Wesleys’ famous Collection of Hymns for the People Called Methodists (1780). This hymn tells of the call to all of mankind to repent and believe the gospel. Enjoy reading this one.

Come, sinners, to the gospel feast,
Let every soul be Jesus’ guest;
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bidden all mankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
The invitation is to all:
Come, all the world; come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
Ye restless wanderers after rest,
Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
In Christ a hearty welcome find.

His love is mighty to compel;
His conquering love consent to feel,
Yield to His love’s resistless power,
And fight against your God no more.

This is the time; no more delay!
This is the Lord’s accepted day;
Come in, this moment, at His call,
And live for Him who died for all

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