The following hymn came to mind today:
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.
Matthew 11:28-30
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Ephesians 6:10-18
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
I Thessalonians 5:17
17Pray without ceasing.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
If memory serves correct, the first time I heard the following hymn was at Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My family started attending 7th when I was about 6 years old. It was at 7th that I learned many of the great hymns and Psalters of the Faith. It was also there that I went to Sunday School & Catechism classes from 1st through 12th grade. On Wednesday nights we would have catechism which was preceded by a short song service. Every week we would also have an evening service on Sunday night, also preceded by a song service. Thanks to my parents, I faithfully attended church twice each Sunday and each Wednesday night (whether I wanted to or not). Through those services I learned many hymns that have come to memory at various times in my life, even in some cases when I hadn't heard or sang them in many years.
The following hymn came to mind on the morning of my surgery this past July. My wife and I had been reading scripture and praying much for weeks before surgery, but for some reason, on that morning, at about 4:30am, the only thing I could think of was the following hymn. Through some shaky voices, and a few tears we sang this together:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Here is the scriptural basis for these words:
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deuteronomy 33:27
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. Psalms 37:17
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Micah 3:11
The following hymn came to mind on the morning of my surgery this past July. My wife and I had been reading scripture and praying much for weeks before surgery, but for some reason, on that morning, at about 4:30am, the only thing I could think of was the following hymn. Through some shaky voices, and a few tears we sang this together:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Here is the scriptural basis for these words:
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deuteronomy 33:27
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. Psalms 37:17
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Micah 3:11
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Philippians 4
Philippians 4 is probably one of the better known and most recognizable chapters in Scripture. Most Christians know, or ought to know, the following passage;
"4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This passage is truly a great reminder and comfort to those in times of anxiety. Always go to the Lord in prayer (in good times too). Its also a key reminder to go to God in Thanksgiving. This spirit of Thanksgiving can be difficult for Christians as they go through difficult trials. Thus, Paul's next major point, and the verses I'd like to reflect on in this post.
Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Again, many people know verse 13, and this is good. All things are possible with and through God, but I believe its important to see the preceding verses. They have to do with Contentment. The Apostle Paul can honestly say he knows "how to be brought low, and....to abound." This is a man who was wrongly imprisoned and beaten on numerous occasions. This is a man who was called by God to suffer (that's right, suffering isn't just some random thing that happened to Paul, it was one of his callings in life). How can Paul be content in a life where he is wrongly imprisoned, beaten, and constantly mocked by others? What is his secret for "facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.?" The answer is verse 13. Through Christ's strength he can do all things.
In every situation in life I need surrender all to Christ. I also need to be content in God's Providence. Understanding that providence isn't just things that happen in this life that I personally like, such as a material blessing. Everything that happens to me in this life is a providence that will ultimately be used for my good and more importantly for His Glory. Only through constant prayer and reading/studying scripture can a Christian begin to grow in true contentment. In Christ alone will this grace be found.
"4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This passage is truly a great reminder and comfort to those in times of anxiety. Always go to the Lord in prayer (in good times too). Its also a key reminder to go to God in Thanksgiving. This spirit of Thanksgiving can be difficult for Christians as they go through difficult trials. Thus, Paul's next major point, and the verses I'd like to reflect on in this post.
Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Again, many people know verse 13, and this is good. All things are possible with and through God, but I believe its important to see the preceding verses. They have to do with Contentment. The Apostle Paul can honestly say he knows "how to be brought low, and....to abound." This is a man who was wrongly imprisoned and beaten on numerous occasions. This is a man who was called by God to suffer (that's right, suffering isn't just some random thing that happened to Paul, it was one of his callings in life). How can Paul be content in a life where he is wrongly imprisoned, beaten, and constantly mocked by others? What is his secret for "facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.?" The answer is verse 13. Through Christ's strength he can do all things.
In every situation in life I need surrender all to Christ. I also need to be content in God's Providence. Understanding that providence isn't just things that happen in this life that I personally like, such as a material blessing. Everything that happens to me in this life is a providence that will ultimately be used for my good and more importantly for His Glory. Only through constant prayer and reading/studying scripture can a Christian begin to grow in true contentment. In Christ alone will this grace be found.
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