Hymns

But He is Strong

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 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

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Sometimes we sing the verse “I am weak. but He is strong.”  in a theoretical sense only. We actually feel quite fine and we sing thinking that some day when we are not feeling so chipper maybe then we will need the strength of Jesus. For today we are well – thank you – and then the thought of weakness fades as we go on with our afternoon.

But when I sing those words I sometimes think of my friend Sal. He was in his 98th year when I met him in our nursing home service. His large frame with its wide shoulders was now confined to a wheel chair. Sal sometimes would say, “I don’t know why God still has me here…” Maybe one part of the answer which only God knows for sure is the memories of our worship in the dining room at Allied Skilled services.

Though Sal could no longer walk and he was nearly entirely blind,  he could still sing and his strong bass voice would ring out as we sang the old hymns. As Sal’s voice and others like his filled the air I can picture God cupping His ear to listen while He sits among all His mighty angels bowed in worship.  Then I can see God raising His hand for quiet because he doesn’t want to miss a note of that fragile melody better than anything of the heavenly chorus. To Him those elderly voices shine with the faith of children as they sing, “We are weak -But He is strong!”

I believe that if God listens in heaven, then how much more do we need to pay attention here on earth. God inexplicably brings home some who are young because their work here is finished, but He also chooses for some to tarry, because it pleases Him. Since their faith and song are precious to Him, maybe we need to listen more carefully and value more highly those who are living out those words, “But He is strong!”

Abide with Me – Audrey Assad

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The Reverend Henry Lyte wrote the lyrics to the hymn “Abide With Me” in 1847 just weeks before his going to be with the Lord. But rather than being morbid and glum the words instead are filled with the fresh breath of hope. No matter what you are facing in your own person life there is hope in an eternal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has pursued us faithfully down all the pathways of our lives. His gave His loving discipline when we have strayed, His encouraging hand our our shoulders when we mourned, and His mighty strength when we were weary. So why should we doubt the  faithful love of God as we transition from one chapter of our lives to the next? Whether leaving home for the first time off to the grand adventure of life or preparing for heaven when we lay all we have gathered at His feet; He abides. He has given His all so we could receive all of Him. Don’t be afraid what ever step is before you. I loved this rendition by Audrey Assad. She brings the timeless melody and lyrics to us in her own unique way. Thank you Audrey and may my readers be blessed this Sunday as you remember again the one who has promised.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me

Walking with Jesus Alone

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And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
1516018540207_image.jpgTherefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.                     2 Cor 6:16-17

Being a Christian may sometimes feel like a complicated balancing act. On one hand we don’t want to be like the Pharisees whose holier than thou attitude smelled pretty stinky to God. But then we come face to face with verses in the New Testament that challenge us to boldly be different from others.

When I was small I can remember summer nights playing with my cousins in our grandmother’s back yard. Games of tag turned to Hide and seek as the afternoon shadows lengthened. Finally as darkness began to fall we would wear our selves out running with empty jars to try to catch fireflies. Finally our grandmother who we called Gammy would go out on the back porch and ring the big ships bell that grandfather had brought back from the navy ship which he captained.  Hearing that bell meant to all of us that we needed to stop everything we were doing and come in.

In that same way God is ringing heaven’s bell as the shadows of time are lengthening. It is time to stop chasing after the fireflies come in to be close to Him. Quite a few years ago being separated meant that we shouldn’t join secular civic organizations, labor unions or ecumenical groups. Not to disparage those choices but on closer examination of scripture we see that He is not just calling us out. He is also calling us in.

Are you at a crossroads in your life today? Is there some decision, commitment or relationship that challenges your relationship to Jesus Christ? Making choices in life is not easy. Often good choices are the most difficult. God doesn’t promise us a comfortable and easy path. He does promise that will never walk alone. Will you walk with Him today? Does His approval mean more than the approval of neighbors, friends and even family? It won’t matter how many people like our decision. The only like that really matters comes from Jesus Christ and He gives us the awesome and fearful freedom to choose who we will walk with today!