A broken heart, my God, my King, Is all the sacrifice I bring; The God of grace will never despise A broken heart for sacrifice.
My soul lies humbled in the dust And owns Thy dreadful sentence just; Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye And save the soul condemned to die.
Charles-Spurgeon-Quote
Then will I teach the world Thy ways; Sinner shall learn Thy sovereign grace; I’ll lead them to my Savior’s blood, And they shall praise a pardening God.
O may Thy love inspire my tongue; Salvation shall be all my song, And all my power shall join to bless The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.
Can you think of any other paths that Scripture lays out for us to battle the sin of faithlessness? What is your favorite hymn when dealing with trials, or sorrow?
A Hymn From the Past
Far From the World, O Lord, I Flee – by William Cowper
Today’s hymn is another of William Cowper’s, again focusing on the way a Christian should handle crisis. It’s easy to say “be anxious for nothing” but far more difficult to do it, or to explain how one goes about doing it. Anxiety, fear, faithlessness, can overwhelm even the most seasoned believer. How many messages did I hear about being anxious for nothing in the WoF movement? Too many to count. Unfortunately, I can count all the ways we were taught not to be anxious on one hand. It was simple, you rebuke the fear and the cause of the fear, then ignore it. Cancer? Job loss? Pandemic? Oh no, don’t pay that any attention, proceed as if all is well and surely don’t confide in another church goer, or heaven forbid, a pastor or elder. That would be speaking negative confessions. The answer was actually not an answer, the anxiety wasn’t gone, we just had to keep our problems to ourselves.
What is the actual answer? God has given us means of handling anxiety and fear, rather than expecting us to ignore them or pretend our words have magical powers. I can name four different avenues for renewing our minds when fear threatens to overwhelm us, if you can think of more from Scripture please add them in the comments below. 1. Prayer – what does it really mean to be praying ceaselessly? It doesn’t mean becoming a monk, refusing to eat, sleep, or talk. But to be bringing our thoughts, concerns, praises, thanksgivings to the throne of God throughout the day. In this way, when anxiety or fear begins to bubble up in our minds we have a place of authority to take them. We can rest at the foot of the throne, pouring out our troubles before the God of the universe. One other point about prayer is that we can pray for one another, we don’t have to be alone in this. Asking believers for prayer, and praying for brothers and sisters-in-Christ is such a joy to me, as I often remember what it was like to keep it all inside.
2. Study – When we go to Scripture for devotions and study we learn about God, about His character, about the bigger picture that we tend to miss during our anxious days. We’re grounded again on the truth of God’s sovereignty, reminded of eternity, reminded of His call to share the Gospel, and reminded of mercy when we stumble into fearful anxiety. This is another thing we don’t have to do alone, we can have Bible studies together! 3. Worship – This is the actual point of this post, below is another beautiful hymn that reminds us of our true home. Job asked His wife about this, when she recommended that he just curse God and die. How could he do that? How could he praise God when everything was good, and then turn his back on God when things were, well, awful? When we give God the glory that He so truly is owed, even when we are hurting, we are reminded of the God we serve. Through the words of a Psalm or a hymn we can sing of His love, His mercy, His salvation, of all that He has already done. This takes our mind off of the momentary affliction and puts it where it out to be, reorienting our perspective back on what we have already been given! 4. Fellowship – final thought on this is how we can fellowship. True that right now we’re unable to meet in large numbers, but when we talk with one another about God, about our trials and His provisions, we are baring one another burdens. We’re not alone, we have a family, a body of believers, each with their own battles against the flesh. Alone we might feel like we’re the single most wretched sinner to ever be forgiven, but when we are brought together and enjoy a time of fellowship we see that God is sanctifying all of us. What a kindness God has given to His children!
Can you think of any other paths that Scripture lays out for us to battle the sin of faithlessness? What is your favorite hymn when dealing with trials, or sorrow? Mine is Pass Me Not by Fanny Crosby, but these lyrics below are also edifying and beautiful. I hope you are blessed by this hymn, and please let me know if there is anyway I could be praying for you. As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.
Far from the world, O Lord, I flee, From strife and tumult far; From scenes where Satan wages still His most successful war.
The calm retreat, the silent shade, With prayer and praise agree; And seem by Thy sweet bounty made For those who follow Thee.
There, if Thy Spirit touch the soul, And grace her mean abode, O with what peace, and joy, and love, She communes with her God!
There, like the nightingale, she pours Her solitary lays; Nor asks a witness of her song, Nor thirsts for human praise.
Author and Guardian of my life, Sweet Source of light divine, And, all harmonious names in one, My Saviour,–Thou art mine!
What thanks I owe Thee, and what love, A boundless, endless store, Shall echo through the realms above When time shall be no more!
Continuing with our highlighted hymnist today, we’ve selected another beautiful Anne Steele hymn for you. What hope does man have on this earth to find forgiveness of our sins? There is no hope, no savior of mankind to be found in science, or philosophy, or even the religions of this world. Salvation comes by one way, one road, one narrow path that few find. Christ alone is the only answer, the only way to the Father is through the Son. Repent of your sins, and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone. For the wages of sin is death, yet the gift of God is eternal life. What love is this that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us? This grace is truly amazing! As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.
1 Deep are the wounds which sin hath made; Where shall the sinner find a cure? In vain, alas, is nature’s aid, The work exceeds all nature’s power. 2 Sin, like a raging fever, reigns With fatal strength in every part; The dire contagion fills the veins, And spreads its poison to the heart. 3 And can no sovereign balm be found? And is no kind physician nigh, To ease the pain and heal the wound, Ere life and hop forever fly? 4 There is a great physician near, Look up. O fainting soul, and live; See, in his heavenly smiles appear Such ease as nature cannot give! 5 See in the Savior’s dying blood Life, health, and bliss abundant flow! ‘Tis only this dear sacred flood Can cleanse the heart, and heal its woe. 6 Sin throws in vain its pointed dart, For here a sovereign cure is found; A cordial for a fainting heart, A balm for every painful wound.
As I mentioned last Sunday, dear friends, I wanted to spend some time highlighting Anne Steele’s hymns. Today is another one from her, and while it was never as popular as the last, it’s just as beautiful and God glorifying. I hope these words bless you, as they blessed me, and that you all have a sweet day of fellowship. As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.
1 And did the holy and the just, The sovereign of the skies, Stoop down to wretchedness and dust, That guilty man might rise?
2 Yes, the Redeemer left his throne– His radiant throne on high– Surprising mercy! love unknown! To suffer, bleed, and die.
3 To dwell with misery here below, The Saviour left the skies, And sank to wretchedness and woe, That worthless man might rise.
4 He took the dying traitor’s place, And suffered in his stead: For sinful man–oh, wondrous grace! For sinful man he bled.
5 O Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell In thine atoning blood! By this are sinners saved from hell, And rebels brought to God.
I hope this finds you all doing well, dear ones. I’m so excited to discuss the sister who wrote this hymn. Anne Steele (1717-1778) published this hymn in 1760, although it was written much earlier in her life. There are two version of this song, the short one and the long one. I find both to be absolutely, breathtakingly, encouraging. You see, beloved, Anne was an invalid, and it’s been long believed that she had malaria. Still it’s said that she was lively, joyful, and always interested in a discussion of theology. She wrote this hymn after her fiancé died, drowning on the day they were to marry. Although she was proposed to by another hymn writer later in her life, she remained unmarried. This hymn was written at a time when trusting Gods sovereignty must have been difficult. I hope this blesses you as much as it blessed Becca and I.
Anne Steele Hymn by Becca Barner
When I Survey Life’s Varied Scene
I. When I survey life’s varied scene, Amid the darkest hours, Sweet rays of comfort shine between, And thorns are mix’d with flowers.
II. Lord, teach me to adore thy hand, From whence my comforts flow; And let me in this desert land A glimpse of Canaan know.
III. Is health and ease my happy share? O may I bless my God; Thy kindness let my songs declare, And spread thy praise abroad.
IV. While such delightful gifts as these, Are kindly dealt to me, Be all my hours of health and ease Devoted, Lord, to thee.
V. In griefs and pains thy sacred word, (Dear solace of my soul!) Celestial comforts can afford, And all their pow’r control.
VI. When present suff’rings pain my heart, Or future terrors rise, And light and hope almost depart From these dejected eyes,
VII. Thy pow’rful word supports my hope, Sweet cordial of the mind! And bears my fainting spirit up, And bids me wait resign’d.
VIII. And O, whate’er of earthly bliss Thy sov’reign hand denies, Accepted at thy throne of grace, Let this petition rise:
IX. “Give me a calm, a thankful heart, From ev’ry murmur free; The blessings of thy grace impart, And let me live to thee.”
X. “Let the sweet hope that thou art mine, My path of life attend; Thy presence through my journey shine, And bless its happy end.”
Today the shortened version of this hymn, entitled Father, Whate’er of Earthly Bliss, is more often in use. Both are beautiful, although I’m partial to the longer version. I couldn’t find the longer version being song, so here’s a choir singing the shorter version.
New year, dear ones, but back to digging through old hymns I’ve never heard before. Aided today by Becca’s beautiful graphics, we bring you another Isaac Watts hymn. There’s an important distinction I hope we can all remember today, between praising God through worship, and singing catchy songs. The man centered drivel we find on modern “Christian” radio stations is the latter, what we are required to bring before the Lord is the first. What I love about the old hymns is their focus on glorifying the only one who ought to receive glory, God. I hope this will bless you, and as always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.
We sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
We sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed,
where’er we turn our eyes,
if we survey the ground we tread
or gaze upon the skies.
There’s not a plant or flower below
but makes your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from your throne;
while all that borrows life from you
is ever in your care,
and everywhere that we can be,
you, God, are present there.
This, dear ones, is a simple and beautiful hymn written by Irvin Mack. Mostly, I enjoy the very complicated hymns with long and deep lines. But from time to time, ones like this catch my eye. I hope that it blesses you, as it blessed me. As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.
Let the voice of praising
Come from all the race,
All our songs upraising
Songs of Sovereign Grace.
Songs of Sovereign Grace,
Songs of Sovereign Grace,
Soon we’ll sing up yonder
Songs of Sovereign Grace.
We shall soon behold Him,
See Him face to face,
Then we’ll sing the sweeter,
Songs of Sovereign Grace.
Songs of Sovereign Grace,
Songs of Sovereign Grace,
Soon we’ll sing up yonder
Songs of Sovereign Grace.
When we seek to enter
That most holy place
We will come rejoicing,
Saved by Sovereign Grace.
Saved by Sovereign Grace,
Saved by Sovereign Grace,
Soon we’ll sing up yonder
Saved by Sovereign Grace.
The modern version of this Charles Wesley hymn is titled Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, but I like the old version better. When I consider that God the Son condescended to becomeman, to live here on earth among His own creation, my mind feels like it’s being stretched too far. I can’t comprehend this type of love. We went to a Christmas town yesterday, a cold front moved in and it was way colder then expected. Wind chills at -11. I hate being uncomfortable, even for the few minutes we stood outside to watch the parade. Christ left the glories of heaven, He entered His creation, He lived a perfect life, He died an excruciatingly painful death having our sins poured out on Him by the Father. All of this willingly, all of this for wretches like me. What love is this, that while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me? This is why we celebrate the incarnation, the greatest gift ever given.
Hail, thou long expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free! From our sins and fears release us. Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the saints, thou art Long desir’d of every nation, Joy of every waiting heart.
Born thy people to deliver. Born a child, yet God our King, Born to reign in us for ever. Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
Recently twitter has seen many twisting Spurgeons words to suggest he would support women preaching. Intellectual dishonesty is dangerous in any field of study, but I find it particularly distasteful when it comes from professing Christians. We ought to be the very group striving for excellency in this area, the ones leading the way as a shining example. That’s certainly not what we’re seeing on social media. So, to show my love for this brother who has long since gone on to glory, here is one of his own hymns. Now, more than ever, dear ones, we must be cautious as we communicate through social media. We’re not our own, and every vein word spoken or typed will be held to our account.
The Holy Ghost is here,
Where saints in prayer agree,
As Jesus’ parting gift is near
Each pleading company.
Not far away is He,
To be by prayer brought nigh,
But here in present majesty,
As in His courts on high.
He dwells within our soul,
An ever welcome guest;
He reigns with absolute control,
As monarch in the breast.
Obedient to Thy will,
We wait to feel Thy power;
O Lord of life, our hopes fulfill,
And bless this hallowed hour.
If our goal is not to glorify God, and to make His name known, then why are we even on social media? How could it possibly glorify God to twist someones words, simply to prove a point which is actually unbiblical to start with? Of course, we know that it is not glorifying to God when professing believers behave in this way. If you haven’t seen this, it’s a quote of Spurgeon saying not to send the women home. Some have taken his and used it as a rebuke against MacArthur. Spurgeon was not discussing women preachers when he said that, so anyone who shared it to make a point did so dishonestly. I have learned from this, personally, as I continue to pray for sanctification. I must examine my own heart, how badly must would I want to win an argument to do so by sinning? I pray that the Lord uses this, as with all the other issues on Twitter, to grow His children in maturity. As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.
Hello, dear ones, I hope you’re fellowship today is sweet. The hymn I want to share with you this morning was written by Richard Baxter. The Puritans hold a special place in our hearts and bookshelves. The way they wrote is convicting, and yet beautifully designed to glorify God. I’m reading David Brainerd’s Life and Journal again this week. I saw a quote from him the other day and it gave me the strangest feeling! I missed the writing of him and Jonathan Edwards as if I had been away from dear friends for too long. God’s children are a body of believers, connected throughout history by our adoption. I’m very thankful that Edwards stopped David from burning his journal. I’m very thankful that in God’s providence Baxter wrote such wonderful hymns. I’m thankful for the historical Church that Christ has built, that the gates of hell will not prevail against.
Lord, it belongs not to my care
whether I die or live:
to love and serve thee is my share,
and this thy grace must give.
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
than he went through before;
he that into God’s kingdom comes
must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet
thy blessed face to see;
for if thy work on earth be sweet,
what will thy glory be!
Then shall I end my sad complaints
and weary, sinful days,
and join with the triumphant saints
that sing my Saviour’s praise.
My knowledge of that life is small,
the eye of faith is dim;
but ’tis enough that Christ knows all,
and I shall be with him.
Wow, where is the writing like this today? Has anyone else had to completely shut off the modern Christian radio channels? Man centered music can never be considered worship music, even if those who push it label it as such. Worship music must be glorifying to God, or else we are worshipping something else. What is your favorite hymn, dear ones, and did you grow up hearing them? As always, beloved brethren, be good Bereans and study to show yourselves approved.
We sing the mighty power of God 
Tulips & Honey 