This hymn (yet another golden oldie) popped into my head this morning during communion. As I was praying, praising God for the blessing of His son and that, through the blood of Christ, I can approach the throne in worship, the line "Born of his spirit, washed in his blood" stuck in my head. From there, I was able to remember the whole first verse, but couldn't remember anything beyond the refrain. As I looked the song up and read the words, I was overwhelmed that the rest of this hymn deals with precisely what I've been learning all semester: rest. Christ offers us His peace and rest. That doesn't mean we won't still struggle with sin (we are fallen, after all) or struggle with doubt in times of trouble. But Christ offers us His peace and rest. It is eternal, and it is offered to us now. It is "a foretaste of glory divine."
One other note about this song. The third line of the last verse says "watching and waiting." I believe that these are keys to finding peace and rest, joy and life, in Christ. These are hard for us to do in this age of instant messaging, microwaves, and overnight shipping. Patience is a lost virtue. I am convinced that the disillusionment many feel with life in Christ is due to the fact that they are not willing to wait on the Lord.
God, give me patience and trust that I might wait on You and find rest in reliance on Your promises.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long
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Didn't stop by Sunday to read the hymn, Andrew, but did so tonight. You selected one that brings back such childhood memories for me! I can hear my pastor's beautiful voice leading our little Baptist congregation in this song. I love the old hymns and just cannot stand the new rock crud that passes for "praise" music. Perhaps you like it, but all it does for me is further remove me from even considering worship in a church setting. Ah well, your hymn tonight is a good one to take with us when my husband and I head over the mountains on Thursday for the memorial service of my cousin's husband.
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