1.14.2008

Sometimes I Just Need To Remember...

My favorite hymn is "Amazing Grace". Penned by John Newton in the eighteenth century, the lyrics are a prayer of their own. Rarely are all verses sung, and there are variations on many. Here are my favorites:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

***

"Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more–no amount of spiritual calisthenics and renunciations, no amount of knowledge gained from seminaries, no amount of crusading on behalf of righteous causes. And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less..Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love."

(What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey)

***

...that I am truly in control of nothing. Only He has complete control.

2 comments:

tommie said...

Seeing the words puts things in perspective!

It is one of my favorite hymns as well.

Anonymous said...

My favorite hymn too. What a promise. What a promise kept.

Sandra