Music

Confidence

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (Proverbs 14:26)

Devotion

Uncertainty brings torment, taunting us with what-ifs as our imaginations run rampant. Of course, studies show that 90% of what we worry about doesn’t come true. Yet, we often worry anyway.

Although we can’t know what tomorrow holds, we can rest knowing that Jesus is with us. And when all is said and done, isn’t that all that matters?

Today, let us rest in the truth found in His Word. He is our confidence!

The Song

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of the Spirit, washed in His blood.

Nothing should still the joy of that declaration. We are His and He is ours.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:9-11).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:3-7).

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:12-14). 

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.

When doubts arise, we must speak words of truth to our hearts and minds. The truth of His Word will banish the uncertainties and set us free!

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). 

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.

Angels descending bring from above,

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Crosby describes our relationship with the Lord. Perfect submission to the Lord brings perfect delight in the Lord. In His presence is joy!

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11).

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.

In daily submission, we find rest. In His presence, we are happy and blessed. And when we love Him as we should, we will watch for Him as a lover waiting for a beloved.

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away (Song of Solomon 2:10).

Blessed Assurance Fannie J. Crosby Public Domain

If you want to read about this prolific poet, composer, and lyricist, click here.

The Video

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Now, let's go to church!

Living By Faith

/ Gail Johnson / 8 Comments

What does living by faith look like to you? To James Wells and R.E. Winsett, it meant living a worry-free life. He wasn’t suggesting we walk around with our heads in the clouds, ignoring life. He was telling us to rest in the peace granted to us through the work of Jesus Christ.

The Authors

James Wells (1872-1947) wrote the first three verses of this hymn. He was a poet, newspaper columnist, and hymnist. I couldn’t find much about his life except he was the son of Chauncey Wells and Susannah Freer, and he authored sixty-four hymns.

Robert Emmett Winsett (1876-1952) wrote the fourth verse. He was a prolific writer and publisher. He published the hymnal Best of All in 1952 and sold 600,000 upon its release. The hymn “Jesus is Coming Soon” became the Song of the Year in 1969. In 2002, Winsett was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

When I find an author who has written several of my favorite songs, I feel like I’ve found a friend. R.E. Winsett is one of those writers. I have heard the following songs all my life. The words have blessed me countless times.

Wayfaring Stranger

His Blood is on My Soul

Will You Meet Me Over Yonder?

Lift Me Up Above the Shadows

When My Savior Reached Down for Me

Jesus Is Coming Soon

The Song

I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’re everything,
And all of my worry is vain.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV).

Like the hymnist, Paul is not suggesting we dismiss genuine concerns. He points us to a way to live worry-free: praying about everything.

Shall keep means to guard. The Philippians were used to seeing Roman soldiers standing guard in Philippi. They would understand Paul’s meaning. God’s peace standing guard at the door of our minds is reassuring!

Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
O, I’m living by faith and I feel no alarm.

In the chorus, the writers tell us how to live by faith:

Trusting
Confiding
Resting

Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise,
Obscuring the brightness of life,
I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies,
The Master looks on at the strife.

Notice the writer tells his reader the tempests will blow. No ifs about that.

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men (Psalm 33:13 KJV). 

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy (Psalm 33:18 KJV). 

I know that He safely will carry me through,
No matter what evils betide,
Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.

We will face spiritual rivers, fires, and flames through the hardships of life. But we shouldn’t be overcome with care. There’s a better way. Lean into His promises!

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2 KJV).

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee (Psalm 33:20-22 KJV). 

Our Lord will return to this earth some sweet day
Our troubles will then all be o’er
The Master so gently will lead us away
Beyond that blest heavenly shore

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV). 

What a glorious thought!

The Video