Saved By Grace
Crosby once said about this hymn, “There is one hymn I have written which has never been published. I call it my soul’s poem. Sometimes when I am troubled, I repeat it to myself, for it brings comfort to my heart.”
Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.
Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in Heav’n for me.
Some day, when fades the golden sun
Beneath the rosy tinted west,
My blessèd Lord will say, “Well done!”
And I shall enter into rest.
Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Savior opens the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight.
“The hymn…was called into being through…a sermon preached by Dr. Howard Crosby who was a distant relative and dear friend of mine. He said that no Christian should fear death, for if each of us was faithful to the grace given us by Christ, the same grace that teaches us how to live would also teach us how to die. His remarks were afterward published in a newspaper, and they were read to me by Mr. Biglow. Not many hours after I heard them I began to write the hymn.”
Fanny J. Crosby
I chose a rose for this hymn because suddenly it reminds me of Jesus as rose of Sharon, the red colour, colour of His blood shed for us such that we can see Him face to face and we can tell the story of how we are saved by grace.
May this be our soul poem as well, in times of difficulties, in times of trials and tribulations, to remember how we start of with and to know and be assured of how we will soon become.
I Know Whom I Have Believed
“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” 2 Timothy 1:12
Daniel Webster Whittle, the author of this hymn was involved in one of the bloodiest conflict in American history, the Battle of Vicksburg where he lost his right arm, badly injured and was taken prisoner by the Confederates.
He was recovering from his wounds in the hospital where he grew bored and looked around for something to read, somehow God was working ahd he found a spare New Testament. As he read its words, his heart was moved and he felt a need to accept Christ as his Savior, but he wasn’t ready for that at that time. Shortly, however, he was awakened and told to pray with another dying POW because they thought he was a Christian.
Whittle later wrote, “I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few roken words, I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior used me to lead him to trust Christ’s precious blood and find pardon.“
He then wrote this hymn – “I Know Whom I Have Believed” – as an expression of his testimony of faith in Jesus Christ
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
Indeed, God work in His own mysterious ways, which we probably find rather difficult to imagine or even to accept. The only more reliable way we can depend on to analyze events is by rationalizing, but again, our brains are limited.
When I was singing this hymn, I can somehow get a taste of what the author felt while writing it. Like, of all people, why did God choose me? I am not better than them in anyway, why? Why would He give His only son to die for us. Why? I mean if we try to think in terms of human beings. Which of us would have that big a heart to do that? It’s simple unfathomable but it’s true.
And to think about it, if that is so unfathomable, then how do we know it’s true? how can we be sure of it? Well, looking at the title of the hymn itself, I know whom I have believed, we should get the whole point which is I have believe first, then I know.
In the second stanza, the author showed that he didn’t understand, didn’t know how God impart the saving faith to him and how believing in His Word can bring peace within his heart. Commonly, people do not really turn to His Word to find comfort, but to things/people which have once given them temporary comfort. Again very commonly, people, myself used to be one, avoided reading His Words, worrying about its authenticity, or maybe they thought they can live as a Christian without struggling or probably enjoying in reading His Words.
Reading the Bible is more than just what we should do because we are Christians, or because we are told to do so. Christians strive to be more like Christ, to live their lives according to what God wants them to be. How then can we announce ourselves as Christians but not live by His Words, which basically contains the content of God’s heart?
In Every Thought Captive, Richard Pratt said that the bible is the absolutely authoritative guide for all believers; without it we are left merely guessing at God’s mind, but with it God’s directives for all areas of our lives are made certain and clear, as Psalmist wrote “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path“.
Lastly, I believe that the author has another message for us through this hymn. All the things that he said he does not know, are less important than what is in the Refrain, taken from 2 Timothy 1:12. Focus less on those things that we do not understand because we are just too limited to do so, but more on our commitment and His Promise and on that day, when He comes again, we will be able to understand all those.
Others may ridicule us for believing in something in which there are so many things we do not really understand, so many mysteries, full of questions. Indeed, our spiritual life may be filled with many things we may not fully understand but by His Grace, we can still live with assurance and certainty of our conquering and triumphant faith.
blessed assurance
click on the play button to start listening to the instrumental version of Fanny Crosby’s Blessed Assurance
I’m just experimenting on this feature 
Random Verses
I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil–this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Ecclesiastes 3:10-14
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything, no gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward; I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom
Again, a very familiar hymn, very nice tune, very easy to sing, if we don’t pay close attention to the words.
To really look at the words and to sing is another thing, another very difficult thing to do.
To sing and know that we, the wretch, are made treasures, children of God
To sing about the Father turning His face away from His beloved son, because of us
To sing and realize about how it was our mocking voices among the scoffers when Jesus was at the cross.
To sing about how He held on our sins until it was accomplished, He endured it, the separation from the Father He loved.
And how His death brought me life.
Yet, what kind of life are we living?
Again, we realize how unworthy we are.
Nothing to boast except in Him.
I love the last two lines :
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.
Father, God who gives me endurance and hope, help me endure like Jesus did, help my unbelief.
His Eyes is on the sparrow
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.
Civilla Martin
I’ve known the contemporary version of this hymn by Lauryn Hill through the movie Sister Act. It has nice tune, but what I didn’t know that time was the words are even more exceptional.
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Sometimes I ask myself that, why should I feel discouraged? even though times are difficult, why do I let the shadows defeat me? Don’t I have Jesus, the shining armor, a constant Friend of mine.
And most of the times, those written in the 3rd stanza are very true. When we are tempted, when clouds of affliction come, our songs, our praises turn to sighing, complaining, and it seems as if we have lost hope. Be thankful for through these trying times, we draw closer to Him, set free from our afflictions and most importantly we are reminded and assured that He is our only hope.
As christians, sometimes we forget that from our so many experiences, we felt and we knew God’s guidance, God’s leading our paths, God’s constant care for us. But many times, we just forget and worry again. Help our unbelief, O God. Let us be assured always that Your Eyes is on the sparrow and You are watching over us.
And not forgetting the Refrain though. I like it very much. Very simple, very easy to sing, but can we at all times do that? I pray that God strengthens me so that I can. The more experience, the more struggle, in Him I can then sing :
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
O Master, let me walk with Thee
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.
O God, let your humble servant walk with Thee, without Your guidance, Your company, there are no reason to keep on living. Help my unbelief, guide my wayward feet, guide them to be patient and follow Your ways. Keep me closer, dearer to You, nourish me with faith, smeared by the sweet and strong smell of Jesus’ blood. Grant me assurance of Your might, teach me to be joyful in hope, holding on to Your promise and linger near my God of Peace, my Master, for good.
Strategic Role of Mind in Sanctification
Romans 12:16 (NIV)
Do not be conceitedProverbs 3:7 (KJV)
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
How we think determines how we live?
Before the Throne of God Above
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
I was listening to Selah’s rendition of this hymn, the music sounded contemporary, and I wanted to find the original music of this hymn. Subsequently while searching, I chanced upon the words of the hymns, which were surprisingly relevant to what I have been through these few days near the exams period.
The second stanza contains a very important and powerful message. A point which most of us might have taken for granted, or even ignored and well again that is the genius satan working. I have been feeling guilty these few days for not being able to study effectively, and to an extent not being able to give my best. The guilty feeling kinda slowed me down even more, and there the vicious cycle continues.
The hymn told me “When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within“. I was reminded that while I thought it was normal to feel guilty, it is definitely not from God. Why would God make us feel guilty for something which He has already pardoned us for. Worse still, this guilty in a way blurs my focus on God, making me focus on using my own effort more rather than walking with God.
So how? what should we do?
Look up, look at Him, our Just God, the Perfect One, is satisfied with what we are because He was looking at us through Jesus who had paid for all those guilt we have done.
I think the rest of the hymn is very beautiful as well, I just wish I have enough free time to write up more on what I think the hymn means and how beautiful it is. Well, there’s a time for everything. For now, this should be all
Lastly, I pray that God opened the heart of more and more people to appreciate hymns more. I myself found singing hymns not only reassuring my faith but also helping me learn facts that I usually take for granted. I find hymns as one of the great blessings as a Christian that I think no one should take it for granted.
PS : There’s actually no original composed music for this hymn, I think, it uses tunes from Sweet Hour of Prayer and And Can It Be.
More Love To Thee, O Christ
More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Let sorrow do its work, come grief or pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
Quoting from Elizabeth P. Prentiss, the author of this hymn :
“To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul… Out in the woods and on my bed and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!“
A simple piece of hymn but one which makes me reflect, do I long for the same thing as her? Do I pray that I will love Christ more and more each day? Maybe through so many afflictions, difficulties, suffering and pain, we can so easily say that we love Christ, just to get the comfort we need, not because we really are close enough to Him to say that.
This is my prayer too tonight, for myself, for people around me, for people I care about, that we all have the same eager and deep longing to love Christ more and more in any situation that faces us, be it afflictions and pain or even joy and peace. Loved by an everlasting Love is the reason why we desire to love Christ more.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
Psalm 119:71
