These posts focus our hearts and minds on the One who is worthy

In faith she touched the hem of His garment
As to His side she stole,
Amid the crowd that gathered around Him,
And straightway she was whole.

She came with fear and trembling before Him—
She knew her Lord had come;
She felt that from Him virtue had healed her,
The mighty deed was done. [Refrain]

He turned with, “Daughter, be of good comfort,
Thy faith hath made thee whole,”
And peace which passeth all understanding
With gladness filled her soul. [Refrain]

Refrain:
I’ve touched the hem of His garment,
And now I, too, am free;
His healing pow’r this very hour
Gives life and health to me.

George F. Root, 1887
Read Mark 5:25-34

The story on which this hymn is based is such a beautiful one. As you read it, note Jesus’s tender compassion for the woman. Know that He has that same compassion for you. Reach out. You will be made whole.

O for a faith that will not shrink,
though pressed by many a foe,
that will not tremble on the brink
of poverty or woe,

That will not murmur nor complain
beneath the chastening rod,
but, in the hour of grief or pain,
can lean upon its God;

A faith that shines more bright and clear
when tempests rage without,
that when in danger knows no fear,
in darkness feels no doubt;

A faith that keeps the narrow way
till life’s last hour is fled,
and with a pure and heavenly ray
lights up a dying bed!

Lord, give us such a faith as this,
and then, whate’er may come,
I taste even now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

William Hiley Bathurst, 1831
Read Hebrews 10:32-38

This hymn longs for and celebrates a faith that is unshakeable, that does not waver when circumstances are challenging. It is a faith that is focused on eternity rather than the present world. It is an enduring faith because it is faith Christ alone. Like anything else, faith grows stronger when it’s exercised. May we grow in faith and in the realization of how great God is, in whom our faith rests.

Christ for the world! we sing;
the world to Christ we bring
with loving zeal–
the poor and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne,
sinsick and sorrow-worn,
for Christ to heal.

Christ for the world! we sing;
the world to Christ we bring
with fervent prayer–
the wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed,
redeemed at countless cost
from dark despair.

Christ for the world! we sing;
the world to Christ we bring
with one accord–
with us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare,
with us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world! we sing;
the world to Christ we bring
with joyful song–
the newborn souls whose days,
reclaimed from error’s ways,
inspired with hope and praise,
to Christ belong.

Samuel Wolcott, 1869
Read John 1:37-45

Everyone needs Jesus. There is no more important mission we can undertake than to bring others to Christ. The need for Him has never been greater. People need healing and hope, and it can’t be found anywhere else. Join in the work with “loving zeal.”

My soul, be on thy guard–
Ten thousand foes arise;
The hosts of sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the skies.

O watch and fight and pray,
The battle ne’er give o’er;
Renew it boldly ev’ry day,
And help divine implore.

Ne’er think the vict’ry won,
Nor lay thine armor down;
The work of faith will not be done
Till thou obtain thy crown.

Fight on, my soul, till death
Shall bring thee to thy God;
He’ll take thee, at thy parting breath,
To His divine abode.

George Heath, 1781
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5

This old hymn, new to me, is equal parts encouragement and warning. We have a serious charge from Christ. The work is hard. The enemies are real. It is not for the weak or the faint. But the cause is eternal, and the rewards are beyond our imagination. Don’t shy away! Fight on!

Low in the grave He lay–
Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day–
Jesus, my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed–
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead–
Jesus, my Lord! [Chorus]

Death cannot keep his prey–
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away–
Jesus, my Lord! [Chorus]

Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Robert Lowry, 1874
Read Mark 16:1-8

In my mind, this is THE Easter hymn. It has so many powerful phrases in such a short space. “Vainly they seal the dead.” “He arose a victor from the dark domain.” Enjoy it as you prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine:
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove,
Mine to show a Savior’s love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard;
Mine to punish or reward.

Mine to comfort in distress,
Suffering in this wilderness;
Mine to show by living faith,
We can triumph over death.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom:
O thou Holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

John Burton, 1803
Read 119:89-96

I will date myself, but I remember singing this hymn in Sunday school as a grade-schooler. “Holy Bible, Book Divine,” with its short lines and simple melody, is an easy one for kids to learn and sing, but it is deceptively deep in the truth it presents. Scripture tells the answers to the existential questions we have. It brings comfort. It tells us how the world works and what our destiny is. There is no other book like it. As the hymn says, it is a treasure for sure. Thank God for His written revelation to us!