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

Sweet is the promise I will not forget thee,
Nothing can molest or turn my soul away;
E’en though the night be dark within the valley,
Just beyond is shining an eternal day.

Trusting the promise I will not forget thee,
Onward I will go with songs of joy and love,
Though earth despise me,
Though my friends forsake me,
I shall be remembered in my home above. [Refrain]

When at the golden portals I am standing,
All my tribulations, all my sorrows past;
How sweet to hear the blessèd proclamation,
Enter, faithful servant, welcome home at last. [Refrain]

Refrain
I will not forget thee or leave thee,
In My hands I’ll hold thee,
In My arms I’ll fold thee,
I will not forget thee or leave thee;
I am thy Redeemer, I will care for thee.

Charles H. Gabriel, 1889
Read John 14:16-18

There is such comfort and reassurance in “I Will Not Forget Thee.” There is no situation we face that He leaves us to face alone. He is there for us, with us, beside us. In this life and the next. Reread the words and take hold of the encouragement and comfort. Be assured He knows and He sees and He is there.

O love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my longing heart
all taken up by thee?
I thirst, I faint, I die to prove
the greatness of redeeming love,
the love of Christ to me.

Stronger his love than death or hell;
its riches are unsearchable:
the first-born sons of light
desire in vain its depth to see;
they cannot reach the mystery,
the length and breadth and height.

God only knows the love of God;
O that it now were shed abroad
in this poor stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
this only portion, Lord, be mine,
be mine this better part.

For ever would I take my seat
with Mary at the Master’s feet:
be this my happy choice;
my only care, delight, and bliss,
my joy, my heaven on earth, be this,
to hear the Bridegroom’s voice!

Thy only love do I require,
nothing on earth beneath desire,
nothing in heaven above:
let earth and heaven, and all things go,
give me thine only love to know,
give me thine only love.

Charles Wesley, 1749
Read Ezekiel 36:24-28

“Love Divine” dares to consider the depth of God’s love for us. It is far beyond the strongest human bonds. It defies understanding. It is boundless and unending. It is our very life. In summary, “[L]et earth and heaven, and all things go,
give me thine only love to know,” is Wesley’s prayer. May it be ours as well.

Into the tent where a gypsy boy lay,
Dying alone at the close of the day,
News of Salvation we carried; said he,
“Nobody ever has told it to me!”

“Did he so love me, a poor little boy?
Send unto me the good tidings of joy?
Need I not perish? my hand will he hold?
Nobody ever the story has told!” [Chorus]

Bending, we caught the last words of his breath,
Just as he entered the valley of death,
“God sent his Son!” “whosoever,” said he;
“Then I am sure that he sent him for me!” [Chorus]

Smiling, he said, as his last sigh he spent,
“I am so glad that for me he was sent!”
Whispered, while low sank the sun in the west,
“Lord, I believe;” “tell it now to the rest!” [Chorus]

Chorus:
Tell it again! tell it again!
Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er,
Till none can say of the children of men,
“Nobody ever has told me before.”

Mary B. C. Slade, 1876
Read Romans 10:11-21

The refrain of the hymn, “Tell it again! tell it again! Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er,” should be a call to action. It reminds us of the urgency and importance of sharing the Gospel with those who have yet to hear it. Each repetition of the story has the potential to touch hearts and transform lives, ensuring that no one can say, “Nobody ever has told me before.”

May we consider our own role in spreading the message of salvation and extending God’s love to all. Let us be diligent and faithful messengers of hope, answering the boy’s plea to “tell it again” until every soul has heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

In the warfare that is raging
For the truth and for the right,
When the conflict fierce is raging
With the powers of the night,
God needs people brave and true;
May He then depend on you?

See, they come on sable pinions,
Come in strong Satanic might,
Powers come and dark dominions
From the regions of the night.
God requires the brave and true;
May He then depend on you? [Refrain]

From His throne the Father sees us;
Angels help us to prevail;
And our leader true is Jesus,
And we shall not, cannot fail.
Triumph crowns the brave and true;
May the Lord depend on you? [Refrain]

Refrain:
May the Lord depend on you?
Loyalty is but His due;
Say, O spirit brave and true,
That He may depend on you!

William C. Martin, 1878
Read 2 Timothy 2:3-4

This hymn is a little more obscure than some of the others but it asks a poignant question. The battle is real. To deny that would be to deny not only what is happening in the culture around us but Scripture itself. Will we engage? Will we fight? Will we stand by and hope someone else picks up the slack? That’s a hard question. But it requires an answer. How will you respond?

Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight manfully onward,
Dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus,
He’ll carry you through.

Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain,
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kind-hearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus,
He’ll carry you through. [Chorus]

To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Savior,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He’ll carry you through. [Chorus]

Chorus:
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

H. R. Palmer, 1868
Read James 1:12-16

“Yield Not to Temptation” is unique in that it relies on warning and admonition, while newer hymns typically center on encouragement. Both have their place. We have a calling to live a separated life, one different from the culture. This hymn offers unflinching advice on how to do that. However, the final stanza reminds us of the reason behind it and the secret to accomplishing it — Jesus Christ. “Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.” And He will.

“Christ Returneth!” is sometimes listed as “It May Be at Morn.”

It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory,
To receive from the world “His own.”

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
When Jesus receives “His own.” (Refrain)

While its hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,
With glorified saints and the angels attending,
With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory,
Will Jesus receive “His own.” (Refrain)

Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying,
No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying,
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives “His own.” (Refrain)

Refrain:
O Lord Jesus, how long, how long
Ere we shout the glad song,
Christ returneth!
Hallelujah! hallelujah!
Amen, Hallelujah! Amen.

H. L. Turner, 1878
Mark 13:35-37

So many hymns written in the late 19th century had the return of Christ as a subject. There was a marked longing and a hopeful anticipation. Let’s seize on Paul’s words to the Romans:

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

Our salvation is near. Let’s live in view of that hope.