O happy day that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
‘Tis done– the great transaction’s done;
I am my Lord’s, and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on,
Rejoicing in the call divine.
Now rest, my long-divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center rest;
Here have I found a nobler part,
Here heav’nly pleasures fill my breast.
High heav’n that hears the solemn vow,
That vow renewed shall daily hear;
Till in life’s latest hour I bow,
And bless in death a bond so dear.
Chorus:
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing ev’ry day;
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away.
Philip Doddridge, 1755
Read Joshua 24:14-24
(Joshua impressed on Israel that following God required a definite, active choice. It cannot be half-hearted. Jesus reiterated that we cannot put our hand to the plow and long for we left behind. We must deny self, take up our cross and follow Him. When we, like the hymn writer, consider the implications, however, there is only one choice. One fixed choice.)