"My Savior’s Love "

“Songs My Father Sang”


Father’s Day 2010

My Savior’s Love has to be one of my father’s favorite hymns. I remember him singing this often. He would use the verse in his sermons, often quoting verse one: “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.”

He was grateful for the cleansing of the blood of Jesus that changed him from a sinner, condemned, unclean, to a child of God. This text takes one on a journey through the garden of Gethsemane to the Cross. The songwriter can only exclaim, as he thinks of what Jesus did for us, “How marvelous! How wonderful!” There is no other explanation for the love He showed to us on the cross.

Then, one of these days, verse five declares, we will have the joy of singing about His love for eternity with all the others who also have experienced Jesus’ love in their lives.

My Savior’s Love

Text and Music by Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)
This song first appeared in 1905.

1. I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.


Refrain


O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!


2. For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.


3. In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.


4. He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.


5. When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me. 

Related Scriptures:

Matthew 26:39-44  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.  "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Luke 22:41-44  He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Romans 5:6-8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7ery rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 3:14-19  For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

“All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass—Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners!” Archibald Alexander

He is So Precious To Me

“Songs My Father Sang”


He is So Precious To Me

Text: Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)
Music: Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)

1. So precious is Jesus, my Savior, my King;
His praise all the day long with rapture I sing;
To Him in my weakness for strength I can cling,
For He is so precious to me.


Refrain:


For He is so precious to me,
For He is so precious to me;
’Tis heaven below, my Redeemer to know,
For He is so precious to me.


2. He stood at my heart’s door ’mid sunshine and rain,
And patiently waited an entrance to gain;
What shame that so long He entreated in vain,
For He is so precious to me.


3. I stand on the mountain of blessing at last,
No cloud in the heavens a shadow to cast,
His smile is upon me; the valley is past,
For He is so precious to me.


4. I praise Him because He appointed a place
Where someday, through faith in His wonderful grace,
I know I shall see Him, shall look on His face,
For He is so precious to me.

Philippians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
 
Verse 2 reminds me of the picture in Revelation 3:20 of Jesus standing at the door of our heart: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Other things about God that are precious:

Psalm 36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. (17) How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (18) If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

I Peter 1:18-20 “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

2 Peter 1:3-4: as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Day by Day

“Songs My Father Sang”

Day by Day

Text: Carolina Sandell Berg (1832-1903)
Music: Osscar Ahnfelt

1. Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

2. Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

3. Help me then, in every tribulation,

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Carolina, known as Lina to her friends, was one of Scandinavia’s best-know hymn writers, has been called the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden.”

This song first published in 1886 in her Korsblomman, which in English means “Bible Calendar.”

“Naturally, a calendar speaks of the passing of time. In this Bible Calendar, Lina included an allegory, a story about an old wall clock that had suddenly stopped working. In the story, the clock's dial decided to investigate why the mechanism had failed. Soon it was clear that the pendulum was at fault. In fact, the pendulum had gone on strike!

A discussion ensued between the dial and the pendulum. “How would you feel if you had to swing back and forth 86,400 times a day?” the pendulum complained.

“Try swinging only six times,” the dial said. The pendulum agreed, and admitted that six swings were not burdensome. But then he said, “It's not the six times or sixty, it's the thought of six million swings that disturbs me!”

The dial responded, “My dear pendulum, please bear this in mind. While in a single moment you can think of the millions of swings you must make in a lifetime, only one at a time will ever be required of you. And no matter how often you must make that movement, you will always be given a moment for each one.”

The pendulum then agreed that he had been foolish in going on strike. He resumed his work, and the clock once again could tell the time.

In her calendar, Lina Sandell commented this way. She said that it’s foolish to put future burdens upon the present moment. God's people are given only one day at a time, and for each day they receive new grace, new strength, and new help. She quoted Deuteronomy 33:25: “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” The text of this song of comfort and assurance followed. (http://www.moodychurch.org/radio/transcripts/storiesofbelovedhymns.html)

Several other verses to consider:

Deuteronomy 33:25 “…as thy days, so shall thy strength be.”

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

"Hiding In Thee"

“Songs My Father Sang”

Hiding In Thee

William O. Cushing (1823-1902)
Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908)

1. O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
Alone I would perish, undone would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.


Refrain:


Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.

2. In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its pow’r;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.


3. How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

W. O. Cushing was an American minister and hymn writer. After the death of his wife in 1870 and with declining health, he retired from the ministry and began writing hymns. He wrote over 300 hymns, including "Under His Wings."

Cushing had suffered a lot, yet he knew the care and comfort God gave to him. He truly understood that he could “hide” (find security) in the Lord.

Study these verses as you read through the hymn text.

Psalm 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Psalm 78:35 They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.

Psalm 94:22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

Psalm 61:1-3 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 

What other verses are you reminded of as you study the text of “Hiding In Thee?”

Now, make the song personal.  Sing it, "I'm hiding in Thee, I'm hiding in Thee. Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee."

"Take the Name of Jesus With You"

“Songs My Father Sang”

Has life been tough for you? Things not going the way you wanted them to go? Had some disappointments? Ever been discouraged? Felt like saying “Why?” a lot?


If you can answer “yes” to any of these, well, I guess you are human!

Some people really do have it tougher than others. Take Lydia Baxter for example. She was a bedridden invalid for most of her adult life. Yet, her home was a meeting place for preachers, evangelists, and Christian workers who came to seek her advice and counsel. In spite of lacking physical strength and having to spend much time in bed, she was a radiant person and a source of inspiration and encouragement to all who knew her. (William J. Reynolds, “Songs of Glory.” Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1990, 268.)

Her conversations with friends frequently involved studying Scripture. One conversation centered around the name of Jesus and someone mentioned Colossians 3:17: “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Such a discussion gave her the inspiration for the hymn, “Take The Name of Jesus With You,” which she wrote in 1870 at the age of sixty-one.

When she was asked why she could remain so cheerful, Lydia Baxter responded, “I have a very special armor. I have the name of Jesus. When the tempter tries to make me blue or despondent, I mention the name of Jesus, and he can’t get through to me anymore. When I feel badly and wonder if I will ever enjoy a good night’s sleep again, I take the name of Jesus and ask Him to give me a soothing balm of His presence. He does, and soon I drop off to sleep.” (William J. and Ardythe Petersen. “The Complete Book of Hymns.” Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 2006, 78.)

Verse 1 of “Take The Name of Jesus With You” deals with Jesus’ name bringing joy and comfort.

Verse 2 stated that Jesus’ name is a protecting shield from danger and gives the Christian strength in the middle of temptation.

In verse 3 we see how His loving arms receive us. These are days in which so many people are alienated from family, friends, homelands, etc. There is a desperate desire to have close relationships. We can have one with Jesus. He will draw you to Himself if you let Him.

Verse 4 relates that at the name of Jesus, we will bow before Him. Philippians 2:9-10 express that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. We will do that “when our journey is complete,” but let us do that now.

Study the text of this hymn. Meditate on the various themes in the song: The Name of Jesus, hope, joy, comfort.

Also, study some of the Scripture verses related to the text: Proverbs 18:10; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 3:17

My wife and I had a “spiritual mother” (spiritual mentor) who was in a similar situation as Lydia Baxter. She was an invalid who needed assistance getting from one place to another, yet countless hundreds of people over the years sought her out for prayer and spiritual encouragement. She spent many days in hospitals. Nurses, doctors and other hospital employees filled her room, just to be with her, as the love and beauty of Jesus radiated from her life. As a result, many lives were changed as they came to know the Jesus Who resided in our wonderful friend.

So, if you are facing discouragement or you have been “put on the shelf,” read the text of this hymn and think of the lady who wrote them. You, too, can be filled with the joy of Jesus. Your life can be useful and productive as you allow Jesus to work through you. Others will see that and be drawn to Him.

Take the Name of Jesus With You

Text: Lydia Baxter (1809-1874
Music: William Howard Doane (1832-1915)

1.  Take the Name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.


Refrain


Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.


2.  Take the Name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare;
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy Name in prayer.


3.  O the precious Name of Jesus!
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!


4.  At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.

"Blessed Assurance"

“Songs My Father Sang”

"Blessed Assurance" was composed by two of the most prolific Christian hymn writers in history. The text was written by a lady with over 8000 hymns to her credit and the music comes from a lady with over 500 hymns to her credit. One day, Fanny Crosby was visiting her dear friend, Phoebe Knapp. She played a tune for Fanny and asked her afterwards, "What does it say to you, Fanny?" Her reply was simple: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.” Fanny then proceeded to dictate the verses to her friend.

This text is filled with many benefits of knowing that “Jesus is mine!”

For example, take the last four phrases of verse one and make a study of each:

Heir of salvation,

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (KJV) or “those who inherit salvation?” (NIV)

Titus 3:7 “So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

purchase of God,

Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

Revelation 5:9 “And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Born of His Spirit,

Gal 4:29 “But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.”

John 3:4-8 “Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

washed in His blood.

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Blessed Assurance
Text: Fanny J. Crosby (1873)
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp (1873)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.


Refrain:


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.


Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

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.

"Under His Wings"

“Songs My Father Sang”

Psalm 91:1-4 says “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

This particular psalm has great meaning for our family. God certainly protects and in the following story, you will see the story of God’s protection in our dad’s life. Actually, before he was married, he had several “close calls” with death, but the Lord protected him.

UNDER HIS WINGS

as told by Arne T. Thomassen

“I had asked our chaplain if he had any books that I could read while we were waiting to move out. He said, “Look in my field desk and take what you want.” I took a book by O. Hallesby entitled "Under His Wings". We got orders to move out the next day and so I put the book in my barracks bag. We loaded into a 2 ½ ton truck and started down the road.

While passing another vehicle on a narrow road, we struck an anti-tank mine and the truck we were in blew up. The truck immediately burst into flames. One officer and eight enlisted men were injured. Pfc. Gustav I. Galschodt died on the way to the collecting point. Cpl. Orin P. Semingson died in the hospital. Pfc. Palmer Johnson died a few days later. Pfc. Norwald K, Moksvold, pfc. Edward K. Iverson, and Pfc. Leonard E. Larson were injured and evacuated. Pfc. Karl K. Kjendal and Pfc. Harold E. Abrahamson were slightly injured but remained on duty. Captain Howard M. Winholtz received shrapnel wounds and was evacuated. The guard who was from another company was killed instantly. T/Sgt. AndrewA. Hall, T/5 Arne Thomassen and Pfc. Ivan Hennings, who also were in the truck, helped in the rescue.

What happened to me? Well I got a ruptured ear drum. I told Sgt. Hall that half of my head felt numb. Do you know what he said? "That's normal for you." Real encouraging I'd say. (Sgt. Hall was a great guy).

This happened at a bivouac area one-half miles south of Essay, France. As you can imagine, I never got to finish reading the book "Under His Wings". Many years later, I went to a garage sale in Glenwood, Minnesota. Our neighbors, the Oliver Hoplins, had tables with books on them. As I sorted through the books, what did I find but the book "Under His Wings." I was able to finish reading it and was thankful to God that on that day, August l9,1944, He kept me Under His Wings.”

Dad loved the hymn from which the title of the book was taken, “Under His Wings.” This is based on Psalm 91:4. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

"Under His Wings"

Lyrics: William O. Cushing (1823 – 1902)
Music: Ira D. Sankey (1840 – 1908)

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.


Refrain:


Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.


Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.


Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.