Songspiration: “Amazing Grace”

The song, “Amazing Grace”, has been sung throughout the ages since it was written by John Newton in 1779. Some facts that you may not know about Newton’s famous hymn are:

“The original title was ‘Faith’s Review and Expectation’, not ‘Amazing Grace’.
The song was written in 1779 based on Newton’s study of I Chronicles 17:16-17.
A nearly forgotten verse that Newton added near the end of ‘Amazing Grace’ were the words: ‘The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; But God, Who called me here below, shall be forever mine.'”

This past weekend we attended a memorial service for my sister’s son who died at the age of 41. My husband, a licensed minister, talked about his life and asked those present to remember all the good things that came from his life. He was also a son, brother, husband, father (two daughters), and a friend to so many. I was asked if I could share in song and “Amazing Grace” was the first one that came to mind. I sang it at the last memorial service that we attended and the song is one that everyone can relate to.

So what exactly is grace? According to the Oxford Dictionary…

Grace is (1) simple elegance or refinement of movement; and (2) (In Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.”

There are several scriptures mentioning grace as follows:

II Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

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.”

Ephesians 4:7: “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Ephesians 2:8-10: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In reading these passages, we realize that grace is a gift from God because He “apportioned it” to each and every one of us.

At the beginning of “Amazing Grace”, Newton also mentions another word: wretch. He said…”Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…” In what connotation then is the word wretch used? The Oxford Dictionary describes a wretch as follows:

“A wretch is…Old English wrecca (also in the sense of ‘banished person’) of West Germanic origin, related to German Recke ‘warrior, hero’, also to the verb wreak.”

Because of the ‘dangers, toils, and snares’ that Newton found his life following, he recognized that he needed someone other than himself to lift him from his sinful life (a wretch) that he had been following and asked God to deliver him, according to a summary of Newton’s life written by Robert J. Morgan.

Without the help of God, it is easy to get caught up in the “things of the world” and the “temptations” like my sister’s son. His life ended tragically, but now he is in the arms of God.

May we always remember God’s grace in our lives. It is a gift to all of us and a reassurance of God’s love.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Alphabet Hymns: Beloved Hymns to Sing

I have always been fascinated with “lists” so here is another list for your enjoyable: Alphabet Hymns along with the author, date written, and scripture reference from the NIV translation.

A: “Amazing Grace”: John Newton, 1779
“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

B. “Be Thou My Vision” : Irish Hymn, 8th Century
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19

C. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”: Robert Robinson, 1758
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9

D. “Day By Day”: Karolina Sandell-Berg, 1865
“The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

E. “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”: William Whiting, 1860
“…indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4

F. “Face to Face”: Carrie E. Breck, 1898
“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” Revelation 1:7

G. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”: Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5

H. “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”: Civilla D. Martin, 1905
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.” Matthew 10:19

I. “In The Garden”: C. Austin Miles, 1912
“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.” John 20:14

J. “Just As I Am”: Charlotte Elliott, 1836
“”All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37

K. “King of My Life (Lead Me To Calvary)”: Jennie Evelyn Hussey, 1921
“And when they came to the place called the Skull (Calvary), there they crucified Him, along with the criminals–one of his right, the other on his left.” Luke 23:33

L. “Like A River Glorious”: Frances R. Havergal, 1876
“For this is what the Lord says: I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.” Isaiah 66:12

M. “My Jesus I Love Thee”: William R. Featherston, 1864
“We love because He first loved us.” I John 4:19

N. “Nearer, My God To Thee”: Sarah F. Adams, 1890
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” Genesis 28:12

O. “The Old Rugged Cross”: George Bennard, 1913
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

P. “Precious Lord Take My Hand”: Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

R. “Rock of Ages”: Augustus M. Toplady, 1776
“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:29

S. “Search Me, O God”: J. Edwin Orr, 1936
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

T. “There Is A Fountain”: William Cowper, 1772
“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished…” Romans 3:25

U. “Under His Wings”: William O. Cushing, 1896
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

V. “Victory In Jesus”: Eugene Bartlett, 1939
“But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57

W. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Z. “Yesterday, Today, Forever”: Albert B. Simpson, 1890
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Blessings on you and happy singing,
Yvonne