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2008-09-18 - Precious Name
Eph 5:18-20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that
is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking
to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks
for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
(NASB)
I love to sing. I probably drive a few people to distraction from time to
time without meaning to do so. I have sung in choirs since I was a small
boy. And the lyrics have always drawn me in to find out exactly what the
author is trying to express. There are times when a melody will catch my
attention and I will go searching for the lyrics and be disappointed. Other
times, they lyrics can put handles on thoughts and feelings that are difficult
to properly express with spoken words. The handles give the listener a way
to grab on to the power or simple joy of a thought when the words are coupled
with the music - deep and strong or soft and sweet - that adds dimension
to those words. From Pop to Classical, and Rock to Hymns, I love music.
Precious Name, Oh how sweet;
Hope of Earth and Joy of Heaven
Excerpt from "Take the Name of Jesus with You"
Lydia Baxter (1809-1874) pub. 1870, music William H. Doane, pub. 1871,
public domain
Precious Name: The name being considered in this hymn is, of course,
Jesus. In our meditations that name becomes very sweet when we begin to touch
the thought of all that He did to relink mankind that had turned away
deliberately from their Creator back to the Father. When we could not help
ourselves He opened the door to Heaven again and paid the terrible price
to carve out that narrow way home for each of us. (Eph 2:1-7)
That thought alone becomes almost unimaginable given a little thought, but
there is some connecting tissue here in these words that follow.
Hope of Earth: He is the only hope of this world wracked by
sin. (Acts 4:11-12) Even those of us who manage to walk the way, and
I will in no way put myself anywhere near the front of that group, will stumble
and fall. The temptations of this world call to each of us, and anyone who
thinks they have mastered them will likely be the next to need a hand up
out of the gravel. Jesus Himself told us that He is the only way, the only
hope and the only life that leads to eternity with God. (John 14:6) The definite
article is used - the, singular, unique, only - way. But in a spiritually
dark world, that solitary light burns brightly in the night carried by those
who will take the name of Jesus with them. Like a star in the sky that light
points the way home to others around us who need hope.
Joy of Heaven: Imagine the day that Jesus set aside his glory and
arrived in Bethlehem as a tiny baby, son to Mary and step-son to Joseph.
The cost is uncountable. These were undoubtedly two very special people.
But even they both were members of a fallen race that needed the salvation
that their Son, the Son of God, would declare to the world. We can only begin
to reach distantly for the thought that would describe what Jesus left to
come and help this rebellious world. The angels sang His praises and worshiped
the three persons of the Trinity constantly. He was the Joy of Heaven, and
the angels stood silently watching, maybe not understanding, as the race
Jesus came to save crucified Him.
On the morning of the third day Jesus shattered the power of death and dissolved
the power of sin over us as he left the tomb. Forty days later He returned
to Heaven where He waits for each on who has accepted the free gift that
His death and resurrection purchased. To those who will humble themselves
and admit their failings, and ask forgiveness and turn away from their old
ways, God waits to call them His sons and daughters. (Rom 9:25-27) Unfathomable
grace.
Selah.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
2016-03-24
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