My mother would sometimes send me an audio cassette tape of a sermon from Wheaton Bible Church that had particularly impressed or touched her. It will not surprise you that that sermon generally either failed to touch me or, more often, I chose not to listen. Ironically, once or twice I brought home a CD of one or two of the messages delivered during an ISI national staff gathering, thinking that your mom could be inspired as had I been. That ambition would fall short too because, after all, it was *being there in that moment* that could not be reproduced. (To be sure sometimes merely listening after the fact can prove beneficial.)
Well, you were not at Blacknall Church yesterday morning, January 19, during the 11am worship gathering. Much of what occurred - singing and preaching particularly - ministered grace and peace to my own soul. That seldom occurs in the manner that it did yesterday. Possibly, some part of listening in may do for you what you need presently.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
Well, you were not at Blacknall Church yesterday morning, January 19, during the 11am worship gathering. Much of what occurred - singing and preaching particularly - ministered grace and peace to my own soul. That seldom occurs in the manner that it did yesterday. Possibly, some part of listening in may do for you what you need presently.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
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