I CANNOT TELL WHY HE, WHOM ANGELS WORSHIP

I CANNOT TELL WHY HE, WHOM ANGELS WORSHIP – EMHB 809

Author: William Young Fullerton (1857-1932)

Scripture Reference: Philippians 2 : 7 & 8 “Made himself of no reputation taking the form of a bond servant and coming in the likeness of men…… He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on the Cross”.

This is a Hymn that traces the Christian journey from the Birth of Christ to the commission given to all men and even entreats us to go and concretise that commission.

The Author of this Hymn, William Young Fullerton was born in Belfast Ireland on 8th March 1857. Fullerton heard Charles Spurgeon preaching the name of Jesus when he was a young man and offered his life to God. Spurgeon became his friend and mentor and Fullerton eventually wrote Spurgeon’s biography.

“I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship, should set His love upon the sons of men”, ponders William Fullerton. The sacrificial love of Jesus Christ who left his heavenly abode to take up residence in a manger in Bethlehem, who suffered humiliation on the Cross where a Crown of thorns was placed on his head and spear thrust through his heart because of you and I (sons of men).

Fullerton however concludes that although he couldn’t tell why Jesus had to go through all these pains to win nations back and claim his earthly heritage, however, he was convinced that “……the skies will thrill with rapture and myriad, myriad human voices will sing, and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer: At last the Saviour, Saviour of the World is King!.

Let us all unite our voices with the rest of the World to sing, - At last the Saviour of the World is King!

EMHB 809

I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary,
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and laboured,
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His Peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the Cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the broken-hearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For Yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is here.

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of East and West, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour
When He the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer;
At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King!

Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com

YES GOD IS GOOD

YES GOD IS GOOD – EMHB 968

Author: John Hampden Gurney (1802 – 1862)

Tune: “Williams” from Tempti Carmina (1829)

Introduction

John Hampden Gurney was born in London on the 15th of August, 1802 and was educated at the Trinity College, Cambridge. Gurney entered the Church after studying for a legal career and for twenty-three years he was Curate at Lutterworth in Leicestershire and later became Rector of St. Mary’s in Marylebone. Amongst other Hymns he wrote are “Fair waved the golden corn” and “Lord as to thy dear cross we flee.

“Yes God is Good” is listed under ‘Times and Seasons’ in the Methodist Hymn Book. The Hymn proclaims the goodness of God in earth and sky, in everything that God created and expresses a sense of Harmony between the living and organic in God’s creation.

The sun keeps his trackless way. The merry birds prolong the strain. The roaring seas and human voices all unite to proclaim – “Yes God is Good”.

People of God, let us join all the heavenly bodies and all nature to sing this wonderful Hymn to the glory of the everlasting God.

HYMN 968

1. Yes, God is good – in earth and sky,
From ocean depths and spreading wood,
Ten thousand voices seem to cry:
God made us all, and God is good.

2. The sun that keeps his trackless way,
And downward pours his golden flood,
Night’s sparkling hosts, all seem to say
In accents clear, that God is good.

3. The merry birds prolong the strain,
Their song with every spring renewed;
And balmy air, and falling rain,
Each softly whispers : God is good.

4. I hear it in the rushing breeze;
The hills that have for ages stood,
The echoing sky and roaring seas,
All swell the chorus : God is good.

5. Yes, God is good, all nature says,
By God’s own hand with speech endued;
And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.

6. For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,
But chiefly for our heavenly food;
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,
These prompt our song, that God is good.

Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com

GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY – EMHB 503

Author: William Cowper (1731-1800)

Tune: Dundee (1615) or London New (1635)

Introduction:

William Cowper (1731-1800) produced some of the finest religious verses in English Language despite a life spent in acute mental misfortune.

Cowper came from a distinguished literary and ecclesiastical family. His father was a Chaplain to King George II and his mother was a descendant of John Donne, the metaphysical poet and dean of St. Paul.

Cowper went to Westminster School where he showed considerable promise as a versifier in both Latin and English and then read for the Bar. However from age 21 he began to be affected by severe bouts of Melancholia this continued until he was committed to a lunatic asylum in the early 1760s and was never again capable of uninterrupted work.

In 1767 at the invitation of John Newton he went to him in Olney Buckinghamshire where he was looked after by a Clergyman’s widow - Mrs. Unwin. Together Cowper and Newton wrote Hymns to be sung at weekly prayer meetings held in Olney Church. They also collaborated on a Hymn Book which was published in 1779 with 67 entries by Cowper and 280 by Newton.

“God moves in a mysterious way” was written by Cowper in the early 1770s when he was in an almost permanent state of depression alleviated by occasional periods of calm. Cowper introduced Jesus’ words to Simon Peter in John 13 : 7 in this Hymn – “What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter”. There is a story that he wrote this Hymn after being saved from a suicide attempt.

This Hymn is a Hymn of hope and thousands of Christians have taken it so and it has given them a lot of encouragement.

The 3rd verse – “Ye fearful saints fresh courage take” was said to have roused the Spirit of hundreds of Lancashire Mill workers in 1840s when they were told that the depression in their trade was going to lead to the closure of the works and of course an inevitable loss of jobs.

The last verse has a strong message of assurance for those who are perplexed as we all are at times by the seeming irrationality and arbitrariness of God’s ways. The common tune is from the Scottish Psalter.

EMHB 503

1. God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

2. Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace,
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

5. His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour,
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

6. Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain,
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com

WHAT CAN WASH MY SIN AWAY

 KIL’ O LE W’ ESE MI NU – 

YMHB 555

Author: Robert Wadsworth Lowry

Bi a ba so okan wa di otun pelu Oro Olorun, ti a si gba lati ma rin ninu agbara iwa laye Olorun ninu wa, automatically the blood of Jesus removes the stains of our old sins which we have done and makes us clean in our soulish heart, till we can no more remember the guilt of the bad emotion that might have come to us because of sin. (Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:10; Heb. 9:14).

Once we choose to confess our sins, God our father in Heaven is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. The moment we confess our sins, the fellowship with our Heavenly Father will be restored because of His faithfulness to perform His word (I John 1:9; Jer. 1:12; II Tm. 2:13).

We are not forgiven because of the act of our confession but our confession brings the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on behalf of us on the cross once again before God the father and this are forgiven (I John 2:1-2).

The Author of this Hymn Robert Wadsworth Lowly wrote this poem “Nothing but the blood of Jesus” in 19^th century. Ever since then this Hymn has been a all time favourite Song for the theme of the Blood of Jesus. In this Song we can see clearly that the blood of Jesus was shed on the cross for our pardon, cleansing and wholeness in our spirit, soul and body which has been tainted by sin nature.

Our forefather Adam took one eternal wrong choice when tested by God and the result has been devastating. Sin nature came into all of us to control and destroy us without God and His guidance. (Rom. 5:12). We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. So our sin were washed through His blood in such a way.

Now my Brothers and Sisters, we are completely forgiven of our past (Col. 2:13-14). Praise the Lord!

With this please join me as we Sing this Hymn.

YMHB 555

1.    Kil’ o le w’ ese mi mu,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu;

Kil’ o le tun wo mi san,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu,

‘Yebiye l’ eje na

T’ o so mi di mimo,

Ko s’ isun miran mo,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu.

2.    Ko s’ ohun le we mi mo,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu;

Nko l’ ebe mi fun ‘fiji,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu.

‘Yebiye l’ eje na, etc.

3.    Etutu f’ ese ko si,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu;

Ise rere kan ko si,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu,

‘Yebiye l’ eje na, etc.

4.    Nko ni ireti, miran,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu;

Nko si ododo miran,

Ko si, lehin eje Jesu,

‘Yebiye l’ eje na, etc.

Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com

 

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS

There shall be showers of Blessings -

SH 221

Without the beautiful benefits of the season of winter, earth cannot produce the precious seeds and harvest of spring and fall.

God in His infinite mercy gave us the four seasons for a purpose and each affects the other three.

Today’s verse and song speaks of showers of blessing, penned down by man called Daniel W. Whittle. Daniel was born on November 22, 1840 and died on 4^th March, 1901. Whittle served as a major in the civil war, where he lost his right arm and was known thereafter as Major Whittle.

On one cold whether day as Soldier were returning home from struggle, there was a dying young Soldier but because Daniel had been seen reading a Bible he obeyed a request to pray with the dying Soldier. It was at this young man’s sick bed that he asked God for forgiveness.

Major Whittle then prayed with the young Soldier and the Soldier found Christ before passing away. The Lord used this situation to draw Major Whittle and the young dying Soldier to Himself.

What a blessed story this was to read! After the war, Major Whittle became treasurer of a watch company. It was in this company’s quiet vault that he committed his life to the Gospel.

Major Whittle not only wrote this blessed Hymn but also wrote two more: The Banner of the Cross and Christ liveth in me.

Please enjoy this Song as its words bring hope and encourage us to seek after God.

SH 221

1.    There shall be showers of blessings

This is the promise of love

There shall be seasons refreshing

Sent from the Saviour above.

Showers of blessing

Showers of blessing we need

Mercy drops round us are falling

But for the showers we plead.

2.    There shall be showers of blessing

Precious reviving again;

Over the hills and valleys,

Sound of abundance of rain.

3.    There shall be showers of blessing

Send them upon us, O Lord!

Grant to us now a refreshing,

Come, and now honour Thy word.

4.    There shall be showers of blessing

Oh that today they might fall,

Now as to God we’re confessing,

Now as on Jesus we call.

Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com

 

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, LIVING STILL

Faith of our Fathers, living still – 

EMHB 402

The history of the Christian faith is a rich heritage of countless people whose faith in God were considered more dearly than life itself.

This Hymn, “Faith of our fathers” written by Fredrick W. Faber in the 19^th century obviously has to do with Christians suffering persecution and the inspiration that their heroic witness gave to their fellow Christians.

Indeed, we are always inspired, by stories of Christians who maintain their faith in the face of persecution or death such as Paul and Silas, John the Baptiser and many early Church fathers. Also this Hymn is a story of victory in the midst of the struggle of success built on sacrifices.

People of God, whatever we are facing today in the cause of the gospel, it is normal. The Church’s life from the very beginning suffered persecution and is still part of its life today. If we can’t witness the Roman persecution of Christians in the 1^st century so also this pervasive persecution in various Countries around the World today…… In China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria and many others Countries.

Dear household of God, the three stanzas found in our Hymnal are very usable for evangelical worship. These can be re-interpreted to challenge our commitment and loyalty to the gospel that our spiritual fathers often died to defend.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us enjoy this symbolic hymn together.

EMHB 402

1.    Faith of our fathers, living still

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword,

O how our hearts beat high with joy

Whene’er we hear that glorious word.

Faith of our fathers! Holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death.

2.    Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,

Were still in heart and conscience free;

And blest would be their children’s fate,

Though they, like them, should die for thee.

3.    Faith of our fathers! God’s great power

Shall soon all nations win for thee;

And through the truth that comes from God

Mankind shall then indeed be free.

4.    Faith of our fathers! We will love

Both friend and foe in all our strife,

And preach thee, too, as love knows how,

By kindly words and virtuous life.

Adesegun Akitoye

http://www.homebusinessassurance.com

WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO MY GOD FOR ALL HIS MERCY'S STORE

1.    What shall I render to my God for all His mercy's store? –

 EMHB 399

Tune: University

Charles Wesley the author of this Hymn was born on 18^th December, 1707, in Epworth Lincolnshire. He studied at Christ Church College, Oxford, where he formed a small group of fellow students the “Oxford Methodists”, or the “Holy Club”, later joined by his brother John Wesley, the founder of the group. In 1735, he was ordained and accompanied his brother John Wesley to Georgia as Secretary to Governor James Oglethrope, returning to England just the following year. He was the tireless lieutenant of his more famous brother.

Like many people at that time, they found the worship in the Church of England quiet tedious and monotonous, so they launched the movement with a renewed emphasis on emotional involvement, singing and studying the Bible. Charles Wesley died on March 29, 1788. Many of his Hymns remain as popular and as favorites among Christians.

Scriptural reference for this Hymn is Psalm 116:12 “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits towards me?

“University”, the tune for this rendition was composed by Sir. J. Randall (1715-1799), who was a choir-boy at the Chapel Royal, and was educated in Music.

As we journey onwards in the pathway of life, we ought frequently to look back, and standing, as it were, on the shadowy side of the hill, review the way by which God has led us. If we would keep alive our gratitude – if we would have it to increase more and more, until like a holy flame, it burns within us – we must often, in thought, retrace the varied turning and windings of our earthly pilgrimage.

Let us enjoy the tune “University”

EMHB 399

1.    What shall I render to my God

For all His mercy’s store?

I’ll take the gifts He hath bestowed,

And humbly ask for more.

2.    The sacred cup of saving grace

I will with thanks receive,

And all His promises embrace,

And to His glory live.

3.    My vows I will to His great name

Before His people pay,-

And all I have, and all I am,

Upon His altar lay.

4.    Thy lawful servant, Lord, I owe

To Thee whate’er is mine,

Born in Thy family below,

And by redemption Thine.

5.    Thy hands created me, Thy hands

From sin have set me free,

The mercy that hath loosed my bands

Hath bound me fast to Thee.

6.    The God of all-redeeming grace

My God I will proclaim,

Offer the sacrifice of praise,

And call upon His name.

7.    Praise Him, ye saints, the God of love,

Who hath my sins forgiven,

Till, gathered to the church above,

We sing the songs of heaven.