Hymn Sing

I attended two different worship services today and the song that spoke more to me than any other that we sang was the one hymn in each of the music sets. They are songs that I sung in my childhood. Good ol' Southern gospel singin'. I know the tunes well and yet, the lyrics hit me like it was the first time I have ever seen them. I would like to share them with you (read the words, even if you know the song). There seems to be a theme: JESUS IS TRUSTWORTHY!

My Hope is Built

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

(Chorus) On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

(Chorus) Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

These were important words for me to hear today. I've been struggling and just this afternoon admitted to some dear friends my need of more faith. These words caught me off guard, as I sang they choked me and I could not even whisper them. Instead, I stood like a statue, allowing only a few tears to fill my eyes.

How easily I forget the goodness of our Lord! How large my sorrows and trials seem when my eyes are on myself. How alone I feel in times of stress and in moments of confusion. In the storms of life, Jesus is the anchor, my rock. When my soul is weak and troubled, only Christ is my hope. It is Jesus' righteousness, not mine, that I cling to. The Savior never leaves me, He is always there. I need grace to trust the Lord even more!
(Click on the title of each hymn to be taken to a website to hear the music and learn more about the history of the song.)