The great hymns of the faith can bring consolation to weary souls and point hearts back to Christ. When you are hurting, be reminded of God’s grace-filled promises by singing a hymn!
Download "Amazing Grace" at joniradio.org. Order your copy of "Timeless Hymns."
I am a really big fan of music in the night!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and I think I better explain that. The other night I was searching for fresh words to pray to the Lord Jesus. And as you know, I struggle with pain when I sleep, but I just don’t like to lie there, paralyzed and pitying myself. It only makes pain worse. Well, I reached back into my mind and memory and came up with this stanza from “Jesus, I am Resting, Resting.” It goes…
Oh, how great thy lovingkindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea;
Oh, how marvelous thy goodness
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is, thine,
Know thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.
Right there, right there with that last line; that’s what helps me most in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep. Because even through pain, I know I am wealthy in the grace of God. And I know – I would stake my life on it – I know the certainty of God’s promises and have made them mine.
A wonderful old hymn like this one – and I could keep singing all the stanzas, really I could – but a hymn like this underscores what helps me most when I hurt. I know the wealth of grace that’s available to me, and I know the certainty of the promises of God, and I’ve made them mine! Oh, to be able to sing about that, even if in a whisper. To sing of God’s grace and promises, especially when you hurt. I don’t know how to describe it, but these precious hymns of the faith are my companions in seasons of loneliness; they are my comrades when I’m fighting discouragement. Their lyrics pour out consolation when I’m weary, and they drag me back to the fold of Christ when my heart goes astray. Best of all, these hymns provide rousing words of worship that are fitting for the King of the universe. Even in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep.
And you know what? I started memorizing most of those hymns when I was a kid. And it inspired me to write a special book I’ve written on some of the most treasured hymns of the faith. It’s called “Timeless Hymns for Family Worship,” complete with background stories on each hymn, devotional reflections, and the lyrics so everybody in the family can memorize them. So take a minute, and listen to one of my favorites…
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I was once lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Oh, what wealth of grace is ours in Christ Jesus. Oh, to know the certainty of God’s grace-filled promises. Hey, good news: you can download this hymn today at joniradio.org. Put it on your playlist, and get your kids singing along. Because the Bible says to sing and make music in your heart, and you and your family can do just that with my new book “Timeless Hymns for Family Worship.” Get all the details, and get inspired at joniradio.org.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
© Joni and Friends