If I could travel back in time I
would like to meet two great women hymnists, Lena Sandell and Frances Havergal. Their hymns of worship and consecration have
greatly enriched the singing of Christ’s church. Their heart of devotion and faith minister
the hope, grace and peace of God to all who will meditate on their words. One of my absolute favorite hymns is by Lena
Sandell, “Children of the Heavenly Father”.
The first line reads, “Children of the Heavenly Father, safely in His
bosom gather. Nesting bird nor star in
heaven such a refuge e’er was given.”
God’s grace is the safest place to
be. Men seek refuge in all manner of
things. They seek safety in financial
security. They seek safety in military
might. They seek safety in medical
technology. They seek safety in political power. They seek safety in knowledge. They
constantly seek safety in the things that they can make or hold. Lena Sandell knew that safety comes from none
of those. Safety comes from the grace of
God. It is only as we throw ourselves on
the mercy of His grace that we will ever learn or ever possess true safety.
Jesus tells us that the world of
Noah’s day is no different than the world of today. People were running around doing all the
things that people do to have a happy and secure life. One man, however, sought something
different. He sought God. That man was Noah and Genesis six tells us
that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
By grace he and his family were saved when all the rest of the world
perished. Grace was the safest place to
be.
Grace will comfort us with its
safety in every storm of life. Grace
will assure us with its safety in every trial we face. Grace will uphold us with its safety in every
need that we confront. Grace will wrap us safely in the arms of Jesus where our
hope and peace and joy is secured by His mighty power forever and forever. America’s greatest female hymnist, Fanny
Crosby, wrote these words that echo those of Lena Sandell. “Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His
gentle breast; there by His love o’er shaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.” Rest in the safe arms of God’s grace
today.
Until Monday, my friends, may the
good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of
faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the
saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that
confession this weekend. Amen
You
may also enjoy this inspirational devotional book, The Gospel According to Molly,
available
here:
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