Scenes of Grace

The oldest hymn still sung by the church was probably written by Moses.  It is Psalm 90.  The father of modern hymnody, Isaac Watts, paraphrased that psalm in his hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”.  The third stanza of Watts’ hymn is from the second verse of the psalm.  “Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame; from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.”  It is in this point of “everlasting” past that we see our first scene of grace in the Scriptures.

In First Peter 1:18-20 we discover a scene that took place “Before the hills in order stood”.  Peter tells us that we are saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ that was “ordained” to be shed for our sins BEFORE the foundation of the world.  Before we were, God had prepared grace for our needs.  This God who was from everlasting and will be the same to everlasting is the God of grace.  It was His nature before He made a single atom of all of creation.  It is His nature to oversee with grace all the atoms of His creation.  It will be by His grace that all the atoms are recreated in perfection for eternity. 

Isaac Watts wrote, “To endless years the same”.  Malachi recorded God’s word to the returned remnant of Israel in chapter 3 of his book.  Here God said, “For I am the Lord; I do not change.”  The author of Hebrews said of Jesus Christ, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”  The God of grace, who would plan before He made man or any other creation to sacrifice His own Son for our offenses against Him, is the same God of grace who cares for His flock every day.  He changes not.  The power He displayed in creating the heavens and the earth is the same power He uses today to care for His church.  In Matthew 28 Jesus said to His disciples, “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye.”  The power of Christ goes with His church every day.

It is easy to see why we can title Isaac Watts’ hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”.   The God of power and grace is the God who has helped us even before time began.  Reflect on these rich words, “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!”  

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