For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold
from them that walk uprightly.
from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11
The hymn Amazing Grace is very popular. Sometimes popular becomes common if we’re used to hearing it all the time. The title of this hymn is just two simple common words.
Websters 1828 dictionary states the definition of these words as follows:
AMAZING
Confounding with fear, surprise or wonder.
Very wonderful; exciting astonishment, or perplexity.
GRACE
Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God,
the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him
the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him
And if by grace, then it is no more of works…. Romans 11:6
Webster's 1828 definition of GRACE
If you put the two definitions together you have:
Very wonderful, free unmerited love and favor of God.
The source of all the benefits men receive from him.
John Newton, the composer of this hymn said:
Though I am not what I ought to be,
nor what I wish to be, nor yet what I hope to be,
I can truly say I am not what I once was . . . .
By the grace of God I am what I am!
Composed in the 1779, this hymn is probably the most popular hymn in the English language. John Newton was a slave trader before coming to Christ. We are all sinners who have a choice to be saved by God’s GRACE, as Mr. Newton writes about below.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Linked to: Free Pretty Things for You,
BEAUTIFUL ABBY! :) I SO enjoy Hymns & truly wonder why so many young people don't! Hymns have SO MUCH MEANING & DEPTH to them. (It truly shows, young people don't listen to the words of a song &/or they think they're too slow?) LOL It's so important to LISTEN! Thank you Abby for your inspiration today!
ReplyDeleteProfoundly beautiful thoughts today, Abby. And the most exquisite graphic to complement them. If I have ever heard or sung this song without a tear forming, it was a rare moment. It just has that effect on me every time.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this.:)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post, my dear friend. Amazing Grace is certainly a well-known hymn, in fact we sang it on Sunday :) Yet it is a song that still brings tears to my eyes whenever I read/ sing the words.
ReplyDeleteYour graphic is stunning! You are very talented, sweet Abby. Hugs to you!
Truely His Grace is Amazing - and so precious.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
I always appreciate your little history lessons. Thank you for sharing these pretty devotionals.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a very popular hymn even with the unsaved. I think, "Do they listen to the words? Do they truly understand and believe them? Have they seen themselves a wretch in need of God's grace, love, and salvation?" This hymn is not about "religion" or good works; it's about why Christ came to die on the cross; it's about how we are saved ---because of God's amazing grace!
ReplyDeleteJohn Newton, is my 11th great grandfather. His wife's death certificate mentioned symptoms that we call Lupus today, and it has been in my family every generation since. He actually wrote a whole book of Hymns. He was a slave trader on a ship and lightning hit the boat and he had a vision. He stopped at the next port and let the slaves go free and converted to a God-fearing man and preacher. We have also had a preacher in every generation since. 3 at the moment. Thank you Abby for writing a blog post about him. It was interesting to see that picture of him when he was older, I do see a family resemblance. I have seen other drawings of him but not that one.
ReplyDelete