Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Scripture Thursday ~ A Dim Reflection

For now we see in a mirror, dimly,
but then face to face.  Now I know in part,
but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV)

The scripture I chose this week is found in 1 Corinthians 13:12, and talks of looking into a glass/mirror.  Mirrors were not always crystal clear like they are today.  In Bible times, they were made from polished metals, creating a vague image when looked into.  Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians compares this verse to our spiritual vision, which is dim, we don’t completely understand it.

Free scripture digital graphic

My eyesight is a source of frustration for me.  I’m extremely nearsighted and my vision fluctuates at different times.  I know when I get to heaven and see Jesus face to face, I’ll be able to see crystal clear.  Not only will my eyesight be clear, but my spiritual vision will be clear, the eyes of my heart. 

Paul’s confidence in this glorious future gave him the strength he needed to face his earthly trials.  He wrote in Romans 8:18:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  


Blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby had NO earthly vision.  I know from studying her life and her hymns, what she lacked in actual vision with her eyes, she made up for it with the eyes of her heart.  She wrote thousands of hymns that touched people deeply, still today.
Frances Jane Crosby
 
One particular hymn she held back and didn’t publish right away.   During a meeting at which she was asked to give her testimony, she shared this: 

There is one hymn I have writ­ten which has never been pub­lished.
I call it my soul’s po­em. Somet­imes when I am trou­bled,
I re­peat it to my­self, for it brings comfort to my heart. 


That hymn was titled
Saved by Grace (1891)
the lyrics are below.

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!

Chorus
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in Heav’n for me.

Some day, when fades the golden sun
Beneath the rosy tinted west,
My blessèd Lord will say, Well done!
And I shall enter into rest.

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Savior opens the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight.


Free hymn printable Saved by Grace

One of my favorite quotes by Fanny Crosby is:  

  When I get to heaven,
the first face that shall ever gladden my sight
will be that of my Savior! 



 




18 comments:

  1. Abby....that first image is stunning. Oh my goodness. It's a perfect match for that scripture.
    Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

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  2. Your image is beautiful as usual, Abby, and the Scripture and quotes divine. I thought I'd link up before I head to bed, but I look forward to returning tomorrow morning to take it all in slowly, savoring each word. You already know this is what I like to do. :)
    Thank you for hosting.
    Much love.

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  3. This is so wonderful. I had no idea of the unique flavor of Scripture Thursday. What a blessing! Though I am not talented in these ways, I know some who are. I'm looking around for a button to place on my sidebar pronto.

    Fanny Crosby is well known to most Christians; however, I had never heard that story about one of my family's favorites. (My mother requested that song to be sung at her memorial service, which it was.) Those words are comfort and faith and hope. No wonder Miss Crosby called them her "soul's poem."

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  4. I enjoyed reading this post I love the hymn!! so full of the hope we all need!
    happy March!

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  5. Yes, I knew I needed to come back this morning and take this in unrushed. Would you believe it if I told you that what ministered to me mostly was tucked in the middle and would have gone unnoticed by my focus on that beautiful hymn? Yep, it was actually Romans 8:18. You have no idea how much I needed to read that verse this morning. He went ahead and led you to tuck it in there knowing how much it would minister to me today...and maybe to others too.
    Thank you for Scripture Thursday, Abby.
    Love and blessings.

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  6. Thanks for the wonderful post. I had never heard of this hymn. What wonderful lyrics.

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  7. Sheila Thomas HillMarch 1, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    Well, Friend, I'm grateful for that old hym, having just sat here and sang it through, with tears pouring down my face. It is so AMAZING how the Holy Spirit ministers to each one of us in such diverse ways based on our experiences and personalities and needs. Who else knows us as well? Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, Abby.
    Sheila in Spruce Head, Maine

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  8. Abby: Thank you SO MUCH for this encouraging post. I needed it today. Your love for the Lord is such a pleasure to share, and I pray that He will bless YOU for being a blessing to me (and others). To God be the glory, and thanks be to you, my friend in Christ. Also, thanks for linking up with us at Word Art Wednesday. Hope your week is wonderful!
    Hugs from your Sister in Christ,
    Karen

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  9. I'm finally getting around to responding to this post. Like Marcia, I started to read it in the morning but wanted to fully absorb it as you create such wonderful meaningful posts.

    It's funny because when I was reading it, my partner said something about how he will have to wear eyeglasses all day today as he was having a bad eye day. Sometimes he needs them and sometimes he does not. A few months back he started to use a solution in his eyes that contains distilled water, raw vinegar and raw honey. It hurts pretty bad when he puts the solution in his eyes, but it clears up his vision! He hasn't done it in a while which is why his eyes weren't so good today, lol!

    This is the first time I've heard of "Saved by Grace". I would love to learn to read music some time. I'm going to look it up to see if I can hear it played. The lyrics are beautiful, right along with the beautiful image and scripture you've shared today!

    Thanks for featuring my design resources in a giveaway! :)

    ::hugs:: Sü

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  10. Thank you for introducing me to Frances Jane Crosby. This morning during my prayer time I was "longing" for heaven, when we will be in perfect health, no more mourning, no more stress! Indeed there is much to look forward to! We will meet Jesus, who gives meaning to our lives!

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  11. What a beautiful hymn! Thank you for sharing it with us!

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  12. Beautiful Scripture. I'm extremely nearsighted, as well, and can relate. I'm so thankful for contact lenses!

    Thanks for being my newest follower. I'm happy to follow you back.

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  13. Good morning Abby...shared your post on my blog today. Thanks again for this sweet post and encouragement. Have sweet day in the Lord. :o)

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  14. Abby, thank you for another fab challenge and for sharing your heart with us again this week.

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  15. How beautiful!!
    Thank you for sharing and for linking up with Faith Filled Friday.

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  16. The words in that hymn are a treasure in my heart; you are kind to share them here.

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  17. Thank you for another wonderful post, Abby! Paul, and his suffering, have also been a wonderful encouragement to me over the years! You are a wonderful encouragement as well! Thank you for the opportunity to post my pages on your blog too!...Nancy :o)

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  18. Greetings from Wordwise Hymns. I posted an article on "Saved by Grace" this morning, so your post caught my eye. Did you ever wonder what that "silver cord" is all about? My article explains it. God bless.

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Your comments are blessings to my day.