I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say - July 2021

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A faithful reading of Scripture leads us to a high view of God's sovereignty. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44a). God is not partially sovereign, He is completely sovereign, even in the salvation of helpless sinners.

And yet, Scripture also gives a genuine free offer of the Gospel. Indeed, whosoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Instead of creating a false dichotomy between these two truths, we can celebrate the good news in which they harmonize! God effectually calls lost people unto Himself, who in turn come to Christ for salvation. For without the saving work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, no one, dead in their sin, would come to Christ at all! Yet, as we cling to Christ for salvation, He graciously blesses us with the sweetness of knowing our Savior in a relationally thirst-quenching way.

As those who have been redeemed by Christ, resting in him who is gentle and lowly in heart, we can faithfully invite others to find rest for their souls in him and trust our sovereign God to work.

-Jonathan

I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say

Written by Horatius Bonar

Lyrics: 

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto me and rest.
Lay down, O weary one,
lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
weary, worn, and sad.
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one;
stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched,
my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world's Light.
Look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my Star, my Sun,
and in that light of life I’ll walk
till traveling days are done.

Words: Horatius Bonar, 1846, Alt. 1990, mod.
Music: KINGSFOLD, traditional English melody
© Public Domain.
CCLI Song #2631448 | CCLI License # 193208

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Ancient of Days - June 2021

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"All good things come to an end." "This too shall pass." We often hear phrases like this whether we walk through days of joy or days of sorrow. In them we're reminded that our lives here on earth are but a vapor, a tiny dot on vast timeline of eternity. Encouraging or humbling, the truth remains.

Yet we serve a God who is from everlasting to everlasting. He has no beginning and no end; and this is great news! This means there is nothing outside of His sovereign control, bringing all things to pass according to His perfect will. Even better, our God can be trusted that He is working for His glory and for the good of those who love Him. Difficult to grasp, the truth remains. And what a precious truth! For those who trust in Christ the goodness of enjoying the presence of our King will never come to an end!

-Jonathan

Ancient of Days

Written by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren, Jesse Reeves

Lyrics: 

Verse 1
Though the nations rage
Kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King
Reigning over all
So I will not fear
For this truth remains
That my God is the Ancient of Days

Chorus
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is the Ancient of Days

Verse 2
Though the dread of night
Overwhelms my soul
He is here with me
I am not alone
O His love is sure
And He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days

Verse 3
Though I may not see
What the future brings
I will watch and wait
For the Savior King
Then my joy complete
Standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days

© 2018 CityAlight Music, Farren Love And War Publishing, Integrity's Alleluia! Music, BEC Worship, WriterWrong Music. CCLI Song #7121851 | CCLI License # 193208

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He Will Hold Me Fast - May 2021

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This life is full of forces that seek to undermine our faith. The enemy prowls like a lion, the flesh wages war on our souls, and the world offers idols to capture our affections. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12). With such an onslaught, how can we hold on to our faith?

The underlying truth is that the object of our faith is holding fast to us. We don't often use the word "fast" in this way, but consider it as the root to the word "fasten." In this light fast means "firmly fixed or attached." This is the exact picture we see in John 10 when Jesus says that no one can snatch his sheep from his hand? Though our fingers are often weak, easily pried from what we grasp, as we persevere in life, remember that Christ will hold us fast and he's not letting go!

-Jonathan

He Will Hold Me Fast

Words vv 1-2: Ada Habershon (1861-19168); Alt. Words vv.1-2, Words v. 3, and Music: Matt Merker

Lyrics: 

Verse 1
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold;
He must hold me fast.

Chorus
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.

Verse 2
Those He saves are His delight,
Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight,
He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost;
His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.

Verse 3
For my life He bled and died,
Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied,
He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life,
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight,
When he comes at last!

© 2013 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Matthew Merker Music (BMI). Admin. by Musicservices.org. All rights reserved. CCLI Song #7016161 | CCLI License # 193208

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