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In a recent worship service, as I was singing Blessed Assurance, God took the opportunity to have a pow-wow with me.
At first I was surprised at how much I was enjoying singing the old hymn. After all, I’m a contemporary-Christian, praise and worship kind of girl.
Some hymns are special to me, but most of them don’t reach me the way the newer songs do as I sing to the Father and His Son.
But this time, as I harmonized the words, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine…” My heart soared at the reality of their meaning. It IS such a blessing to know beyond a doubt that Jesus is mine, and to know that the divine glory I will experience will outshine any blessing here on earth.
“This is my story…” I belted out from deep within. What a story I have to share because of Him!
“This is my song…”
“Praising my Savior…” Oh, how I love to worship and praise the One who suffered and died for me. The perfect One who took on my sin and gave me His robes of righteousness!
“All the day lon–…” GULP.
The words stuck in my throat and penetrated my heart. Praising my Savior…all the day long? The whole day?
I bowed my head. I couldn’t sing those words, because they weren’t true. When was the last time I had truly praised my Savior all day long? Tears fell as He reminded me that not only had I NOT praised Him all day, but recently there had even been days when I hadn’t praised Him…at all.
Not a single time. How could I sing that song with a clear conscience?
Instead of singing, I was moved to confess:
My busyness.
My distraction.
My oneness with the world.
And then God spoke His words of comfort to my heart…
“Perfect submission. All is at rest.” His cleansing washed over me and suddenly I knew! I–in my Savior–AM happy and blest!
At last I could join Mrs. Crosby and my brothers and sisters in singing, “Filled with His goodness, lost in His love…”
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
