I think it is really fitting to end the year like this. I found an old… hmm what do we call it. “sermony” thing that I wrote about 2 years ago while I was at Capernwray. It’s not really a sermon, it was a short little spiel to segueway from one song (Jesus the Source of all My Joy) to another (‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus), for the Music Ministry when we performed at churches. I really love those songs, especially ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. In fact it’s one of my most favourite, because of its simplicity (it’s a hymn), and the truth found in its words…
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This song is especially significant for me because for most of my life as a Christian, I thought that I was the source of my joy.I had no problems realizing that I needed Christ to forgive my sins and rescue me from hell, but beyond this forgiveness, I couldn’t see what else He could do for me. My spirituality – or lack of it, was the result of my actions. It depdended on me praying, on me worshipping, or on me reading the Bible. As a result of this, my peace was dependent on whatever serenity I could sum up; my love, on the security of being loved; and my joy, on my hapiness, or at least on an absence of despair. It made for one roller coaster of a Christian Life. I had emotional and spiritual ups or downs, loops, and twirls. Sometimes, it would just grind to a halt. You see, Jeus to me was merely someone who encouraged me when times were hard; someone to pick me up when I stumble. I never realized that He was – and is, an active participant in my life! As it says in Philippians 2:13, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” This is God’s salvation for us, not just Christ’s death for our forgiveness and restoration, but Christ’s life in us for our satisfaction.
Our next song is called “Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus”, and basically it is a description of what it is like when Jesus really is the source of all our joy.
As the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (3:14-21).
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1. ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and
o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
(Refrain)
3. Yes ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and
self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and
peace.
(Refrain)
4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
(Refrain)