This is one of the hymns we sang this morning as we worshiped at the First Baptist Church of Bryson City N.C. with my brother and sister-in-law: "God of Grace and God of Glory". ALL of it was meaningful to me--but the third stanza, particularly. I hope I won't soon forget the challenge of that line, "rich in things and poor in soul".
God of grace and God of glory
On Thy people pour Thy power
Crown Thine ancient church's story
Bring her bud to glorious flower
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour
For the facing of this hour
Lo the hosts of evil 'round us
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days
For the living of these days
Cure Thy children's warring madness
Bend our pride to Thy control
Shame our wanton selfish gladness
Rich in things and poor in soul
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal
Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore
Let the gift of Thy salvation
Be our glory evermore
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Serving Thee Whom we adore
Serving Thee Whom we adore
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days
For the living of these days
On Thy people pour Thy power
Crown Thine ancient church's story
Bring her bud to glorious flower
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour
For the facing of this hour
Lo the hosts of evil 'round us
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days
For the living of these days
Cure Thy children's warring madness
Bend our pride to Thy control
Shame our wanton selfish gladness
Rich in things and poor in soul
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal
Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal
Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore
Let the gift of Thy salvation
Be our glory evermore
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Serving Thee Whom we adore
Serving Thee Whom we adore
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days
For the living of these days
Lisa Shaw recently posted this Tozer quote: "We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life but impossible. The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today." ALL of this goes right along with the small book I'm reading by Thomas R. Kelly. (You'll see more on this general topic, I'm sure.)
I love your sentiment & collaboration with Lisa. We definitely need quietude & down-time - - perhaps more than any generation before us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kathleen
i love that line and admonition. when our children
ReplyDeletewere ilttle people would sometimes ridicule them
and ask, "are you very rich?" we always told them
to say, "we are rich with God's love."
Great words to that song..........and a hearty Amen to what Lisa Shaw
ReplyDeletesaid, couldn't agree more................
Hope you are doing well hon!!
Blessings, Nellie
Tozer's quote is so timely, and the words of the song so true. I think the enemy of our souls loves it when we get so busy, so concerned with stuff, and so overwhelmed with a frenzied lifestyle - and I think we've all been there. But God tells us to "be still."
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder...how those hymns would get right to the truth, the quote also...sometimes I feel we tend to sugar coat it all more today to cover up for our love for the things of this world...thanks for this reminder
ReplyDeleteI think Lisa is exactly right. There is too much going on and not enough reflection time. I'm so guilty of this!
ReplyDeleteThe words to the hymn were beautiful. I would like to sing that one.
Love Di ♥