SOMEDAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND

SOMEDAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND

 

As I sit here today, the wind is blowing and the skies are grey.  And I am reminded that it is like that it our own lives.  The wind blows through our lives and our skies turn to grey, but I am so thankful that I belong to the Lord Jesus and He is the “Sonshine” in my life even on dreary days.  And by faith, I can lean on Him, and knowing that He holds me by my right hand and lifts me up in the “Everlasting Arms.”

 

There are so many right now on “my list” that are suffering and discouraged.  And they wonder why they have to go through these things day after day.  Some people are considered terminal and unless Jesus heals, they will soon go home to glory.

 

And right now we read in the news headlines about grieving families asking “why?” We hear of great disasters with great loss of life and our hearts go out to the mothers, fathers, children and other family members.  But someday, for those who know Jesus, all those questions and the “Whys” will be answered and we will know and understand, when we see our Lord face to face.

 

This is an old gospel song that some of you may remember.  And some of you may be asking these questions right now: “How could a loving God allow such a horrible thing to happen? Why do good people suffer and bad people prosper, why me, God, why me?”        Here is the story of how “Farther Long” was written:

 

“Late in the nineteenth century, W.B. Stevens, a preacher in the little crossroads village of Queen City, Missouri, was struggling.  His young son had died suddenly, and he was devastated. He had counseled many people who had lost loved ones.  He had given them the right Bible verses, and he had prayed with them and comforted them, but this sorrow struck home.

 

He wondered if he could keep preaching; recently his sermons seemed hollow.  How could a loving God allow such a horrible thing to happen? Why me, God, why me?

 

Stevens wrote down his thoughts in a poem.  He had no easy answers-only the assurance that “we’ll understand it all by and by.” Little did he know that his simple poem expressing a fathers’ heartache would become one of the best-known gospel songs to comfort others with heavy hearts.”  (William Peterson, HYMNS)

 

FARTHER ALONG

 

Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long

While there are others living about us

Never molested though in the wrong.

 

[CHORUS]

Farther along we’ll know all about it,

Farther along we’ll understand why.

Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

 

When death has come and taken our loved ones

It leaves our home so lonely and drear.

And do we wonder why others prosper

Living so wicked year after year.

 

[Repeat Chorus]

 

When we see Jesus coming in glory,

When He comes down from His home in the sky.

Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

 

W.B. Stevens

 

My dear friends, let me encourage you today, all is not lost.  We have the “God of all comfort” along side of us (II Corinthians 1:3).  I, too, have days of discouragement and have had days of pain, and sometimes feel like I just can’t go on, but I have a hope and look to the joy ahead and my eternity with Jesus my Lord. I too have lost a precious loved one not quite two years ago, and I still have those moments when a memory will surface with a song she loved or a treasure that was hers, or a glance at her picture.  In those times I so long to be able to share my heart with her.  So I know that many of you out there experience those moments too. Let me share with you God’s Word to bring you comfort in these times.

 

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.  We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.  Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” II Corinthians 4:6-8.

 

And, oh picture the day when we see Jesus coming in the clouds of glory, coming down from His home in the sky to gather His children home.  What a meeting that will be there in the sky!  And we will then understand it all by and by.  As one song says, “Just One Glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

 

 

 

 

PRECIOUS SHEPHERD, WE NEED YOU!

PRECIOUS SHEPERD, WE NEED YOU!

 

As we traveled recently up north I noticed the many flocks of sheep along the way.  And the pastures were so green, and sometimes there were still waters nearby.  And there were the new little lambs with their mothers.  It was such a picture of the twenty-third Psalm.  There were the vivid green pastures. Some sheep were lying down and some were drinking beside those still waters.  What a picture?  And I ask the Lord as to what message He would give me, as there were so many different themes there out in those pastures. 

 

I always think of the “Lamb of God,” the perfect Lamb.  And I think of our Shepherd, the “Great Shepherd of the Sheep”( Hebrews 13:20),  who leads us and guides us along in our life journey. And we need Him so much.  We go through so many trials, and where could we go if we did not have Him to lead us and guide us. 

 

I think of that often, as I hear of people going through great times of suffering and pain. My mind cannot fathom the pain that some go through.  In my own family loved ones continue to go through a great struggle and it seems to never end, but oh what peace He brings! I am writing from my heart this evening, as my heart is heavy knowing that many of you are also going through great times of suffering.  On the other side is the joy knowing that another dear one’s suffering is finally over, no more tears or pain and is home with His Lord.

 

I love the old hymn stories, and as I was thinking of our Precious Shepherd, this song came to me, Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, and we need Him so much.  As you look at the words, realize that it is a prayer for Him to come afresh into our lives.  But first let me share with you the story behind this hymn, an amazing story of God’s tender care.

 

“Of all the names and titles given to Jesus, perhaps most beloved is Shepherd, a title Jesus gave Himself in John 10. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and even gives His life for His sheep.  Scripture also says that He knows His sheep by name.

 

On Christmas Eve 1875, Ira Sankey, the gospel singer who accompanied evangelist Dwight L. Moody, was traveling with friends by steamboat up the Delaware River.  He was asked to sing for the other passengers, but instead of singing a Christmas carol, he felt he should sing, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” 

 

Afterward, another passenger asked him if he had been doing picket duty on a particular night at a particular place during the Civil War.  Sankey agreed that he was.  The other passenger said, “I, too, was on duty that night; I was serving in the Confederate Army, and I saw you and raised my musket to take aim.  And then you began to sing.  It was the same hymn you sang tonight.  I remembered my mother singing that hymn to me, and I could not shoot you.”

 

On board the steamboat , Sankey put his arm around the man and introduced him to the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep.”  (“Hymns” by William J. Petersen)

 

SAVIOUR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US

 

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; in Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

 

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray.

 

Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee.

 

Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will; Blessed Lord and only Saviour, with Thy love our bosoms fill: Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.” (William H. Bradbury, 1816-1868)

 

The words of this song are indeed a prayer from the heart to our Blessed Jesus, our Precious Shepherd.  I see so many wondering sheep, lost in their way, lost in their pain and sorrow.  We all need His tender care.  He bought us at Calvary with His precious blood, we who have excepted the cross and His sacrifice, asked Him to forgive our sins, belong to Him for all eternity.  Praise the Lord!

 

We ask Him to guard our pathway, as we go through life with Him.  And we ask Him to draw us back into His fold when we stray, and to hear us when we fall on our knees in prayer, asking Him to restore us to the fold.

 

He has promised to receive us, even though we were lost sinners.  Oh, the wonderful grace and mercy that He bestows upon His children!  And that promise extends to eternity when He will receive us home forever with Him.  Oh, the joy of that day when we meet our Shepherd face to face!

 

And He calls us to seek Him, to spend time in prayer, asking Him to guard our way, and then He fills our lives with His love.  Oh, what joy to seek Him early in the day.  But no matter when or where you seek Him, He is there with all His love for you, my friend.

 

“So, Precious Shepherd, we need you!  We ask that You guard the way of those who are reading this right now.  Let them know that You are near and have loved them from the beginning and loved them enough to go to the cross for them. May they feel your presence right now, in Jesus’ Name!”

 

Pastor Sharon

 

YOU ARE SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY!

YOU ARE SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY!

As I sit here at my computer this windy and rainy evening my mind goes back through the years and I wonder where have they gone? I think of the milestones of my life, as I have just passed the anniversary of when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, 60+years.

But in all those passing years, One person has been at the center of my life.  And I can’t thank Him enough.  Oh, how I love the Lord Jesus Christ and how He has met me through the good and bad times of my life.  He has always been there even when I drifted away at times, being too busy,  He always drew me back into His arms of love.

He has been there in the shadows and the sunshine.  He has been there in the tears and in the joys of my life.  He has been there when I felt like I could not go one step further, and He was there in the next step I took.  He is my Shepherd, my God and the love of my heart forever.  When it seems like my trial goes on forever and the pain never ceases, He is there and grows sweeter and sweeter.  He grows sweeter as I age and many years are behind me and heaven is even closer now, and someday I will see His face.  Right now I just sense His presence and He comes to me in the night and He comes in sweet moments during the day.  And He is sweeter as the years go by, and they seem to go by quicker now as I am older.  But, oh, the joy of His presence and His smile!

SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY

Of  Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin; of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again; of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea, and higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

REFRAIN:  Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by, richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter, sweeter as the years go by.

He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago; the people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know; He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see; and still His great heart yearneth in love for even me. (Refrain)

T’was wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss, to bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross; with saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise, till Heav’n and earth re-echo our Redeemer’s praise (Refrain).  (Lelia N.Morris)

This precious lady, Lelia N. Morris, wrote this wonderful hymn in 1912.  She was active in the Methodist church, camp meetings, and song writing.  She wrote more than 1,000 Gospel songs.  When her eyes began to fail in 1913, her son built a 28 foot blackboard with oversized staff lines, so she could continue composing.

In her busy life of serving Jesus and later even becoming blind, she found her Savior even sweeter as the years went by.  What a testimony of faith!

Can you fathom the love of Jesus reaching out to us as lost sheep, as we were lost in sin and with His mercy and grace He draws into the fold.  And when we wonder from Him, He gently draws us back into His arms and oh the sweet love of My Shepherd as He tenderly folds His lambs into His bosom.

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.  For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever: Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens” Psalm 89:1.

We read in the Gospels as He walked this earth, healing the sick, opening blind eyes, breaking bread to feed the hungry and His deep compassion to the multitudes that thronged around Him.  And today, He lives within our hearts, healing our hurts our sickness, walking with us through the storms of our lives, healing our blindness, and forgiving our sins, and giving us just a glimpse of eternity with Him.  He opens our hearts as we read His Word and truly as we study and pray, His Word becomes sweeter and sweeter, as the Word says it becomes honey to our taste. “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103

And this wonderful love, His sweet love, took Him to the cross to bear my sins and yours, and someday, because of that great love, we will sing with the saints in glory, and shout our victory songs, as we behold our Precious Savior and all we have gone through down here will be worth it all.  And we will truly be able to say, He was sweeter as the years went by, and now in eternity, He will grow even sweeter as we abide with Him forever!

In Jesus’ Precious Name,

Pastor Sharon

HOLD TIGHTLY TO HIS HAND

HOLD TIGHTLY TO HIS HAND

If ever a time we need to hold tightly to God’s hand it is now.  I think of His hands often.  I am reminded that His hands are nail-pierced for me.  His hands are the hands of the Creator.  As I look outside at those grey clouds I am reminded again of those hands who hold this world together.  With those precious hands He healed the sick, opened blind eyes and deaf ears.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yet I will not forget you. See I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands: your walls are continually before Me” Isaiah 49:15-16.

Those hands, those precious hands are engraved with your name, my friend and mine.  He will never forget us. I am again reminded of an elderly man as I showed him this scripture to remind him how much God loved him.  “But that is millions of people” he said.  And as I left him that day he was still looking at his hands and amazed at God’s promise.

As I continue to recover and have needed an extra hand to help me along I have been looking at my husband’s strong hands, His hands are strong and sturdy to lead me along in this journey I am on at this time. His hands are loving hands.  His are hard-working hands and gentle hands who gently held three baby daughters and walked them also down the aisle in marriage. And we continue to walk hand in hand together ever mindful of Who has held our hands in His over these fifty two years.

And I am again reminded of my Wonderful Lord and how He has never changed and His hands have held me fast when the storms have come in my life and as the years roll on and it seems like some trials come back-to-back.  I could not find any stories of how this song was written but look at the words and hold tightly to His hand.

HOLD TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND

Time is filled with transition,

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Refrain:

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand;

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring,

If by earthly friends forsaken,

Still more closely to Him cling.

Refrain

Covet not this world’s vain riches

That so rapidly decay,

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures

They will never pass away.

Refrain

When your journey is completed,

If to God you have been true,

Fair and bright the home in glory

Your enraptured soul will view.

Franklin l. Eiland

I look back over the years and see the changes time has made. When I was young I never thought about the years ahead.  After all time moved slowly it seemed. We were busy raising our children and didn’t give much thought to the fact of growing old.  But here we are in our senior years and time seems to be speeding up.  But I have learned to hold tightly to His hand.  He never changes or will ever let go of my hand.

He has promised in His Word to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  And we don’t know what the years ahead hold.  As we get older more of our friends and loved ones will leave us.  Some come to a place in life where no friends or family remain but there is a hand that we can cling to tightly, His unchanging hand!

The riches of this world will pass away.  We will take nothing of this world with us when we die.  But what we have done for Jesus will bring us treasures in heaven.  Whose hand are you clinging to this day?  Are you clinging to the possessions of this world?  I pray this day that if you feel like your world is falling apart and earthly friends have forsaken you, just reach up right now by faith and take His outstretched hand, as He reaches out to you.

And someday this journey will be over.  We who love the Lord will be welcomed home at last by the One who has held us fast over the years.  There will be eternal joy in His presence and gathered there will be loved ones and no more parting over there.  So my friends whatever happens in our lives we can cling to God’s unchanging hand.

In His Name,

Pastor Sharon

MOMENT BY MOMENT

MOMENT BY MOMENT

As I walk this path with Jesus trials will come.  There will be times of great storms and then the sky clears and I can walk along singing in His Wonderful presence.  The path is smooth for a time and I feel like I can’t do enough for my Wonderful Lord.  The future looks bright before me.

And then a great storm comes into my life and I am tripped up and this time literally.  This has been a time of much pain.  I have shed buckets of tears with surgery and again laid up for a time.  But here I am in spite of my right arm bound up, to come again and encourage you in the midst of the pain and sorrow many of you are going through right now. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in ant trouble, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God”  11 Corinthians  1:3-4.

Oh, thank You Father for your comfort!  Where would we be without You?  When these times of great testing come we are then able to take our experience in the midst of our own pain and turn around and minister to others in the midst of similar trials. As we minister this way, we discover that we have great compassion, which only comes from “The God of All Comfort.”

And we are kept in His love, not just daily or hour by hour, but moment by moment.  I awoke during the night with this very old hymn in my heart.  I don’t think I have heard this one sung in many years but the Holy Spirit knew that you out there needed His Word of encouragement.  Sometimes it is in the night hours, in the midst of pain that He drops His songs of comfort and love into our hearts.

MOMENT BY MOMENT

“Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine; living with Jesus, a new life divine; looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Refrain:  Moment by moment I’m kept in His love; moment I’ve life from above; looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Never a trial that He is not there, never a burden that He does not bear, never a sorrow that He does not share, moment by moment I’m under His care.

Never a heartache and never a groan, never a teardrop, and never a moan; never a danger but there on the throne He thinks of His own.

Never a weakness that He does not feel, never a sickness that He cannot heal; moment by moment, in woe or in weal, Jesus my Savior abides with me still.  (Daniel W. Whittle-1893)

It is such a wonderful life to walk with Jesus, but trials will come until we are home with Him shining in glory. And moment by moment I belong to Jesus. 

I was lying in the hospital bed from the 5^th floor tower as the lights began to come on around the hospital buildings and grounds.  Some of those lights were very bright and some were a little dimmer or further away.  I related those lights to my life as a Christian and walking with Jesus.  Some of us seem to shine brightly in the midst of great trials.  I have met some in my calls who, in spite of incredible trials,seem to shine even brighter with His peace.  Then some of us seem to falter under the load and our lights of peace and joy begin to fade.  We ask “why is this happening to me?”  We may falter especially when these things seemingly go on and on.

But we are reminded that there is no trial that He is not there.  He bears all our burdens and He sees your tears and your heartaches.  He hears your groans and your moans of pain.  As I mentioned I have shed so many tears and moans of pain in this latest trial, but He reminded me and He reminds you that He is there every moment.

I am reminded that He comes in unexpected ways.  After my fall we were in the Emergency Room waiting for assistance.  As I was there in the wheelchair I noticed a young man leaning against the wall praying.  I ask him if he was praying for me and he said “yes.”  We then met together with him in a corner there and he brought out his well worn Bible and ministered to me and my husband.  To me he was an “angel” sent by my Lord to dry my tears.

Moment by moment, what a comforting thought in times of tears and pain and times of peace and joy when the sun is shining down, that the “God of all Comfort” will be there no matter what comes our way.  And “Moment by Moment” you and I are kept in His love forever.  Praise His Name!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

HIS LOVELY NAME

HIS LOVELY NAME!

As I am writing this today, I am thinking about the world around me today.  Our days here where we live continue to be filled with fog and cold.  There is no rain or snow in sight.  Some of our lovely lakes are dwindling down to a puddle, it seems. I continue to note faces I see and wonder what is going on in their lives. Some faces seem to speak of sadness and sorrow and many burdens to carry.  And many smile and go on their way, seemingly satisfied with their lives.  Many love the Lord Jesus despite the great trials they may go through. And I am thinking about the lovely Name of Jesus and the absolute power of His Name and how that Name holds this world together (Hebrews 1:3).

Many people strive to reach the top of success in their careers, wanting to make a big name for themselves.  But there is only one Name that outshines any name that man can make for himself on this earth. And at that Name someday every knee will bow to the most glorious name in all the universe (Philippines 2:9-11).

And in that Name, the precious Name of Jesus, is everything my heart desires.  He is the Lover of my soul, He is my Savior, my Redeemer, and I look forward to the day when I will at last see His face and dwell with Him in heaven forever.  Have you, my friend, experienced the absolute love of Jesus?  When we mention the Name of Jesus, do you comprehend how awesome is that Name? 

I heard a song on a CD and must share it with you.  My heart is overwhelmed within me as I read the words of this song.  Some of you may know this song and can sing it as you read the words.  As we think of the Name of Jesus, may you come to know how lovely is that Name, the Name of Jesus!

WHAT A LOVELY NAME

There’s a name above all others, wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer.  It’s the lovely name of Jesus, evermore the same, what a lovely name.

CHORUS:  What a lovely name, the name of Jesus.  Reaching higher far, than the brightest star.  Sweeter than the songs they sing in heaven.  Let the world proclaim, what a lovely name.

Thru His name there’s wondrous power, power to redeem, making sinner clean.  By His pow’r He cleansed the leper, opened blinded eyes, caused the dead to rise.

He’ll return in clouds of glory, saints of ev’ry race, shall behold His face, with Him enter heaven’s city, every to proclaim, what a lovely name.  (Charles B. Wycuff)

Are you walking through a time of fog in their life today?  Are you having trouble seeing Jesus through your tears of sorrow and pain?  Oh, what a lovely Name to part the clouds and bring hope and cheer!  He is Almighty God!  Christ is the all-powerful Lord, and absolutely nothing is impossible with Him!

And in the lovely Name of Jesus we can pray for the sick and those confined to bed, who in the past lived full lives serving Jesus.  I just came from a nursing home where I prayed over a dear saint.  And I am reminded of the compassion of Jesus for these dear ones.  This precious one had a lovely voice and sang her praises to Jesus, and now all I can do is read some scripture and pray in His lovely name and knowing that soon she will be home with Jesus and can lift her voice once again sing praises to her God!

In the Wonderful and lovely Name of Jesus is our Salvation. Through His death on that cross, He has power, through His death to redeem us from our sins by the cleansing blood that He shed.  And because of His resurrection, death is conquered and we have eternal life with Him forever.  As we read the Gospels in the New Testament we read of His power as he healed the sick and raised the dead, and of His great compassion and love.

When I think of that Lovely Name, I remember that He is the Messiah, He is our Redeemer, He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is our Great Shepherd, He is Bread of Life and He is the Bright and Morning Star and many other Names we can list that are found in the Name of Jesus!

And someday soon He will return in those clouds of glory.  And can you imagine with me what that reunion will be like as saints from all the ages, from every race and tribe will behold His lovely face.  I believe there will be a shout of joy from the millions gathered in the sky that will literally shake the heavens!  And we will gather around the throne shouting His praises forever and ever proclaiming “What a Lovely Name!”

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice saying, “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!”

In the Lovely Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon

OH, COME THOU FOUNT OF BLESSING

OH, COME THOU FOUNT OF BLESSINGS

My thoughts today are of those who have been in a deep freeze these past few days.  Many are without power and are cold.  And in these times of winter, we can sink into despair and wonder where are help is coming from.  It is dark and cold here also but I know the “Son” is shining behind those clouds.  The rain and snow may fall, but we need to be reminded of our “Fount of Every Blessing.”

Our Fount of Blessing will bring the sunshine after the rain and snow, and Springtime will come again.  A day of hope will spring up again.

The hymn I want to share with you today has become my prayer and I pray that it will also become a song of your heart, a song of praise to your Lord Jesus Christ.  We are all prone to wonder from His loving care.  We have days when we don’t pray as we should or read our Bibles.  Sometimes it is easier to stay home from church than get up on Sunday and gather with other believers.  I want to share the story of the writing of “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”  It is a very old hymn, written in the 1700’s.

“Robert Robinson had always been prone to wander.  Apprenticed to a barber at fourteen, he spent more time reading and playing with friends than cutting hair.  He became the leader of a notorious gang, and he shamed his family so much they practically disowned him.

Then, still a teen, he went to a George Whitfield meeting, intending to ridicule it; instead he almost fell asleep in it.  But then the preacher shouted out a Bible verse: “O generation of vipers; who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7, KJV).  That evening Robinson was converted.  After his apprenticeship was over, Robinson went into the ministry.  He wrote this hymn at the age of twenty-three as he served at the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Norfolk, England.

Late in life, Robinson did stray from the faith and drifted far from the Fount of every blessing.  One day he was riding in a stagecoach and sitting by a woman who was reading a hymnbook.  She showed him the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, “saying how wonderful it was.  He tried to change the subject but couldn’t.  Finally he said, “Madam, I am the poor man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds to enjoy the feelings I had then.”  (HYMNS by Petersen).

COME, THOU FOUNT

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.  Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come; and I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.  Jesus sought me when a stranger, wondering from the fold of God; He to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!  Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wondering hear to Thee: prone to wonder, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above. (Robert Robinson-1735-1790).

As I read this story, I wondered about this man and if he truly again found “His Fount of Blessing” before he died.  I like to think that maybe that dear lady sitting next to him led back to His Savior.

And our prayer today is calling for Him to “Come” to us.  He is our fount of every blessing.  He has promised to meet all our needs.  He is our Savior, our Healer, our Redeemer, our strength for every day.  I can’t begin to count the many blessings He has poured into my life.  His mercy and grace are like streams that flow into our lives.  And when we remember His mercy and grace we can then worship and praise our God.  He promises to give us songs in the night, and fill our days with never ending joy even in the midst of great trials that may come our way.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying “Thus far the LORD has helped us” I Samuel 7:12.

The Lord had won a great victory for the Israelites over the Philistine army, and the Prophet Samuel had set this stone up as a reminder of the Lord’s help.  And we can raise our cry of help to the “Rock” Christ Jesus.  And the Lord will win the victory over the battles we may face.  Oh, we may go through some tough battles, but He is there, our “Ebenezer” our “Stone of Help.”  And when we were wondering from His fold, He shed His precious blood for our sins, and through His sacrifice, we now have a guarantee to safely arrive “Home” someday.

And our cry is to bind our wondering hearts to Him.  We are indeed prone to wonder, and to drift away from our loving God.  And I cry, and you cry, “Take our hearts and seal them, seal them for our heavenly home, the courts above.

Are you wondering from the folds of God today?  I am reminded of Jesus as our Shepherd who goes out for that one lost sheep.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” Luke 15:4-6.

Come today back into the fold of God, let your Shepherd carry you on His shoulders as all heaven will rejoice in your coming home to your precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' Name,

Pastor Sharon