I Love My Job

As a worship leader, I have had the privilege of leading people into the gospel story.  As a pastor, I have had the privilege of seeing people grow in that gospel.  As a musician I have had the privilege of seeing people grow into the gifts that God has created in them as they work the gospel out in their lives.  It's a dance...music, gospel, people...and I love watching it and taking part in it.

Tommy Leahy is a great example of a young man who has grown into the musical gifts God has given him all the while finding himself within the gospel story.  It's been a pleasure seeing a little kid pick up a guitar and then blink and see a young man leading us in worship.  It's one of the things that I absolutely love about my job.  This video is of Tommy and I leading worship at Philmont Christian Academy.  He can be my wing man any time.

Thoughts on Sojourn's "Come Ye Sinners"

 

I recently bought Sojourn's latest album, "Come Ye Sinners."  It's a live recording from their Good Friday service (more details here.) A lot has been said already regarding this album so I'll keep the praises short.  It's bold and creative, powerful and intimate...and it's loud.  You can't listen to this album without turning it up.

But the most remarkable thing for me--the thing that I want the musicians at my church to study--is the way the music was made and the album was mixed so that each instrument has its own place in the sonic "wall of sound."  So I'll enter into a little listening exercise...

You should listen to this album with big speakers turned way up but you should study this album with headphones on.  When you do, you'll hear the instruments laid out in a semi-circle (like a half-clock).  You'll hear one electric guitar at your 9 o'clock, the other at your 3 o'clock both doing a great job staying out of each other's way but complimenting one another really well.  It's a great lesson in the use of two electric guitars in church music.

Then you have the organ tucked in there around 10 o'clock, bass around 2 o'clock, acoustic guitar at 1 o'clock and vocals a little off center.  It seems--as I enter into this exercise--like this is the general layout in the mix.  Listen to it and see for yourself.  Buy the album and tell me what you think.

Thanks to Sojourn for another great album!

Grace and Peace...

Prince Charming and Mercy Ministry

A few days ago we hosted a concert at the church's building featuring Liz and the Lions and Tim Skipper (from House of Heroes) with Stephanie SmithStephanie Smith.  The evening was meant to raise awareness of the church's involvement in bringing justice and mercy to our community through the ministry of the diaconate.  In between sets I gave a little explanation about the diaconate and then asked the question, "Why should we get involved in mercy ministry?"  I thought I'd unpack this theme again here in the blog.  So here goes:

Disney's classic animated film Cinderella is one of my all-time favorites for a lot of theologically rich reasons (that can be put into another blog post someday) but until recently I did have one thing against the movie.  Prince charming is a flat character.  in the movie you barely get his name.  His personality is not developed at all.  You don't know if he is a great guy.  You don't really know if he's going to be good for Cinderella or if he's going to marry her and cheat on her or beat her or something.  All you know is that he's Prince Charming so you should like him.  For the story, he is meant to be the ideal prince so there is no need to unpack that with good character development.

This reminds me of the book of Ruth, in the Old Testament.  (Go read it real quick). The "prince charming" of the book is Boaz.  He is a flat character who has little plot development.  All you know is that he is the ideal "prince" or in the Bible's language, he is the ideal king.  Why is he the ideal king?  The Bible, in places like Psalm 82 wants us to know that a good king is one who does justice and mercy, one who rescues the weak and the needy, one who cares for the fatherless and the widow.  This is exactly what Boaz does for Ruth (and to Naomi through her relationship with Ruth--you know, you just read it!)  Boaz is Prince Charming.

But the Bible isn't going to leave us hanging with a flat character.  It's going to unpack what a good king looks like.  We see it in the life of King David (Boaz's great-great-great-great-etc-grandson).  Remember the story of Mephibosheth and how David showed kindness to Jonathan's son?  The Bible says that this is a mark of a great king.

All throughout the Old Testament the theme of the good king or "Prince Charming"points to one man, Jesus Christ.  This is where we see the character development explode.  Jesus shows us what it truly means to be The Perfect King.  It reminds me of "The Houses of Healing" chapter in The Lord of the Rings.  You know the true king when he has hands of healing.  Jesus was king because he brought healing.  He was the High King who brought mercy and justice.

So a good theology of diaconal ministry answers the question for us.  Why should we do diaconal ministry?  The answer isn't "because God says so."  The answer includes this but it is more beautiful than a mere command.  We are commanded to bring justice and mercy because it is a kingly duty and as children of the Most High God, we have been made royalty.  When you see injustice in the world and you act out against it, you are enacting your kingly or queenly duty.  You are living out your royal calling.

But there is something at stake here that can't be missed.  There is great potential for the world to look at the ultimate Prince Charming, Jesus Christ, and just see a flat character.  We, Christ's church are his body, we are his hands and feet to this broken world and if we don't enact our royal calling to be bringers of mercy and justice, then the world is not going to see the explosion of grace and mercy that comes with knowing Jesus and following him.  It is shocking and scandalous but it is true, we are the character development that shows the world a "Prince Charming" who heals, who brings justice to the oppressed, who brings food to the hungry, who brings hope to the hopeless.  Let us go and show the world this Jesus.

So I guess I'm okay with Cinderella's prince being a flat character because it shows me that the story needs a good sequel.  In our case Pentecost begins Jesus' sequel...and it just so happens to be us!)

Grace and Peace,
Jim

Hold Up Hold Up

As you can see I haven't posted anything in a while.  That's because I've been doing a lot of reading--Desiring the Kingdom, Liturgical Theology, For the Life of the World and The Silmarillion--and am beginning to think about worship and liturgy in a new way so stay tuned...

Worship Gathering February 26, 2012

During this season we have the opportunity to put ourselves in a posture of sorrow and repentance in order to more fully see and appreciate the glorious grace, which is offered to us in Christ.  So as you walk through Lent, I encourage you to let this be your prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ,

take me along that holy way

you once took to your death,

Take my mind, my memory,

above all my reluctant heart,

and let me see what once you did

for love of me and all the world.

God of power and mercy,

in love you sent your Son

that we might be cleansed of sin

and live with you forever.

Bless us as we gather to reflect

on his suffering and death

that we may learn from his example

the way we should go.

We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord.

A Plea For Grace — Ps. 86:1-6

Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.

Glorious and Mighty

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Music: J. Sczebel, T. Twining. Words: Joel Sczebel, T. Twining, B. Kauflin. CCLI# 1888005

Majesty, Your glory is shining

Brighter than the moon and the stars

Marveling, we honor and fear You

Above all gods

Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty

Joyful songs we raise

Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty

Greatly to be praised

Majesty, You fashioned the heavens

Your decrees can never be changed

Over all the plans of the nations

Your judgments reign

Majesty, we’ll sing with creation

When You come again in the clouds

Every knee will bow down and worship

The one true God

The Greatness Of Our God

© 2010 SHOUT! Music Publishing Jason Ingram, Reuben Morgan, Stuart David Garrard CCLI# 1888005

Give me eyes to see more of who You are

May what I behold still my anxious heart

Take what I have known and break it all apart

You my God are greater still

And no sky contains

No doubt restrains all You are

The greatness of our God

I spend my life to know

And I'm far from close to all You are

The greatness of our God

Give me grace to see beyond this moment here

To believe that there is nothing left to fear

And that You alone are high above it all

You my God are greater still

And there is nothing that could ever separate us

There is nothing that could ever separate us

From Your love

No life no death of this I am convinced

That You my God are greater still

And no words could say

Or song convey all You are

The greatness of our God

I spend my life to know

And I'm far from close to all You are

The greatness of our God

Our Fallen State — Ephesians 2:1-3

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Prayer of Sorrow

In sorrow we confess that we have lived as children of disobedience.  We have lived in selfishness and arrogance following the prince of the power of the air.  We have lived as children of wrath.  Lord, have mercy on us! Christ, have mercy on us!

Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed

Public Domain, Isaac Watts, Ralph Hudson, Hugh Wilson, CCLI# 1888005

Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a wretch as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

It was for crimes that I have done

He groaned upon the tree

Amazing mercy, grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

But God, Being Rich in Mercy — Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in  kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;  it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Now Why This Fear

© 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship Music; Augustus Toplady (1772) and Doug Plank CCLI# 1888005

Now why this fear and unbelief?

Has not the Father put to grief

His spotless Son for us?

And will the righteous Judge of men,

Condemn me for that debt of sin,

Now cancelled at the cross?

Jesus, all my trust

Is in Your blood

Jesus, You’ve rescued us

Through Your great love!

Complete atonement You have made,

And by Your death completely paid

The debt Your people owed

No wrath remains for us to face

We’re sheltered by Your saving grace,

And sprinkled with Your blood.

Be still, my soul, and know this peace

The merits of your Great High Priest

Have bought your liberty

Rely then on His precious blood,

Don’t fear your banishment from God

Since Jesus sets you free

How sweet the sound of saving grace

How sweet the sound of saving grace

Christ died for me

Absent From Flesh           

© 2011 Sojourn Community Church, Isaac Watts, Jamie Barnes, CCLI#1888005        

Absent from flesh, O blissful thought

What joy this moment brings

Freed from the blame my sin has brought,

From pain and death and its sting.

Absent from flesh, O Glorious day!

In one triumphant stroke

My reckoning paid, my charges dropped

and the bonds 'round my hands are broke.

I go where God and glory shine,

To one eternal day

This failing body I now resign,

For the angels point my way.

For the angels point my way.

Absent from flesh! then rise, my soul,

Where feet nor wings could climb,

Beyond the sky, where planets roll,

And beyond all keep of time.

Worship Gathering February 12, 2012

The gospel can be compared to a diamond with radiance that sparkles and we are going to turn that diamond and focus on the themes of reconciliation and redemption, two themes in the book of Ephesians that really shine!

Exodus 15

© 2000 Hans Plum CCLI 1888005

       

Who among the gods is like you, Oh Lord?

Who is like you, Majestic in holiness?

Awesome in glory and working your wonders

Who among the gods is like you, Oh Lord?

I will sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted

The Lord is my strength and my song

I will sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted

He has become my salvation

There is none like You!  There is none like You!

Our Great Need—Psalm 74:1-2

O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.

Hallelujah! What a Savior

Public Domain, Philip Bliss, CCLI 1888005

“Man of Sorrows!” what a name

For the Son of God, who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood;

Sealed my pardon with His blood.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

      Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

“Full atonement!” can it be?

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;

“It is finished!” was His cry;

Now in Heav’n exalted high.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,

All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew His song we’ll sing:

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Reconciliation— Romans 5:9-11

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by  his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood

Public Domain.  W. Cowper & L. Mason.  CCLI#1888005

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains:

Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains,

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;

And there have I, as vile as he, washed all my sins away:

Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away,

And there have I, as vile as he, washed all my sins away.

E’er since by faith I saw the stream your flowing wounds supply

Redeeming love has been my theme and shall be till I die

And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die

Redeeming love has been my theme and shall be till I die

Then in a nobler, sweeter song I will sing your power to save

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave

Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave

Dear dying Lamb, your precious blood shall never lose its power,

Till all the ransomed church of God be saved to sin no more:

Be saved to sin no more, be saved to sin no more,

Till all the ransomed church of God be saved to sin no more.

Redemption— Luke 1:68-75

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up  a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,  as  he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,  that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him  all our days.

Come and Welcome

©2004 Smoldering Wick Music (ASCAP). Thomas Haweis. Matthew Perryman Jones 1888005

From the cross uplifted high where the Savior deigns to die

What melodious sounds I hear bursting on my ravished ear

Love’s redeeming work is done. Come and welcome, sinner, come

Sprinkled now with blood the throne. Why beneath thy burdens groan

On my pierced body laid justice owns the ransom paid

Bow the knee and kiss the Son. Come and welcome, sinner, come

Spread for thee the festal board. See with richest dainties stored

To thy Father’s bosom pressed yet again a child confessed

Never from His house to roam. Come and welcome, sinner, come

Soon the days of life shall end. Lo, I come, your Savior, Friend

Safe your spirit to convey to the realms of endless day

Up to my eternal home. Come and welcome, sinner, come.

Come and welcome, sinner, come 

All Things New

© 2010 Clint Wells, Horatius Bonar, Red Mountain Music CCLI 1888005

Come, Lord and tarry not; bring the long-looked-for day;

O why these years of waiting here, these ages of delay?

Come, for Thy saints still wait; daily ascends their sigh:

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”: Dost Thou not hear the cry?

O come, and make all things new; come and make all things new.

O come, and make all things new. Build up this ruined earth;

Come, and make all things new.

Come, for creation groans, impatient of Thy stay,

Worn out with these long years of woe, these ages of delay.

Come, for love waxes cold, its steps are faint and slow;

Faith now is lost in unbelief; hope’s lamp burns dim and low.

Closing Song of Joy

The Father’s Love

© 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship. Music & words: Joel Sczebel. CCLI#1888005

How has the sinner been forgiven?

How has the rebel been made clean

Or blinded eyes been made to see?

How have the orphans been adopted

Who hated Your love and ran from grace

Despised and rejected all Your ways

How wonderful the Father’s love, the Father’s love for us!

That He would send His only Son to come and rescue us!

He has saved us, called us blameless

Guides us now and will sustain us

Oh how wonderful the Father’s love!

Your mercy floods our lives with kindness

Your grace has colored all we see

And You have promised not to leave

You freely give Your Spirit to us

So we can be sure we’re sons of God

And rest in the hope of what’s to come

Though sufferings may fill our lives

We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ

And so we cry, “Abba, Father”

Benediction – 2 Corinthians 13:14

     The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of

        the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Worship Gathering February 5, 2012

This week the sermon will be from Luke 22 where Jesus unpacks the themes of greatness and humility for his disciples.  As I was meditating on this passage I was taken to Daniel 4 with a story about the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.  This proud king is brought to a lowly state, from exalted king to a grotesque animal, all because of his great pride.  God curses him by turning him into what he is acting like (similar to Edmund becoming a dragon in C.S. Lewis' "Voyage of the Dawn Treader").  But God graciously restores the imago Dei to Nebuchadnezzar and allows the king to "come to his senses" and repent of his arrogance (for animals are unable to come to their senses and repent).  God, then restores Nebuchadnezzar to a greater kingship than before because now the Babylonian king understands himself within the reign of the High King.  


This narrative foreshadows the exaltation of Christ in a surprising way.  It was not arrogance that brought Jesus low.  It was His willingness to not consider equality with God something to be grasped and to empty Himself that led to His low state.  But the similarity is in the animal-like-ness of the Babylonian king and Jesus.  Jesus became like a lamb led to the slaughter.  Jesus was whipped and beaten beyond recognition.  He was treated like an animal.  But at the resurrection of the Son, God exalted Jesus and restored His Kingship as He sat down at the right hand of the Father.  This exaltation brought the imago Dei to its intended glory.  Just as Nebuchadnezzar's resurrection from an animal-like state was a realignment of reality around the High King so too was Jesus' resurrection from the dead a realignment of the universe around the High King, whose name is Jesus.


This Sunday's liturgy puts us within the story of restoration to the glory of being God's image bearers.  Jesus has rescued us from our arrogance and pride.  As we sing and pray and read these passages, we are brought back into the reality of the high and exalted King Jesus. 

All Creatures of Our God and King

ST. FRANCIS of ASSISI; Arr. and DAVID CROWDER Public Domain.© 2003 Christian Music Pub. CCLI 1888005

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

O praise Him, alleluia

Thou burning sun with golden beam

Thou silver moon with softer gleam

O praise Him, O praise Him

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along

O praise Him, alleluia

Thou rising moon in praise rejoice

Ye lights of evening find a voice

O praise Him, O praise Him

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Let all things their Creator bless

And worship Him in humbleness

O praise Him, alleluia

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son

And praise the Spirit, Three in One

O praise Him, O praise Him

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Call to Worship — Psalm 34:1-9

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me   and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

How Great Is Our God

© 2004 worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music, Alletrop Music / C. Tomlin, E. Cash & J. Reeves / CCLI#1888005

The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty;

let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice.

He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide,

and trembles at his voice, and trembles at his voice.

How great is our God!  Sing with me:  How great is our God!

And all will see how great, how great is our God!

And age to age he stands, and time is in his hands;

Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End.

The Godhead, three in one, Father, Spirit, Son,

The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb.

Name above all names, worthy of all praise.

My heart will sing:  How great is our God!

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

A Humbled King — Daniel 4:28-33

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

© 1995 Thankyou Music / Stuart Townend / CCLI#1888005

How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure

that he should give his only son, to make a wretch his treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns his face away

as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders.

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished;

his dying breath has brought me life.  I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:  no gifts, no power, no wisdom.

But I will boast in Jesus Christ:  his death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from his reward?  I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom.

An Exalted King — Daniel 4:34-37

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven   and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand   or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Public Domain.  Edward Mote & William Bradbury / CCLI#1888005

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace;

in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood;

when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.

When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found

dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.                                                                                                                                  

Scripture – Luke 22:24-30

Sermon – “Greatness…According to Jesus”         David Royes

Offering & Prayerful Interlude

Closing Song of Joy

His Love Can Never Fail

©2004 Christopher Miner Music. Words: E.S. Hall. Music: Christopher Miner. CCLI1888005

I do not ask to see the way My feet will have to tread;

But only that my soul may feed Upon the living Bread.

’Tis better far that I should walk By faith close to His side;

I may not know the way I go, But oh, I know my Guide.

His love can never fail, His love can never fail,

My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.

My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.

And if my feet would go astray, They cannot, for I know

That Jesus guides my falt’ring steps, As joyfully I go.

And tho’ I may not see His face, My faith is strong and clear,

That in each hour of sore distress My Savior will be near.

I will not fear, tho’ darkness come Abroad o’er all the land,

If I may only feel the touch Of His own loving hand.

And tho’ I tremble when I think How weak I am, and frail,

My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.