by D.A. Carson

What astonishing mercy and power:
In accord with his pleasure and will
He created each planet, each flower,
Every galaxy, microbe, and hill.
He suspended the planet in space
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.

With despicable self-love and rage,
We rebelled and fell under the curse.
Yet God did not rip out the page
And destroy all who love the perverse.
No, he chose us to make a new race,
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.

Providentially ruling all things
To conform to the end he designed,
He mysteriously governs, and brings
His eternal wise plans into time.
He works out every step, every trace,
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.

Long before the creation began,
He foreknew those he’d ransom in Christ;
Long before time’s cold hour-glass ran,
He ordained the supreme sacrifice.
In the cross he removed our disgrace,
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.

We were blessed in the heavenly realms
Long before being included in Christ.
Since we heard the good news, overwhelmed,
We reach forward to seize Paradise.
We shall see him ourselves, face to face,
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.
To the praise of his glorious grace.

I am often burdened for dear friends caught up in religions that teach that their salvation is dependent on their own acts alone or on what Christ did for them on the cross plus their own works. I was wanting to post something emphasizing the fact that it is faith and dependence on Christ alone that saves when this part of this hymn came to mind:

Complete in Thee! no work of mine
May take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And I am now complete in Thee.

Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be!

(From the hymn, “Complete in Thee” by Aaron R. Wolfe, 1821-1902 and James M. Gray, 1851-1935)

 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

A young man sang this song in church last night, and it so touched my heart. Then today I received a new CD of the Northland Camp Singers and Orchestra titled “Compete In Thee,” and discovered this song there! It is based on Matthew 11:28-29: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

The words and music are by Ken Dosso

Come, Come Unto Me 

Come, come unto Me,
All you who are weary,
All who are weak, tired and lonely.
Come, come unto Me.
Strong arms will enfold you and lift you up.
Oh, come unto Me.

Come, come unto Me.
Bring Me all your burdens.
Show Me your wounds, and I’ll soothe them.
Oh, come, come unto Me.
Drink now of my goodness, and rest your soul.
Oh, come unto Me.

All are invited; there’s none who aren’t welcome
To know of my comfort and peace.
My arms are opened, and My voice is calling to come,
Simply trust and believe.

Oh, Come, come unto Me.
Live with Me forever.
All those who seek Me will find Me!
Oh, come, come unto Me,
Strong arms will enfold you, and lift you up.
Oh, come unto Me.
I’ll lift you up:
Oh, come unto Me.

A Passion For Thee 

Set my heart, O dear Father,
On Thee, and Thee only,
Give me a thirst for Thy presence divine.
Lord, keep my focus on loving Thee wholly,
Purge me from earth; Turn my heart after Thine.

A passion for Thee;
O Lord, set a fire in my soul, and a thirst for my God.
Hear Thou my prayer, Lord, Thy power impart.
Not just to serve, but to love Thee with all of my heart.

Father fill with Thy Spirit, and fit me for service,
Let love for Christ every motive inspire,
Teach me to follow in selfless submission,
Be Thou my joy and my soul’s one desire.

A passion for Thee;
O Lord, set a fire in my soul, and a thirst for my God.
Hear Thou my prayer, Lord, Thy power impart.
Not just to serve, but to love Thee with all of my heart.

–Words and music by Joe Zichterman 

A young woman’s faith in the midst of finding out she had a brain tumor* reminded me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith. They knew God could deliver them from the fiery furnace in and they resolved to believe in Him even if He didn’t. Since then a song has been running through my mind based on that passage in Daniel 3.

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Walking Through the Flames by Jeanine Drylie (words are here):

*I originally had links to her blog, but it is no longer online.