Hymn Devotion for 20 March 2024 Anno Domini
the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. 10And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. 12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. (1 Samuel 7:7-12; all scripture quoted form the Authorized King James Bible)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vUhwyjdk8A
The Holy Spirit can penetrate every distance, every age, and even into the mind of a child. The youngest member of St. Andrews Church is Miss Soo-min Kim, a 7th grade student. Each Sunday she selects a short devotion to read to the Church – a task which she performs admirably. It is beyond coincidence that this young lady selects readings that always seem to fit purposely into my lectionary text sermons. Last Sunday, I preached on the Two Tabernacles – the first representing Christ in the wilderness, the second the True Tabernacle which is Christ. I was amazed that Soomin’s story was about that very subject even though she was unaware of my textual subject. Obviously, the Holy spirit speaks to her young and innocent mind week after week.
In the case of today’s hymn, there seems a rare and perfect correlation between the lyrics of the hymn and its tune, Ebenezer. Ebenezer is from the Hebrew meaning Stone of Remembrance, or help. The hymn is the composition of Thomas John Williams (1869-1944) which he named Tune in a Bottle, and comes from the 2nd movement of his Welsh anthem, Light in the Valley published in 1897.
The lyrics are by Samuel Trevor Francis (1834-1925). The deep, infinity of space cannot either be measured in time of distance, and neither can the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus – in fact, the depth of His love is immeasurable and deeper beyond and human comprehension. Our Lord Jesus Christ was led to many ordeals that no mortal human would choose to go – He was roughly led into the Wilderness to fast and to be tempted for 40 days and nights; He was roughly accosted in the Garden at Gethsemane by rough and heartless soldiers; He was roughly led before Annas, Caiphas, and Pontius Pilate into the Hall of Judgment. At the last, He was led away as a Lamb to be slaughtered to the brow of Calvary. (See John 19:16). All this He did willfully for you and me. He could have returned at any moment to the glorious Throne of His Father, but He endured for us!
O THE DEEP, DEEP LOVE OF JESUS
1 O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
vast, unmeasured, boundless, free,
rolling as a mighty ocean
in its fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me,
is the current of Thy love;
leading onward, leading homeward
to Thy glorious rest above.
2 O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
changeth never, nevermore!
How He watcheth o’er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own;
how for them He intercedeth,
watcheth o’er them from the throne.
3 O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of every love the best;
’tis an ocean vast of blessing,
’tis a haven sweet of rest.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
’tis heav’n of heav’ns to me;
and it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to Thee.
1 O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free, rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me. Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love; leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above. ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus’ is the Ebenezer (Stone of help) to the believing Christian. He need not worry of times and distances for the Love of Christ is as an endless, unfathomable ocean surrounding him all the days of his life regardless of place or time. That Ebenezer is a Stone – not only of salvation – but also unconditional victory in Christ. Love is that immovable Stone that characterizes our Lord’s care for us. Just as the Stone Memorial at Ebenezer marked Israel’s return to God, so does that Great Rock of Christ (which is pure love) mark the memorial of our salvation and victory in Him. Should we stumble in the dark night, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
2 O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth,
changeth never, nevermore! How He watcheth o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; how for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne. He gives the believer “Songs in the Night.” “I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.” (Psalms 77:4-6) Even in the dark, dark valleys where no light is, He is with us – “Yea, thou I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4) The believer is “in Christ’ and Christ is in the believer. There is no death in the presence of the Lamb of God for He conquered both death and Hell. Death is only a shade without substance or force. He is our One High Priest and the only Intercessor with the Father on our behalf. How can we love Him less than with all our being?
3 O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best; ’tis an ocean vast of blessing, ’tis a haven sweet of rest. O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis heav’n of heav’ns to me; and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee. The Havens of the Lord are fair and safe – a place of rest and shelter from the stormy seas of the world. “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Psalms 107:30 On the sea voyage to Rome, Paul and the ship’s crew encountered many restless seas, but “And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The Fair Havens.” (Acts 27:8) Despite the angry Ocean Seas of the world, have you found your Fair Havens in Christ? No matter the tumult of the billows and the dangers of the hidden shoals, we are safe in the arms of Jesus and can enjoy peace and security in the midst of the world’s most threatening storms. That is our Rock of Ebenezer – the memorial of that repository of the Love of Christ on which we draw and return to the Owner in like measure.
