My Hymn for this Year

I love hymns and am grateful to be part of a church that still sings them.  Meditate on the words of songs like Charles Wesley’s And Can It Be?  Few modern songs exhibit such an understanding of doctrine.  Real depth.

The great hymns of the faith are not just for public worship.  They are deeply personal.  Many famous Christians have testified that the use of a good hymn book was helpful to their devotional time.

Recently our Pastor recommended that we adopt a hymn for the year.  A song to learn and to “make our own.”  God led me to the powerful words of a lesser known hymn.  For the last few days I have been singing it to myself (for which everyone is thankful!) and thinking about the truth in each line.

Esther Duvall Eden was the sister-in-law of the famous Youth Evangelist, Percy Crawford.  Beyond that very little is known about the author of O Mighty God, How Wonderful Art Thou.  One thing I do know is that she knew God.  I look forward to meeting her in Heaven and worshiping our wonderful Lord together.  Until then I am enjoying the words she penned in 1959…

I walk at night beneath majestic skies
And know behind them is a God all-wise,
Who fixed all stars, each in its lonely place,
And wrapped them in a darkened robe of space.

I see the moon, the stars in distant space,
And think of how the God of matchless grace
Is coming in the clouds to claim His own –
Such wonders that on earth cannot be known.

I scan the heav’ns with rapture in my soul
And wonder how the God Who made the whole
Could ever fix His thoughts on such as I
And give His Son upon the cross to die.

O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou
To love the world while heav’ns before Thee bow.
I fail to comprehend it all some how.
O mighty God, how wonderful art Thou.

Do you have a favorite hymn?  Is there a song that could be a real encouragement to your faith at this stage of the journey?  Spend a little time with an old hymn book.  You will be glad you did.