When I was a student in Bangalore, a mentor suddenly fell ill and as she lay in the hospital for a long period, fighting against failing organs, I remember a family member sharing that she had the song “Blessed Assurance” on her lips. Knowing her, I knew it was truly her story – she was one of the most loving people I knew, because she had complete assurance of the One she belonged to and loved Him deeply. I still tear up at the thought. What a beautiful song to be singing at the end of your life, praising God and holding on strongly to Jesus! A person who has lived belonging to Christ has much joy and peace even in the midst of the storms of life and submits with joy to the life He calls them to.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour, all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
As I thought about her and this song, I thought also about my last few months. Recently, I went through some experiences which made me think a lot about the frailty of life and about facing death. I broke down because, reflecting on the past few weeks, I realised how distracted my heart was from my Lord. I had actually begun the year with a real sense of urgency and a hunger to pray for those around me and to live for Him. But somehow, one small part of my life took over and that became my focus, making me slip into complacency. Even though it may have looked very harmless to anyone else, it drew my heart away from God and what He was calling me to do. Instead of desiring Him and walking in Him, instead of sharing His love and shining His light, I foolishly spent a good chunk of time in activities that were unimportant in the light of eternity.
And I believe, in God’s grace towards me, I had to go through that painful experience of His discipline, as a loving Father correcting their erring child, and He woke me up to repentance and to draw near to Him. As I went through this, I experienced the riches of His mercy, grace, and love in a new way. He has been so precious and His truths have been my refuge.
I think about this song and I wish this to be the story of my everyday life, that His praise is continually on my lips and that I hold on to the beautiful assurance that I am His and no one can snatch me away from His hands. I want to live each day, with an ever deepening desire for Him, and to testify boldly about Him to those around me.
And when I go to be with Him, I hope it will be said of me that I loved my Lord with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength, and willingly and joyfully obey His voice in all circumstances, completely resting in His goodness and love!
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour, all the day long.
Photo by Zack Smith on Unsplash
We have been carved out on the palms of His hand....not to fall out or be snatched out... beautiful write up...we keep failing....but our loving compassionate father refreshes us ... Praise God..that He has not given up on us .. but still keeps working on us...