Indelible Grace V Arrives!

Monday through Thursday, all the same. Fatiguing nights, long days at work, a tired wife, and a crying baby...and no new Indelible Grace CD. I preordered a copy of their newest work of art as soon as I could and have been eagerly been anticipating its arrival since. Finally, today, Friday, my mailbox was blessed with the sight of a brown padded envelope that contained my long awaited compact disc of grace. Indelible Grace V, Wake Thy Slumbering Children has arrived!

So while I stay up late listening to the songs and reading the lyrics when my body is screaming for sleep, I couldn't help myself but to share a song that could very well bust into my top 10 when I redo my top hymn list early next year.

Hymn Spotlight - "Abide With Me"

Song Title: Abide With Me
Artist: Matthew Perryman Jones
Album: IG5 - Wake Thy Slumbering Children
Writers: Henry Lyte, Justin Smith

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide
When other helpers, fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, abide with me

Thou on my head, in early youth didst smile
And though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile
Thou has not left me, though I oft left thee
On to the close Lord, abide with me

I need Thy presence, every passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is thy sting death? Where grave thy victory?
I triumph still, abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross, before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

What's interesting to me right away is that this song underwent a small rewrite when it joined the Indelible Grace CD. I believe the second verse has been totally rewritten by Justin Smith with the rest of the song (for the most part) being written by Henry Lyte in 1847.

Why this hymn: While I totally expected the three Sandra McCracken songs to catch my ear at first, it wasn't those songs (though they sound pretty good too) that caused me to break out the lyrics for the first time. I've probably never been so excited to receive a CD in the mail as I was today. Wake Thy Slumbering Children is a clever title, and as my own small child makes little noises in his slumber as I write this, I am reminded of what a wretch I've been spiritually since joining the ranks of fatherhood. Abide With Me is a great hymn, and while I can't say for sure due to the fact I haven't listened to the CD 30 times yet, it might be the best song on this new CD. After only two listens, I felt a tear or two stream down my face. Matthew Perryman Jones is easily one of my favorite singers (and one I've actually met). His vocals, deep lyrics, and excellent music set this hymn apart.

Why I like it: This hymn does my soul well (to steal a line from beloved writer J.C. Ryle). What it cries out to me is of course something I already know. But God invented music for a reason didn't he? The beautiful things in this world were created for us to know God more. What this hymn communicates to me is that abiding with Christ is my lifeline. I must do it. I can't survive in this world by myself. Though there are many great things to help us along the way...I'm thinking music, books, friends, spouses, parents, movies, sermons, etc....nothing can compare to abiding with our Lord. Christ is light in the darkness. Christ is there when the helpers fail. Though I have oft left him, he has never left me. Only his grace can free me from sin and fight Satan, for I am powerless to fight on my own. Regardless of my circumstances, I will always triumph, for nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Any song that puts these thoughts in my head is worthing of a spotlight. Plus, it sounds great.

Related Scripture: John 15:1-17, 1 John 2:23-29, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Favorite Line: "Thou has not left me, though I oft left thee; On to the close Lord, abide with me." Alright, so I feel sort of dirty picking a line from the hymn written in 2007, but hey, I really liked it. The whole song is packed with great lyrics. But lines like these always get to me. For I know that my soul wanders all the time. I know I have hours and days in which I don't abide with Christ at all. While my soul hates those times, they happen, and it's a great comfort to know that Christ does not leave me. A truth like this can be repeated to me over and over, and it's sweet every time. What joy there is in knowing that my redeemer sustains and keeps me as his own! And he will until the book of my life closes. Amen.