Jonathan (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} boomerangaz) wrote,@ 2007-09-30 15:53:00 |
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Why has the message changed?
I was trying to find a hymn whose words were on the edge of my mental tongue today... something about coming to God with a heart that fears (as in, a heart which fears its own wickedness will strike out continually)... I can't remember the wording. Anyway, I didn't find it, but came upon a hymn by John Newton and thought it was quite striking.
Quiet, Lord, my froward heart
John Newton
(from the Olney Hymns)
So I wondered about the question: Why don't the hold hymns resonate anymore?
I think it's because we don't really think of ourselves anymore (or never did consider ourselves) <i>really</i> sinners. That explains well why people want to hear about the love of God and smooth and pleasant things. By nature we are they "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:" Isaiah 30:10. We want to hear how "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" (which doesn't really involve us giving up our sins and isn't what the Bible teaches to begin with) but we aren't really interested in His forgiveness and mercy all <i>that much</>. Why?
There's very little for Him to forgive, we think.
It reminds me of the woman who wiped Christ's feet with her hair:
Luke 7:44-47 "And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
So when I considered Newton's words, with a believer's mindset of being a redeemed filthy sinner, still subject to sin in his body, it does speak the unintelligible groanings of the heart.
I guess maybe I did find a hymn which gave voice to the inaudible stirrings in my heart as I considered my own sinfulness.
The old hymns are full of that.
Let me know what ya'll think.
I was trying to find a hymn whose words were on the edge of my mental tongue today... something about coming to God with a heart that fears (as in, a heart which fears its own wickedness will strike out continually)... I can't remember the wording. Anyway, I didn't find it, but came upon a hymn by John Newton and thought it was quite striking.
Quiet, Lord, my froward heart
John Newton
(from the Olney Hymns)
Quiet, Lord, my froward [wicked] heart,
Make me teachable and mild,
Upright, simple, free from art,
Make me as a weanèd child:
From distrust and envy free,
Pleased with all that pleases Thee.
What Thou shalt today provide,
Let me as a child receive;
What tomorrow may betide,
Calmly to Thy wisdom leave:
’Tis enough that Thou wilt care,
Why should I the burden bear?
As a little child relies
On a care beyond his own;
Knows he’s neither strong nor wise,
Fears to stir a step alone:
Let me thus with Thee abide,
As my Father, Guard, and Guide.
Thus preserved from Satan’s wiles,
Safe from dangers, free from fears;
May I live upon Thy smiles,
Till the promised hour appears;
When the sons of God shall prove
All their Father’s boundless love.
So I wondered about the question: Why don't the hold hymns resonate anymore?
I think it's because we don't really think of ourselves anymore (or never did consider ourselves) <i>really</i> sinners. That explains well why people want to hear about the love of God and smooth and pleasant things. By nature we are they "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:" Isaiah 30:10. We want to hear how "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" (which doesn't really involve us giving up our sins and isn't what the Bible teaches to begin with) but we aren't really interested in His forgiveness and mercy all <i>that much</>. Why?
There's very little for Him to forgive, we think.
It reminds me of the woman who wiped Christ's feet with her hair:
Luke 7:44-47 "And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
So when I considered Newton's words, with a believer's mindset of being a redeemed filthy sinner, still subject to sin in his body, it does speak the unintelligible groanings of the heart.
I guess maybe I did find a hymn which gave voice to the inaudible stirrings in my heart as I considered my own sinfulness.
The old hymns are full of that.
Let me know what ya'll think.
