Come Ye Sinners!

I have known this song all my life and never really liked it. Then I heard Todd Agnew sing his version of it and for the first time, I really heard the words.

I was blown away that this was the same song.

(For once the new arrangement is better than the original.)

This arrangement has a quieter, more sincere feel.

The words paint such a wonderful picture of salvation.

It is that of a broken and seeking heart and that of a Saviour,

waiting with outstretched arms,

calling to us and ready to welcome us home.

I love the response the writer gives to Christ's call,

"I will arise and go to Jesus!"

What a picture of a soul, bound and beaten down, realizing that he no longer has to stay in the horrible pit of sin. I can imagine, from out of the rubble around him, hearing a voice and seeing someone beckoning; knowing that the One calling is there to rescue. I can picture that soul leaping up and joyfully shouting "I will arise and go!", and when he does, he finds hope, peace and freedom.

We are that soul. Think of it!

We, being sick and wounded, ruined with sin, can arise and go (running!) to Jesus, pleading the merit of His blood and know He will embrace us, forgive our sins and hold us in His arms, forever.

We so easily forget what an amazing thing it is, this miracle of salvation. But may we never get over the awe of a God who loved us so much that He died for us while we were still sinners. And knowing our sin, our guilt, our pain, He called us to Himself to cleanse us, heal us and carry us Home.

~

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,

Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty,
come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him,
venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

-Joseph Hart, 1759

The truth of all of us

We recently watching "Amazing Grace", the story of William Wilberforce.
It is a pretty good movie all around but one quote stuck out at me that I can't help but remember. The scence set-up was that William was talking with his old pastor who happened to be John Newton. Newton, in talking about his fading memory, said though he had forgotten most things, one thing he did remember,
"...I am a great sinner but Christ is a great Savior."
I don't know if the actual John Newton said that or not but it sure is a great quote.

Ps. 116:1-9

1 I love the LORD, because He hears
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death encompassed me
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!"
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For You have rescued my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.
9 I shall walk before the LORD
In the land of the living.

~

This passage has become the voice of my soul.

I have found such a comfort from the truth in these words.

I especially love verse 7. Return to your rest, O my soul!

These verses are just what I have needed.

My pastor is the one who sent them to me via email knowing the

struggles I am facing.

The words have struck a cord deep within me that

resonates them over and over in a contining prayer and

shout of praise to our Lord.