31 Days of Hymns - Day 6

Precious Bible! What a Treasure!

Today’s hymn was very popular over 200 years ago but has become almost non-existent since the late 1940’s. It’s been sung with four different melodies and its writer is John Newton who wrote one of the most beloved hymns of today “Amazing Grace”.

Listen and sing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU5UXZuXpfE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiZgrIIcp5Y

Precious Bible! what a treasure
Does the Word of God afford?
All I want for life or pleasure,
Food and med’cine, shield and sword:

Let the world account me poor,
Having this I need no more.
Food to which the world’s a stranger,
Here my hungry soul enjoys;

Of excess there is no danger,
Though it fills, it never cloys:
On a dying Christ I feed,
He is meat and drink indeed.

When my faith is faint and sickly,
Or when Satan wounds my mind,
Cordials, to revive me quickly,
Healing med’cines here I find:

To the promises I flee,
Each affords a remedy.
In the hour of dark temptation
Satan cannot make me yield;

For the Word of consolation
Is to me a mighty shield
While the scripture truths are sure,
From his malice I’m secure.

Vain his threats to overcome me,
When I take the Spirits’ sword;
Then with ease I drive him from me.
Satan trembles at the word:

’Tis a sword for conquest made,
Keen the edge, and strong the blade.
Shall I envy then the miser
Doting on his golden store?

Sure I am, or should be, wiser,
I am rich, ’tis he is poor:
Jesus gives me in his word,
Food and med’cine, shield and sword.

Read more about this hymn and John Newton:
http://www.hymnary.org/text/precious_bible_what_a_treasure

...since it is His message, it must be interesting

Recently while listening to one of John Piper's biographies, I was especially affected by the following about John Newton.

We know him mainly as the author of Amazing Grace. But we should also know him as one of the healthiest, happiest pastors in the 18th century. People said that other pastors were respected by their people, but Newton was loved. To show you the kind of spirit he had, here is a quote that gets at the heart of how he approached the ministry:

Two heaps of human happiness and misery; now if I can take but the smallest bit from one heap and add to the other, I carry a point. If, as I go home, a child has dropped a halfpenny, and if, by giving it another, I can wipe away its tears, I feel I have done something. I should be glad to do greater things, but I will not neglect this. When I hear a knock on my study door, I hear a message from God; it may be a lesson of instruction perhaps a lesson of penitence; but, since it is his message, it must be interesting.

We should have this same attitude of accepting whatever our Lord brings us each day. For when we do, life is less frustrating when it doesn't work out as we would like and we are more open to what God shows and teaches us which then enables us to be used more fully by God. Less frustration and being used by God brings much contentment and happiness.

I especially love how Newton says it must be interesting! For indeed it must be for it is from God! This is where I find great excitement, for God is actively present in whatever the situation might be, catching my attention, revealing His greatness for I know only He can be doing this. And whether it be instruction, admonishment, or encouragement, when I pay attention to Him, life is less difficult, more joyful and definitely more interesting.