Friday, January 17, 2014

"In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear."

"In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear."
Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding” – Anna L Waring
Various Tunes – most common in the U.S. is NYLAND

Today is my wife Carlita’s birthday, and this is her favorite.

The hymn opens with these phrases:
    In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;
    For safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here.


It’s a hymn about spiritual stability. When surrounded by and supported by the deep, deep love of Jesus, no matter how many storms rage about us, we have no reason to fear. There is a certain safety factor which is unsurpassed by another other shelter in the time of storm.

Our lives go through so many changes. Every paradigm seems to be shifting – and some of those paradigms have been our way of life, way of worship, way of doing things for all our years. But even when caught up in the squall of constant adjustments, we can be confident that this love of God has not and will not change… and neither will our relationship with God.

We can abide confidently in him as he abides in us… as branches – offshoots – of who God is, producing fruit in every season, even the tempestuous ones.

Lots of public buildings now have a sign on the outside that reads “Safety Zone.”  Those have been designated for people who are living their lives in fear of someone who may want to do them harm. We all desire a place we can count on – a hiding place. For those of us who seek him, God becomes for us that kind of refuge… our safety zone.

Speaking of birthdays, the final stanza says this:
    My life I cannot measure, the path of life is free.
    My Savior has my treasure, and he will walk with me.


“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it, and they are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Need a place to hide out for a while? Start running away from your troubles; run instead toward that strong tower.


A Choir Sings the Familiar NYLAND Tune

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Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)