Hymn: “There Is a Fountain” – William Cowper (1731-1800)
Tune: CLEANSING FOUNTAIN
This hymn written by a fine Englishman is set to an early
American melody… and it is familiar to almost all evangelical groups. I realize
that some major churches avoid “blood talk” or “blood songs.” Those
congregations won’t be featuring this one any time soon! It paints a picture of
the blood-redeeming act of God through his Son on the cross.
But the last line of the hymn is the one I want to deal with
today because I have long-believed and ‘preached’ the love of Christ which
redeems us – frees us – and sets us on our pilgrimage of faith. Some of us
stepped into the kingdom at a young age… at Vacation Bible School, church youth
camp, perhaps a series of revival services. Others of us came to trust Christ
later in life. Either way, since the time we began to wade into the bloody
stream and first understood that God’s loving sacrifice of his only begotten
Son has indeed provided our redemption, that has been the theme of our life –
through what we say (preach) and through how we live (example).
Set to this tune, we repeat the phrase and shall be till I
die several times, underscoring our commitment to hang on to our faith from
here on in… until we are face to face with Christ our Savior for all time.
As we make those repetitions, I feel myself renewing that lifelong
commitment – rededicating the remainder of my days – to the One whose wounds
supplied the eternal-life-giving solution to my sinful state. This transfusion
made us “blood brothers” in the kingdom; I am his, and he is mine. This is how
I became a member of the family of God.
Redeeming love has
been my theme, and shall be till I die, and
shall be till I die, and shall be
till I die. Redeeming love has been my theme, AND SHALL BE TILL I DIE.
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