Thursday, June 21, 2018

“The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find.”


Hymn: “He Lives” 
Words & Music: Alfred H. Ackley (1887-1960)
Tune: ACKLEY

We sang this one a lot when I was growing up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. When it is sung nowadays, it’s usually around Easter; but it is truly an all-year hymn. In spite of its toe-tapping tune, there are lots of pithy little statements in this hymn from the 1930’s. Let’s explore one of those today!

Those who seek Christ find him. It’s a biblical promise: “If with all your heart you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me.” (Deuteronomy 4:29) Our very finding of him gives us a great hope – a sense of security.

It is important that we seek him regularly, not just once in order to enter the Kingdom – to have our hand stamped for eternity! With every return trip, our seeking produces more hope: hope upon hope.

Once we have sought him out and found him, we realize the help he wants to provide. There is an abundance of assistance available to those who have come seeking – and finding. It’s hard for most of us – especially men – to ask for directions, much less assistance. For some reason we have decided that we can all make it on our own.

Each of us knows how much we love it when someone dear to us asks us for help. There is something heart-warming about being asked to step in and assist in a time of struggle. I think God is like that with his loved-ones – those mutually found by him. Not only is he able to help, he is willing… and eager!

The Living Savior after whose likeness we seek, is also a Giving Savior – giving aid and assistance to those in need… and that would be all of us!

He is our hope and our help. Let us not give up hope or turn away from his help. They make for a very good balance, don’t you think?

Hear Allan Jackson Sing This Hymn

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Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)