“To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh”

“To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh”

Hymn: “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”

Text: George Crowley (1780-1860)

Tune: MORECAMBE

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh.

The unbearable struggles of the soul. This is something with which we all identify for sure --those back-and-forth-with-God times when we argue with our Maker and ourselves for hours on end… perhaps even for a lifetime. In the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, I sometimes stand amazed; other times I sit defeated. How about you?

This is when I have to do a self-check. Unlike my annual physical, I must do this kind of spiritual examination much more often if I am to stay healthy and maintain a right-relationship with my Blessed Redeemer.

During these assessments, I “check the rising doubt” and curb my rebellious leanings. Doubts? Surely not. I’ve been gladly tethered to the Almighty for as many years as I’ve had breath – first through Hedy and Raymond, then on my own.

Doubt is a struggle of the soul… so is rebellion. Even when our rebellion is beneath the surface and our doubts are never voiced, they can be a struggle of the soul.

This wonderfully-written personal prayer-hymn lays it all out there; it is a raw confession: I struggle, I doubt, I sigh. It also seeks renovation… change.

“Spirit of God, I struggle in my soul; help me to bear up under those strivings to be a victor and not a conquered one. I wrestle with doubt, and I grapple with recurring tendencies to rebel; keep those in check in order that I may not loose faith. I don’t know what I would do without you. Amen.”

Heather Sorenson’s arrangement of this hymn: https://youtu.be/rep4bc3blVY

“No, never alone. He promised…”

“No, never alone. He promised…”

Hymn: “Never Alone”

Text and Tune: Anonymous

In a good report from our friend Nina Pollard this morning about her cancer treatments, I was reminded of this gospel song we sang in my nurturing years in east Tennessee. Although it was published in 18 hymnals, the author/composer is unknown. B.B. McKinney arranged the setting with which we’re most familiar.

The encouragement of the refrain in 6/8 is what makes this one memorable… almost inescapable. Also, the intentional breath taken after each “no” contributes to its appeal. If you’ve sung it, you know whereof I speak!

Loneliness is widespread, even among those who are not alone. One can feel terribly alone in a roomful of acquaintances… or even with the few people we cherish most. I don’t think I need to try to over-explain that because we’ve all been there… or may even BE there.

Those two words “He promised” are the ones which make this more than just some happy little tune for a tent-meeting. “He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.” That warms my spirit, encourages my resolve, and enriches my walk. I hope it does that for you.

There are references to natural wonders (lightning, thunder, breakers) from which Christ is our protector. But those which seem most relevant are worldly winds, temptations, lack of friends; then time in the valley of affliction, treading the road of care, getting our feet caught in the briars. These are descriptors of where many of us find ourselves on occasion… maybe even frequently. According to the text, in times like these, the Savior stands in the gap, helps with the cross-bearing, whispering a blessed assurance.

The next time we find ourselves feeling alone, let’s revert back to our 1950’s growing-up church experiences and be reassured that we are never alone because he promised us that we wouldn’t be. Sing the first “no” of the chorus, take a deep breath and move ahead… with the One whose promises are sure.

If you don’t know this hymn, listen to it here: https://youtu.be/jrAhLb000y8

“God gives a song in the night season and all the day long.”

[This Hymn Line was first posted 02/09/2015. I posted another entry on this hymn a couple of weeks ago during the sheltering-in-space; this one has a little different approach.]

“God gives a song in the night season and all the day long.”

Songbird Logo from HYMN LINES

 

 

 

Hymn: “God Leads Us Along” – Words and music by G. A. Young

Tune: GOD LEADS US

Although this hymn is about how God leads his dear children along through life’s struggles, this is how the refrain ends, completing each stanza with the God-provided gift of song! This is the kind of hymn with which we retired ministers of music resonate!

I wish I could calculate the number of times a song has pulled me through a “night season.” For me, it has most often been a line from a hymn; that’s basically why I started this blog in the first place!

Several years ago, I realized that the contemporary scene in church music had invaded my traditional space. It happened when in the midst of confusion and seeming helplessness I caught myself singing, “Nothing is too difficult for Thee,” (from the chorus “Ah, Lord God”). At that dark, pivotal moment, God gave me a new song… new to me at the time.

I am thankful for the Word of God and its ability to minister to me in times of difficulty. I am also grateful to those who write the hymns and songs that come to me in shady green pastures and in the valley in the darkest of night. Through waters, flood, fire, great sorrow – I am often led out by a song, sung to me by the Inventor of sound. And with a God-breathed song in my heart I can face whatever the long day might bring my way.

From the Gaither Homecoming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LLPZjBYnhk