Just Pondering
|
Rick Branan |
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7-8 (CSBBible)
John Hart Stockton, a Methodist minister, was born in 1813, and died in 1877. He was a member of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the successive pastoral charges that he filled as a member of that Conference are found in the Conference Journal.
He was not only a preacher, but a musician and composer of tunes, as well as hymn writer. He published two gospel song books: Salvation Melodies, 1874, and Precious Songs, 1875.
Hymn Writers of the Church by Charles Nutter, 1911
Down at the Cross
Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His name!
Glory to His name,
Glory to His name;
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His name!
I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides with-in;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His name!
Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His name!
Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His name!
Written by E.A. Hoffman
Toni and I have been doing a study on the Names of God by Tony Evans. This week we have studied the name, Lamb of God. You might recall John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus, call Him the Lamb of God who takes away our sin (John 1:29). The picture is of the Passover lamb whose blood was painted over the doorpost to cover the house from the Death Angel in Exodus. Jesus Christ fulfilled the role by dying on the cross. His blood covered our sins once and for all as 1 Peter 3 reminds us.
In his hymn, E.A. Hoffman penned “Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin.” That fountain is the blood of Christ. We have access to the power of His blood. Evans points out that Christ’s blood covers us from our sins but protects us from the evil Satan has instore for us.
In scoring Hoffman’s text, John Stockton repeats “Glory to His name” numerous times. Can you sing “Glory” because you have been covered by the blood of Christ our Passover Lamb? Praise the Lord if you can. If you can’t, make that decision today to repent from your sin and accept the Lamb of God as your Lord and Savior.
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick