Jun
17
What are we waiting for?
Filed by Becky Albrecht Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
On Sunday as we gathered with God’s people for worship, a hymn that we sang was one written by Joseph Hart in 1759. I find it interesting that the thoughts of which Mr. Hart wrote of so many years ago seem to me just as prevalent today.
Mr. Hart wrote, “Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love and power.”
Mr. Hart may have been remembering the invitation of Jesus Himself, Who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
It seems that Mr. Hart also anticipated a thought that is as prevalent today as it was when he wrote his hymn. He wrote, “If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all.”
How many of us feel that we are not ‘good enough’ to seek after or serve God? How many of us think, “When I get myself better, then I’ll follow Christ…”?
An understandable feeling, but one which sadly misses the great news of the gospel, “…that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures …” (I Corinthians 15:3). Jesus Himself said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) In his hymn, Mr. Hart reminds us of this important truth: “All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him.”
A question each of us might ask ourselves: “What am I waiting for?”
The Bible says, “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:2)
In the Bible we also read: ”…if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Maybe it’s time to give the words of Mr. Hart some thought:
Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity joined with pow’r:
He is able,
He is able,
He is able,
He is willing; doubt no more.
Come, ye needy, come and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Ev’ry grace that brings you nigh,
Without money,
Without money,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and broken by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all:
Not the righteous,
Not the righteous,
Not the righteous,
Sinners Jesus came to call.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him;
This he gives you,
This he gives you,
This he gives you;
‘Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of his blood;
Venture on him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude:
None but Jesus,
None but Jesus,
None but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
–Joseph Hart, 1759
http://www.opc.org/books/TH/old/Blue393.html
