Do you know any hymns? In my growing-up years, my dad would sing us to sleep with the hymns. I’ve done the same with my boys, committing more and more to memory over the years. Admittedly, a few of the hymns have some wonky theology, but overall they are a rich genre of Scripture set to music, the most memorable and memorizable thought-form. And – we’re so very fortunate! – a plethora of artists are re-singing and re-arranging the hymns for us in contemporary ways: beautiful and fresh and rich. (Check out Jadon Lavik’s channel on Pandora, for example.)
I often find myself singing the same hymn over and over for a season, usually related to what’s going on in my life with God, and it has the added benefit of easing its commitment to memory. God has used the hymns to minister to me over and over again; they are a spiritual practice which I hope to pass along to my kids as my dad passed it along to me.
Anyway, this is my hymn for this season. I heard it again recently at Cru conference and it exploded in my head and heart as I thought about my love for my kids and then about Jesus’ love for me, His kid.
I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous)
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner condemned, unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
For me it was in the garden,
He prayed: “Not my will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat-drops of blood for mine.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry,
And suffered, and died alone.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!