"Scripture, Spirit, Saints and Song"

Mornings are always interesting to me. I awake with an array of ideas, agendas, hopes and an occasional, though rare, anxiety. The best wake up call are songs and hymns that have shaped me, added ballast to my faith, or simply make me smile.

On summer days in the 50's I often traveled an hour to work, each way, in the car with my Dad. The family station was Detroit’s WJR with morning host J. P. McCarthy. One of the playful songs of the era, "Standing on the Corner" sometimes still rattles around inside.
Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by.
Those lyrics, sung by the Four Lads, are quite innocent compared to contemporary Hip Hop lyrics. Later, I wondered if I violated Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount teaching about adultery by singing along with the Four Lads!

This morning, though, I awoke with the memory of Highway Tabernacle’s pipe organ pealing out an introduction and the congregation singing a Wesleyan tune.
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
The lyrics invariably get caught in my throat, my eyes tear, and my spirit is revived as I and others humbly boast –
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Yesterday we wrote that God guides us with Scripture, Spirit and Saints. I would suggest that we add Song and expand the guidance trio to a quartet. And, I pray that you awake to music as transforming and powerful as Wesley’s.