God does indeed work in mysterious ways.
In 1768, he would fuse the lives of a former slave ship captain and a poet suffering chronic depression into a friendship that yielded a strong picture of biblical, brotherly love and a faithful collection of truth set to perspicuous meter. John Newton and William Cowper, with overlapping fears concerning assurance of God's love, mined the Scriptures, wrestling with truths of God's faithfulness from both Testaments. Learning of God's amazing grace over shame and guilt--even Cowper being spared from numerous suicide attempts--their collection of 348 hymns, The Olney Hymns, was a very personal and soul-shaping effort and stands as an ebenezer of sorts to the evangelical church today.
In 1779, the collection was first published--numerous iterations following. In the original preface, Newton makes clear the publication's two-fold purpose: "to perpetuate the remembrance of an intimate and endeared friendship" and "promote faith and comfort among believers." Undoubtedly, many individuals throughout the ages have benefited from reflecting on and singing corporately tunes such as "Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound," "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," "O for a Closer Walk with God," among a myriad of other Gospel-reflecting numbers.
I recently have been meditating on two hidden gems within the collection--one penned by Newtown, the other by Cowper. Both provide insight into the power of prayer and motivation toward its practice. Instead of offering comments here, my encouragement and call is for you to spend time prayerfully considering the following lines. Like Newton, my desire is to see believers' faith deepen and their comfort streaming constantly from the steady hands of their kind and mighty Redeemer.
Enjoy and be strengthened in the Lord!
Hymn # 1: "Exhortation to Prayer" (William Cowper)
What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy–seat?
Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there.
Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the christian’s armor bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel’s side;
But when through weariness they failed,
That moment Amalek prevailed.
Have you no words? ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain;
And fill your fellow–creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heav’n in supplication sent;
Your cheerful song would oft’ner be,
Hear what the LORD has done for me.
Hymn # 2: "Power of Prayer" (John Newton)
In themselves, as weak as worms,
How can poor believers stand;
When temptations, foes, and storms,
Press them close on every hand?
Weak, indeed, they feel they are,
But they know the throne of grace;
And the God, who answers prayer,
Helps them when they seek his face.
Though the Lord awhile delay,
Succor they at length obtain;
He who taught their hearts to pray,
Will not let them cry in vain.
Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.
Hezekiah on his knees
Proud Assyria’s host subdued;
And when smitten with disease,
Had his life by prayer renewed.
Peter, though confined and chained,
Prayer prevailed and brought him out;
When Elijah prayed, it rained,
After three long years of drought.
We can likewise witness bear,
That the LORD is still the same,
Though we feared he would not hear,
Suddenly deliverance came.
For the wonders he has wrought,
Let us now our praises give;
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.
Comments