November 13, 2005

Have faith in God –
Where Jesus is, to be;
Have faith in God –
To know – to feel – to see;
Have faith in God –
At last the heart is free.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Blessed Assurance

Frances Jane Crosby, 1820-1915

    Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25.

    Though blinded at six weeks of age through improper medical treatment, Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 gospel song texts in her lifetime of 95 years. Her many favorites such as Blessed Assurance have been an important part of Christian worship for over a century. Only eternity will disclose the host of individuals whose lives have been spiritually enriched through the texts of Fanny Crosby's many hymns. Engraved on Fanny Jane Crosby's tombstone at Bridgeport, Connecticut are these significant words taken from our Lord's remarks to Mary, the sister of Lazarus, after she had anointed Him with costly perfume -- "She hath done what she could." Mark 14:8.

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Chorus:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long!

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission