Kelly and I, as well as Chad, talk often about the old songs we grew up with in church, because we're MK's and PK's. For the most part, I grew up in a megachurch, but it was the Christian Reformed brand of megachurch, which couldn't be quite as progressive as many other megachurches were being in the 90's. So while we did the Marantha praise songs, as they were called, we also still sang a lot of hymns. One that we did not sing but I still remember being automatically turned off by the title and hoping to never ever sing, was "Safely Through Another Week." Here are the lyrics: (I dare you to go here and listen to it!)
Safely through another week God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek, on th’approaching Sabbath day;
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest,
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.
Mercies multiplied each hour through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power, fed and guided by His hand;
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin,
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin.
While we pray for pardoning grace, through the dear Redeemer’s Name,
Show Thy reconciled face, shine away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee,
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee.
Here we come Thy Name to praise, let us feel Thy presence near,
May Thy glory meet our eyes, while we in Thy house appear:
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.
When the morn shall bid us rise, may we feel Thy presence near:
May Thy glory meet our eyes, when we in Thy house appear:
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.
May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints;
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above,
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above!
OK, so, by FAR the worst line in the while song is the title line.
Why? Because why do I care so much about "th'approaching Sabbath day" if what I'm living for, my goal for the week, is to make it through safely? If each day is safe and easy, my simple routine where none of my feathers get rustled, then the importance of a day of rest and re-connection decreases.
The attitude of the rest of the song is more fitting to the person who struggles with personal issues, toils to make ends meet, wrestles with his cross, suffers pain for the glory of God. For that person, "a taste of our everlasting feast" every Sunday would sure take on more meaning. That person treasures the day he meets with his brothers and sisters in Christ, hears from God, meets with God, and is strengthened for more Kingdom work for the next week.
Only pray to be brought safely through the week if you're also praying to be challenged and developed into the person God wants you to be.
2 comments:
Some people are praying to just make it through the week. Some the day. Some the hour. I find it harsh when I hear critical comments on a particular song or hymn that God may be using to console, convict or heal a certain person at a certain time. We all are not in the same place. I know for me for a long time I would pray for Sunday to get here as fast as it could because it felt like an island I was washed off of on Monday and could rest again away from the sharks of my sin.
Thank God for all those songs and hymns that we heard and learned when we were growing toward Him. Remember them with gladness not disdain because that is how Christ remembers our sin.
I do cherish many of the old hymns. I dare say I own more hymnals than most people. The hymn I spoke of is full of great concepts--I actually enjoy the words of this hymn a lot.
I think I write to those long-time Christians who are playing it safe doing the church thing. In that, I write to myself. God has more for us. He wants us to come to a place where being brought safely through the week is a prayer we pray because we face struggles and dangers.
Many, many people in our church today ARE facing dangers, are struggling, are just hoping to make it through the week without losing job, house, marriage, etc. For them, for all of us, this song holds a lot of meaning. May we hold its truth dear.
Maybe someone out there has put it to a more modern tune?
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