I am amazed at how many times God will speak in just a few words.  Yet, those few words can be so powerful in our lives if we heed them.  This week I have been particularly drawn to a hymn, which simply means “praise song to God.”  The hymn is “Jesus Paid It All.”

Even though I learned this hymn several years ago, I was drawn to this hymn while planning the songs for the upcoming Sunday service at my home church.  Needless to say, I had never played the hymn before, so I spent some time earlier this week learning the arrangement.  When I take the time to learn a song, I find that many times I really “get” the lyrics and start to understand the meaning of the song, which is usually more than meets the eye at first.

There is one thing about the hymns of old.  Lyrically, they are beautiful and rich masterpieces.  I have been particularly drawn to the first verse of “Jesus Paid It All”:

I hear the Savior say

“Thy strength indeed is small

Child of weakness, watch and pray

Find in Me thine all in all”

“Thy strength indeed is small” jumped out at me.  Yes, I am so very weak.  I am tired a lot.  Most nights when my head hits the pillow, I am asleep in record-setting time.  God never points out something, like the fact I am weak, without also giving me a solution.  He tells me time and again in His Word that He is my strength.  And this is precisely why the songwriter wrote “Find in Me thine all in all.”  I am to find my strength in Him.  Check out Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV):

He gives strength to the weary

And increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

And young men stumble and fall;

But those who hope in the Lord

Will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

They will run and not grow weary,

They will walk and not be faint.

 That word “hope” in the King James Version is “wait.”  As I “wait” in the Lord, I’ll find my strength.  God has been speaking to me about drawing strength from His presence.  Of course, I actually have to spend time in His presence to gain strength!  So, I have been purposely seeking out time to spend with Him, to “wait” on Him, even if it means just sitting in His presence and not doing anything.  Yeah, that’s right.  Sometimes I simply “wait” in God’s presence.  Of course, that’s what Mary did.  She sat at His feet.  And remember, Jesus told Martha that she needed to be more like Mary.  And, for those of you that know me, I’m much more like Martha than Mary by nature.  However, I’m learning to be like Mary.  May you be encouraged today to find your strength in Him, and in Him alone.

Here’s the links to a couple songs you may enjoy listening to while sitting in the presence of the Lord…

Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brVIlXlJRkQ

Everlasting God by Brenton Brown – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqxgDjDXvCg