Praising God Through Hymns

By: Shari A. Miller

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. ~ Psalm 105:2 (NIV)

When I came home from college back in the early 90's, I yearned for something more.

My friends were married and now living in different parts of the country and I felt a little lost. I wanted a deeper relationship with Christ, a way to praise Him in song that didn't involve what I thought to be, the "dry and outdated" music of the past. I can remember going to church and telling my parents about the praise and worship music that was sung in other churches, and how I wished they would sing praise and worship music in our church.

Long story short, they eventually did start singing it in our church and I was so happy that times were changing. I loved the new songs and the joy they brought to my heart. However, eventually, it seemed as if that's all they sung and the hymns started to become little to non existent.

When my children were in their early teens I started to long for the comforts of old. I longed for the hymns that I remembered singing as a child. I was saddened by the fact that my children were going to miss out on a very important aspect of church history, worshiping God through hymns.

It's funny how individuals change. When we are younger it seems as if we long for the newest, fanciest thing. Then we get older, and maybe a little wiser, and we realize that what we had before us, is what we wanted all along.

Now, I have nothing against praise and worship music. I actual love both praise and worship music and hymns. But, there is just something extra special to me about praising God through hymns, it brings me comfort as I rest in the words of the Savior's grace and goodness towards us.

Often times, out of the blue, a song will run through my mind that I remember singing as a child. One of my favorites is, "My Jesus I love Thee."

My Jesus I Love Thee

1. My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
   For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
   My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
2. I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
   And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
   I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
3. I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
   And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
   And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
4. In mansions of glory and endless delight,
   I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
   I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
   If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
5. ~ William R. Featherston
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Do you have a favorite hymn? Do you have a special memory that's attached to a hymn from your past? How do hymns draw you closer to the Lord?

It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

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