A Song for our Month of Missions

A couple of hours ago we announced that all our activities this weekend at CPC are cancelled because we are expecting a "storm of historic proportions" to blanket our area with a whole lot of snow. That means (for those keeping track out there) that the start of our Month of Missions will have to wait yet another week to begin.

One of the things that I will have to put off until next week is my plan to introduce (or 'revive' depending on your familiarity with the Trinity Hymnal) a song entitled, How Sweet and Aweful is the Place written by Isaac Watts in 1707. I love the beautiful melody in the Trinity Hymnal, but it is the lyrics that I want to bring to your attention in this post.

The hymn takes us on a journey of wonder as the singer (sinner) discovers God's mercy and loving-kindness to sinners, marvels at God's transforming grace, and proclaims the Holy Spirit produced phenomena that causes our hearts to desire to participate with Him in His ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:11-21).

Verse one describes the assembly of the saints in worship marveling at the glorious Bridegroom:

How sweet and aweful is the place with Christ within the doors,
While everlasting Love displays the choicest of her stores!

Although the updated Trinity Hymnal lyric says 'sweet and awesome', the original phrase was sweet and aweful. The first time I encountered this song several years ago that definitely caused me to pause and consider what I was hearing. The term, awful is commonly used now-a-days for something unpleasant, or of poor quality, but it literally means something that is full of awe or awe inspiring. The place where Christ is lifted up and adored is a sweet and aweful place.

Verses two through four reflect the jaw-dropping realization of the predestinating, unconditionally electing, undeserved favor that believers receive as a free gift of God's amazing grace:

While all our hearts and all our songs join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues, "Lord, why was I a guest?"

"Why was I made to hear thy voice, and enter while there's room,
When thousands make a wretched choice, and rather starve than come?"

'Twas the same love that spread the feast that sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste, and perished in our sin.

We are reminded of what the 11th hour worker might have experienced in Jesus' parable in Matthew 20:1-16 as he was given according to his need, NOT according to what he deserved. Amazing!

Then the hymn takes an interesting turn to look outside of ourselves to the world around us and Watts gives us voice to intercede on behalf of the nations. Note the ordinary means of God's Word preached that is the vehicle by which the 'strangers will ultimately be brought home.'

Verses five and six are the reason why I wanted us to sing this as a congregation during our month of missions:

Pity the nations, O our God! constrain the earth to come;
Send Thy victorious Word abroad, and bring the strangers home.

We long to see thy churches full, that all the chosen race,
May with one voice, and heart and soul, sing Thy redeeming grace.

I have to be honest here - is that my 'heart for missions'? Do I long to see His churches full of persevering pilgrims awaiting the glorious return of the King who came to deliver His people from their sins? I want to grow in that.

Over the last week as it became clearer every day that we were in for a major snow event. We were warned to be prepared. If you ventured into a grocery store in recent days you saw many people heeding those warnings (I was in both Food Lion AND Giant twice each - ask me later why). We won't know the extent of this storm until Saturday or Sunday. However, there is coming a Day when all humanity will be judged by the righteous standard of a Holy God. Not only do we have the clear warning of the Scriptures to prepare for that Day, we also have the exceedingly good news of great joy which shall be for all people - both locally and globally.

I look forward to being able to sing How Sweet and Aweful is the Place with the congregation of CPC and, by God's grace, to live out the song together.

Pastor Tim