(1) O Love that Will Not Let Me Go

Born in Scotland in 1842, Dr. George Matheson from his earliest childhood had deteriorating eyesight. By the time he was eighteen he became totally blind. In spite of the handicap, he distinguished himself as a brilliant student at Edinburgh University, earning a doctorate. Later, he established himself as an eminent preacher and writer and was honoured by an invitation from Queen Victoria to preach at Balmoral Castle.

When the young lady to whom he was engaged found out that he had become blind, she refused to marry him. Out of that rejection, he wrote of a love that was steadfast and unfailing amidst all the circumstances of life, gave us the devotional treasure, “O Love that Will Not Let Me Go.”

The scene brought before us in these four verses is deeply interesting.–We see young children brought to Christ, “that He should touch them,” and the disciples rebuking those that brought them. We are told that when Jesus saw this He was “much displeased,” and rebuked His disciples in words of a very remarkable tenor. And finally we are told, that “He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them and blessed them.”

(1) Revival Hymns and Choruses Reprinted

Thank God for 300 copies of the Revival Hymns and Choruses (RHC) delivered on 3 September 2014 to Blessed Hope BP Church. We have been praying for God’s guiding hand in the reprint of the RHC for over one year. It is with much thanksgiving that we see the ‘fruition’ of the end product. Today, with much rejoicing, we use the hymnals for worship.

Ezra 5:1-17 (KJV)

1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

(1) Blessedness of Growing in the LORD (Psalm 119:97-144)

The psalmist experienced the good hand of God in his life. The LORD delivered, comforted, loved, chastened moulded, helped and upheld him through life’s pathways. The LORD was very real in his life. He could not see the invisible God but he experienced His abiding presence. He drew close to God by meditating on His Word. He saw the value of God’s Word throughout his life’s journey.