Happy Easter everyone!
This morning in church we sang the well-known hymn “Amazing Grace”. It struck a cord with my Spirit and I didn’t want the song to end. Though this song is an old favorite, many do not know it’s background.
Believe it or not, the writer, John Newton, was a former slave holder during the British Trans-Atlantic slave trade. After years of transporting slaves from Africa to the New World, his conscience got the best of him and he quit the trade all together. His later years were spent in a monestary. Though he lived a solitary life-style, every second he was haunted by the ghosts of those who died while under his control. Their faces would not leave his memory.
Eventually he started to go blind, until one day his sight left him altogether. It was at this time that “Amazing Grace” was born. I love the irony of the phrase “I was blind, but now I see”…though his earthly eyes were failing him, his spiritual sight was growing brighter with each day. As John would dictact the stories of hundreds of slaves, a scribe would record each precious account…
John Newton knew he was a sinner. But he also knew the grace of God had set him free. The blood of the lamb had washed him clean…
So, he penned the following song that still reverberates around the world today…
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
It is my ferverent prayer that all experience God’s grace in their life today. Unexplainable freedom breaks the chains that once bound – both spiritually and physically.
Please join this week (March 23-31st) as we honor the men and women who lost thier life while toiling under the chains of bondage…and for the millions of individuals who are – TODAY – still enslaved around the globe. For the young women in Thailand who are sold as sex slaves, for the families in Pakistan who work day and night as bonded laborers in a brick kiln, and for the the children who are being sold right now in Haiti.
Tonight, at 8pm CST, we kick off the nation-wide prayer call. Everyone is welcome! To call in, dial 1-218-486-1600 followed by the access code 472085#.
Please visit our website at www.freewebs.com/baht for the list of speakers who will be sharing on the nightly conference calls.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
