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Series

TLH Hymn 577 “God Bless Our Native Land”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (THIRTY-Third IN A SERIES)

History indicates that nations or governments almost never last more than five hundred years. By that measure, the United States of America today would be considered middle-aged. Although she may seem a great power that can never be toppled, so did the Roman Empire at one time. And remember the old saying, “The sun never sets on the British Empire”? Well, it does now. Therefore we would do well to keep the nation in our prayers because one of these years she could be gone—along with all our treasured security and freedoms.

Prayers for our country are always appropriate, as the Apostle Paul indicates: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV84) So one may hear national and patriotic hymns in church, especially during the first week of July. One of the most stirring of these is the prayer expressed by the poem “God Bless Our Native Land” (TLH 577).Read More »TLH Hymn 577 “God Bless Our Native Land”

TLH Hymn 240 “Father Most Holy, Merciful, and Tender”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (THIRTY-second IN A SERIES)

The doctrine of the Trinity has been called “The supreme mystery which theology is to proclaim.”1 The Bible clearly teaches that there is one and only one God, and that this one true God exists as three separate persons—yet each person individually is fully God, not one third of God. Martin Luther wrote and preached much on the subject, but always with the understanding that the nature of God is, ultimately, beyond human understanding. So, for example, he said with regard to this doctrine, “Here reason, corrupted by original sin, must be taken captive in the obedience of faith, nay, must be extinguished together with its light and wisdom.”Read More »TLH Hymn 240 “Father Most Holy, Merciful, and Tender”

“On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build” TLH Hymn 216

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (THIRTY-FIRST IN A SERIES)

“On Christ’s ascension I now build/ The hope of mine ascension.” (verse 1)

When Christ returns on Judgment Day, you, along with all believers, will ascend bodily into heaven, to be forever with Him where there is no sorrow, no tear, and everlasting joy.  This fundamental Christian doctrine is scorned by many “modernists” as “pie in the sky bye and bye”—mere wishful thinking.  However, our confidence in this truth is unshakably founded on the inerrant Word of God and confirmed by the historical fact of Christ’s Ascension.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus tells His disciples, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  When the resurrected Jesus later visibly ascended into heaven, that historical event—witnessed by the apostles—confirmed His promise.  Josua Wegelin (1604-1640) provides an additional reason for our assurance.  He writes, “For where the Head is, there full well/ I know His members are to dwell/ When Christ shall come and call them.” (verse 1)Read More »“On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build” TLH Hymn 216