Sunday, July 31, 2016 pm
“Looking to Thee”
#434, Sacred Selections
Tonight, the 5th Sunday of this month we examine another song
we sing from time to time. I
chose this song because of the troubling times we are in.
In our songs we teach and admonish one another (Ephesians 5:19, 1
Cor. 14:15). Often times
when facing discouragement and uncertainty around us, we need to remind
ourselves with God’s word that He is still in control and all things
will work together for good according to HIS purpose (Romans 8:28).
Background, the song was written by prolific song writer James Rowe
(1865-1933). He wrote many
of the hymns we sing from time to time, including, “After the Shadows”,
“Home of the Soul”, “Love Lifted Me”, “I’m Redeemed”, “Wonderful Jesus”,
“Ring Out the Message”.
a.
Looking to Jesus
is the theme of this song.
The point is that in all things we deal with in this life we need to be
looking to Him. Hebrews
12:1-2 reminds us we are in a race.
Our Lord has finished the course and as we run this race with
endurance, we are looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith.
Hebrews 2:9 tells us that we see Jesus, crowned with glory and honor
through the suffering of death.
b.
Day to day -
Daily we need to be looking to Him
– one of the challenges we face in our busy society is a failure to
regularly look to Him. We
are distracted by so many things.
Let us resolve that daily we will look to Him – read something
about Him (in His word) and say something to Him (in prayer) every day.
c.
Trusting thy grace along the way – grace is God’s part in our salvation.
It is His grace that provided our salvation (Ephesians 2:4-9,
Romans 3:24). And His grace
sustains us. 2 Timothy 2:1,
Paul told Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 4:16, we can through Him come boldly to the throne of grace so
that we may find grace in time of need.
This grace is the object of our trust throughout this life - 1 Timothy
4:10,
“For to this end we both
labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is
the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.”
2 Corinthians 1:9-10, we trust not in ourselves, but in God who raises
the dead and delivers us.
d.
Knowing that thou will
safely keep all that is Thine
– John 10:28-29, Jesus noted that none could snatch those that belong to
Him out of His hand. The
reason for this is as the Lord said of the ruler of this world (Satan),
“he has nothing in Me.” (John 14:30)
1 John 5:4 notes that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Our God leads us “in triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14)
e.
Sure of thy soul
redeeming love, sure of a crown of life above – we have hope!
We know that Jesus loves us and gave Himself for us to redeem us – Titus
2:14, 1 Peter 1:18-19
Because of His sacrifice, AS WE LIVE OUR LIVES LOOKING TO HIM (cf. 1
John 1:6-7 – we are walking in the light), we can have assurance of a
crown of life above. As Paul
did – 2 Timothy 4:8.
James 1:12 speaks of how blessed one is who endures (overcomes)
temptations that he may receive the crown of life.
f.
Singing thy praise, I press along – is anyone joyful – let him sing (James 5:13).
As we consider the blessings and hope found in Him, it ought to
bring us joy. When we are
joyful, it causes song in our hearts.
Even as we face troubles and persecutions, realizing this we can
sing (cf. Acts 16:25).
Colossians 3:16 says we sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
g.
Savior divine
– Why, because I think of my divine savior.
The idea of divine is that which relates to being God.
Jesus is divine – John 1:1. That is the strength of our hope.
a.
Looking to Thee for all
I need –
yes we need physical sustenance in this life, but as we notice our
overall purpose, we turn to Him.
He is able to provide for us (Matthew 6:33).
2 Peter 1:3-4 – we have been given all things that pertain to
life and godliness.
We can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13).
b.
Finding in thee a friend
in deed –
we are again reminded of how Jesus is our friend (not a mere
acquaintance) – John 15:13-15 – Jesus gave His life for His friends.
We ARE His friends.
And He is there, even when others forsake us – 2 Timothy 4:16-17
c.
All of the burdens of the day meekly I bear
– we can turn to Him with our burdens – 1 Peter 5:7.
Yet, even in this we need to meekly endure.
Our part is to endure – Heb. 12:1 – we are running this race with
endurance. Hebrews
10:36 – we need endurance to receive the promise.
James 5:11 says it well, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure…”
d.
Neither the foe nor
storm I fear
– Romans 8:18, 35-39 – NOTHING can separate us from His love.
e.
Savior divine for thou
are near
– He is near – James 4:8, if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to
us.
f.
Ready my cares and troubles all freely to share
– I am with you always - Matthew 28:20, 11:28-30
a.
After a while in heaven
bright –
our time here is but a vapor (James 4:14), a passing shadow, a fleeting
moment. During our time here
we do face all sorts of the stuff we noted in vs. 2.
But in the end, when this life is over – in heaven there will be
rest and brightness. We will
determine that it truly was worth it.
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 describes how in this earthly tent we groan
for something much better
Heaven is our eternal reward – a reward for enduring throughout this
life. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that
God is the rewarder of all those who diligently seek Him.
Abraham, as an example, lived by faith and waited for the city of
God (Heb. 11:10). He and
others died knowing there was something better on the other side – Heb.
11:13-16.
Colossians 3:23-24 calls for us to do whatever we do heartily, knowing
that from the Lord we will receive our reward – which is heaven.
b.
Where there is neither
sin nor night
– Revelation 21:4 – in that place there will be no tears, sorrow, death,
crying, pain, etc.
Rev. 21:27 – nothing that defiles will enter its gates.
Rev. 22:3-5 – there will be no curse, and no night there either.
c.
I shall behold Thee face to face, Jesus my own
– Revelation 22:3-4 – we will see His face there.
Finally, after this life, we will spend our eternity with our
Lord and our Creator.
Consider His promise in John 14:1-3 – He has gone to prepare a place for
us.
d.
Then with the saved
(loved) ones gone before
– we will NOT be there alone!
While most will fail to enter (Matthew 7:13-14), the godly will
be there. Hebrews 12:22-23 –
we are surrounded by an innumerable company of angels, and the general
assembly and church of the firstborn (Jesus) who are registered in
heaven.
e.
I shall with rapture,
more and more, Praise Thee forever, near the bright beautiful shore
(Jordan) – The word rapture is not found in the Bible.
For many it is part of the false doctrine of premillenialism
which deals with our Lord’s return.
However, the word in English actually means, an utterance or
expression of ecstatic delight or joy.
The idea is someone whose joy is so great it is almost
overwhelming. Many of our
songs have this in mind when they use this word.
This was its original meaning.
In heaven, the tremendous beauty to be found there and all its wonders
will cause us to be in awe and there we will praise our heavenly Father
and our Lord and His Spirit for all of eternity.
1 Thessalonians 4:17.
Praising Him – Revelation 7:11-12, 4:8, etc.
a.
The point of this song –
no matter what we face in this life, let us resolve to continue to look
to Him.
b.
Trusting thy grace
– we addressed this in verse 1.
c.
I am as happy as a true soldier can be
– devoted soldiers gladly sacrifice for the cause they are fighting for.
We are soldiers in the army of God.
We seek to please Him in this – 2 Timothy 2:4.
d.
Nearing my own heavenly
place –
we are looking to that day when we too shall be with the godly who have
gone before – Hebrews 11:39-40 – the great examples of scripture endured
and died so that God can provide something better for them and US.
As I sing this expression, I cannot help but think of my personal hope
and place there. So many
Bible passages speak of our personal reward – Matthew 25:21, 46, 2 Tim.
4:8.
e.
Trusting Thy love I
press along, looking to Thee
– our final observation is that with our trust in Him we keep going.
As Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 – we press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
As
we began examining this song we noted that we are living in troubling
times. Like so many songs,
we find encouragement and hope as we think about things above.
This can help us as we strive to shine as lights in this crooked
and perverse generation (Phil. 2:15).
May we as we sing this song, and others, resolve to set our mind
on things above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God
(Colossians 3:2-1). Think
about it.