Blessed Assurance
For our Gospel did not come to you in word only . . .
1 Thessalonians 1:5
One of the most beloved hymns of the Christian faith is "Blessed Assurance." Written by Fanny Crosby, a prolific hymn writer who was blind from infancy, this hymn, based on 1 Thessalonians 1:5, beautifully captures the essence of our confidence and assurance in Jesus Christ.
The first line of the hymn, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine," echoes the very foundation of our faith. In Christ, we have the blessed assurance that He is ours, and we are His. This assurance is not based on mere words or wishful thinking but on the powerful reality of the Gospel. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the Gospel they received did not come in word only but in power. It is the power of the Holy Spirit working in us that brings the assurance of our salvation.
The next line says, "Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!" As believers, we experience glimpses of God's glory in our lives. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the hope and joy that awaits us in eternity. Our present experiences of God's goodness and faithfulness are a foretaste, a small preview, of the glorious future we will have with Him.
The refrain of the hymn declares, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long." Our lives as Christians should be a continuous song of praise to our Saviour. We have a story to tell—a story of redemption, grace, and transformation. This story finds its source in the assurance we have in Jesus Christ. It is a story that resounds with gratitude and adoration for what He has done for us.
Finally, the last line proclaims, "Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Saviour am happy and blest." When we surrender ourselves fully to Christ, we find true rest and peace. In the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, our souls can find solace and tranquillity in knowing that we are held securely in the hands of our Saviour. It is in Him that we discover ultimate happiness and blessing.
I wonder, are you able to say today "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine?"
Bible Reading
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Prayer
I thank You for the blessed assurance we believers have in Jesus Christ. Fill our hearts with praise as we experience glimpses of Your glory. Help us rest in perfect submission, finding happiness and blessings in You. May Your assurance be the believer's anchor as we live out our faith and share Your love with others. In Jesus name. Amen.
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