FATHER, I STRETCH MY HANDS TO THEE, a Hymn Devotion for 21 January 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

⁶ I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. ⁷ Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: ^rHide not thy face from me, ^||Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. ⁸ Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust. Psalms 143:6-8

 

            This hymn is sometimes referred to as the ‘Martyr’s Song. Its most common tune is the same – Martyr; however I prefer the Korean Church adaptation, Auld Lang Syne -a Scotch melody.  This was the tune adapted for the first National Anthem of Korea – Ae guk Kah. The hymn is the composition of Charles Wesley (1707-1788), also the author of such hymns  as, Hark The Herald Angels Sing', 'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus , 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul' and 'Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending'. I chose this hymn in honor of my Korean brothers and sisters who are facing a strong Marxist movement that exceeds that which we have experienced in the past four years in America. Please remember the Church and people of the Republic of Korea in prayer.

FATHER, I STRETCH MY HANDS TO THEE

 

1 Father, I stretch my hands to Thee;
No other help I know.
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
O! whither shall I go?

 

2 What did Thine only Son endure,
Before I drew my breath!
What pain, what labor, to secure
My soul from endless death!

 

3 Surely Thou canst not let me die;
O speak and I shall live;
And here I will unwearied lie,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give.

 

4 Author of faith! to Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes:
O let me now receive that gift!
My soul without it dies.

 

            1 Father, I stretch my hands to Thee; No other help I know. If Thou withdraw Thyself from me, O! whither shall I go? For many of us, we must come to the very end of our road before we turn to the only power that can save us from ruin. We seem to want to try every way of amending our condition until finally turning to the operator’s manual – that Book which provides light and hope to the seeker (Holy Bible).

            2 What did Thine only Son endure, Before I drew my breath! What pain, what labor, to secure My soul from endless death! The sacrifice of Christ for His elect was decided in eternity past when there were no heavens, no earth, no living creature whatsoever. His incarnation, ministry, death and resurrection consummated His plan of salvation for His beloved Church in stark shadows of pain, suffering, and the humiliation of the cross. We often think if salvation as a free gift, and it certainly is so to the recipient of His favor, but it cost the Father His only Begotten Son – a ransom of immeasurable proportions. 

            3 Surely Thou canst not let me die; O speak and I shall live; And here I will unwearied lie, Till Thou Thy Spirit give. Christ does not ‘let’ us die – death comes upon all since the Fall of Adam in Eden. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28. But the spirit of the elect man or woman can never die. The body may lay in repose until the morning of resurrection but, like Lazarus, the spirit is given an angelic escort to the bosom of Abraham awaiting the consummation of all things. The Christian will not be subject, as are others, to the second death following the Judgment.

            4 Author of faith! to Thee I lift My weary, longing eyes: O let me now receive that gift! My soul without it dies. Faith is not a feature of fallen man, but is a component of God’s gift to us. Being dead in trespasses and sin, we were unable to see, here, or feel the Holy Spirit’s beckoning voice. But, then the dead ears of the soul heard the call of the Holy Spirit quickening the spirit of the elect . Just as the dead ears of Lazarus heard his name called by our Lord and was made alive, so may the same happen to us. Listen to that still small voice! Perchance you will be made alive in like manner in Christ.

DON’DON'T LOOK BACK,  a Devotion for 18 January 2025

 

32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.       Luke 17:32-33

 

            God has provided adequate warning to the sinner of the danger of recidivism into our old man who lusted and languished for things unworthy of the Christian professor.

            What does looking back on our lives of sin mean? It means to remember and relive the same old sinful ways that we found so attractive in past years. We long for the desires of the flesh, for money, for status, etc., which we had before coming to Christ. It results in a longing for those times and eventually returning thereto. We are given a vivid description of this relapse of devotion in 2 Peter 2:22 – “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

            One profound example of this looking back in longing of the old life is given in Genesis. In the 19^th chapter of the Book of Genesis is recorded an account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities lay in the Vale of Siddim just south of the Dead Sea and are now inundated by the sea. Zoar was a small city to the east of the Vale of Siddim and just before the mountains on the western boundary of the declivity of Moab whose ruins are still intact. Interestingly, the largest cemetery in the world of thousands of graves is located at Zoar. God warned Lot and his family to flee the city, and even gave them an angelic escort. But Lot’s wife could not countenance the loss of her fashionable robes, her jewelry, her ease of life, and her reprobate friends of old. These longings resulted in a severe judgment being levelled against Lot’s wife.

            What did Lot’s wife do to bring upon herself the wrath of God? She looked back on her old life of opulence and social standing in Sodom even among the wicked. She was in violation of Psalms 1:1 Blessed man walketh not counsel of ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Interestingly, the wife of Lot is given no name in Scripture. Why not, you may wonder? The sinner who dies in their sins need no name in the darkness of death to which they are destined.

            I know many Christin-professing men who have given evidence of their salvation both verbally and behaviorally; yet, in moments of abandon, will smile with relish in letting me know that they were ‘rounders’ in the former days to that salvation. That old life is nothing to relish, ands dwelling on the memories of that life can profit nothing.

            We should take note of the counsel given by Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 -  13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

            A good soldier on the long march does not focus on the path only a few feet ahead, but the distant trail to which he is marching. Likewise, the distant runner looks to the horizon as a goal and not concentrate on the very next step. There is a life lesson in that principle, and Paul lays it out best in the text thus cited above. Let us consider a few salient points regarding the wife of Lot:

 

Who was Lot’s wife? 

      We are not told of her family origin.

      We are not given her name.

      She is without history or lineage.

      She was wedded to the world.

            She had daughters other than the two virgins who perished in the destruction of Sodom. Yet, we are told to remember her – not in name, but in failure. She rejected the salvation offered by God in favor of her old life among the godless. Just like the rich man who showed no compassion on the beggar, Lazarus, God did not account her worthy of even sharing her name. Her name did not matter since it was not recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. She was not a good mother as evidenced by the action of her two daughters in sleeping with their father and bearing his sons.

            Her treasures were unfit for Heaven and were destined to perish along with her soul in the dark dominion of Hell.

            One other point: It was Lot who decided to pitch his tent “over against Sodom” and would finally end up dwelling in that wicked city and becoming a judge in the gate thereof. This decision was likely to influence his wife and daughters to resort to blatant sin: “Blessed in the man walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”  Psalms 1:1

            Since we have come to realize our calling and election in Christ, I pray that we no longer account our old lives as worthy of looking back upon in envy or pleasure. We are new creations in God in communion with his church and have no communion with that old worldly spirit that once ruled our souls and self-wills.

In Christ Alone during EPIPHANY,

 † Jerry Ogles

Presiding Bishop.  

 

 WE’VE A STORY TO TELL TO THE NATIONS, an Epiphany Hymn, 14 January 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile).    Romans 1:16

 

            Epiphany Season is not simply beautiful in description, but also in its profound meaning to all nations. The story of the poor shepherds on the hills over Bethlehem who were visited by a heavenly​ ​angel is a wonderful account of the Jewish poor​ ​folk being informed of the birth of Christ; but the story of the Gentile Magi coming to visit, worship and adore Him is just as pleasing because it opens the gates of Heaven to all nations, tongues and people who are drawn to Christ. This hymn is the composition of H. Ernest Nichol (1862-1926) in both lyrics and tune, in ​published in 1896.

WE’VE A STORY TO TELL TO THE NATIONS

 

1 We've a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.

Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

2 We've a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil,
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword. [Refrain]

3 We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
has sent us His Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love. [Refrain]

4 We've a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow has trod,
that all of the world's great peoples
may come to the truth of God,
may come to the truth of God! [Refrain]

 

            1 We've a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light. [Refrain] Certainly, we have such a marvelous story to tell to the nations of the world that cannot be kept secret in the heart of every believer.  It is a story of the Gospel that serves as salt and light to the whole world, but of special treasure to the elect of God​ who follow the Light from on High. “¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  Gospel of St. Matthew 28:19-20

            2 We've a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil, and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword. [Refrain] The influence of the Gospel, well received by the people of God, has a comforting influence on all nations – even among those populations that have not yet believed. Public cursing, excess drink, and immodest dress are even limited by the moral grace of believers among a society. Can a song conquer evil? How about the song of Moses at the Red Sea, and of Deborah​, the prophetess​, before battle? Those songs stayed the glittering arms of pow​erful armies. On the other hand, songs of immorality and irreverence can also disarm a people before the enemy.

            3 We've a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above has sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love, [Refrain] The same faith in the promise of a Redeemer to Abraham was made effectual to every man, woman and child of faith. The children of faith of Abraham are the true children of Abraham and not​reserved for any specific race and people. “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”  Galatians 3:7

            4 We've a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow has trod, that all of the world's great peoples may come to the truth of God, may come to the truth of God! [Refrain].  The message of the Gospel is hateful to the world. It is a message of love and not hate, of charity and not greed. Unfortunately, the whole world will never accept the Gospel​ until too late when Christ returns with great power and majesty. In fact, the portion of true believers may be the minority in the churches of our day. In my opinion, there are no atheists – only those who fear God unto salvation, and those who fear unto damnation.

Refrain:
            For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright, and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light. Truly, the​ ​nature of the Kingdom of Christ is light and love – of the world, darkness and hate. It is worth noting that Light heralded the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, and it was the bright morning of Resurrection that heralded His rising again. But His death was made manifest by a prevailing darkness that continued during the three hours prior to His giving up the ghost. But, praise God, Light was victorious over the darkness of hate at the moment of Resurrection morning.

Sermon Notes for 1^st Sunday after Epiphany, 12 January 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.       Gospel of St. Luke 2:41

 

The Collect 

O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Epistle 
Romans xii. 1. 

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 

The Gospel 
St. Luke ii. 41. 

NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 

            “ . . . after the custom of the feast.’ Jesus, as a child, went up to the feast as was the custom, or the duty of those who kept the faith. Across the Gospel, Epistle and Collect today we see, as a common point, the aspect of duty as a salient meaning across the three. In our reformed faith, the age of Christ (twelve years), is the age of accountability. Therefore, the Christian child is normally confirmed in the faith at that age. If we consider seriously the single reason for our undivided service to God, it could be summed up by duty based on faith.

            One of my childhood role models (and still), was general Robert E. Lee. He described duty in this way: “Duty then is the sublimest word in the English language. You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more. You should never do less.” This also applies to our duty and service to God. We can never do more than is expected of a Christian believer, and we should strive to never to less even if we fail and falter from time to time.

            In the Gospel of St Luke, we see the very picture of Godly duty at home. Due to the greater distance from Jerusalem, it was not mandatory that Joseph attend the Passover feast, and Mary, as a woman, was never required; however, they attended anyway which was above the normal expectation. One point, we can never perform above and beyond the call of duty. The mother of Jesus, and Joseph (his step-father), had seen to the proper raising of our Lord to this point in His age. A good home, loving family, Godly living – these all point to dutiful parents which Joseph and Mary were to Jesus. And His mother, and Joseph, were very proud to have Him introduced to the beauty of faith in Zion at the age of twelve.

            But His mother, Mary, and Joseph (as was presumed to be His father), were not as aware as the boy Jesus was of his role and duty to it. When the couple departed Jerusalem for Nazareth, they presumed the boy Jesus to be in the company; but, after a day’s travel, He was nowhere to be found. They frantically searched everywhere but He was not along. After returning to Jerusalem and making diligent search, they finally discovered Jesus in the Temple conversing with the religious doctors of the time. Can you imagine the fear and dismay of losing such a fine son? Sometimes we feel that we have lost our wallet or purse and search every corner of the house. Finally, we discover them just where we placed them in a secure place. They were never lost, and neither was Jesus. He was precisely at the right place – the Temple – His Father’s House, for no other place could be more proper for the Son of God.

            Jesus was not being discourteous, but frankly true to faith, when He responded to Mary’s question of complaint in His not following them when He correctly stated, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? This answer represents the first occasion in which Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God. The answer was confusing to Mary and Joseph. Joseph had treated Jesus as his own son, though he was not the real father. It is never the wrong path of service when we are about our Father’s business. 

            Nevertheless, we see Jesus, conscious of His duty also to His earthly parents, returning with them to Nazareth and was subject to them as a faithful son. But these things seemed a bit troubling to Mary, and she kept them in her heart. But in His dutiful regard for His parents, Jesus grew in stature, knowledge and grace.

            Now, in the Epistle to the Romans, Paul describes our duties to God in terms of full conformance with the Gospel text. What were these duties of our “reasonable service to God?” Frankly, it is with all our being. That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” There is no middle ground in that service – it is all to God or nothing else. We surrender our self-wills, that were in bondage to sin, by receiving the Mind of Christ. That is a soul-sacrifice. And we surrender our bodies as a living, holy, sacrifice to God which is only reasonable for one devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing less, and nothing more is possible It is our DUTY as believers!

            Paul uses the term ‘transformed by the renewing of our minds.’ That requires the abandonment of our old sinful minds to be renewed by the transforming will of God.  Paul concludes that we are all one body in Christ, and if one to God, we must be one to each other.

            My young friends, I encourage you to confirm your faith in Christ at your earliest opportunity just as our Lord confirmed Himself as the Son of God before the Jewish religious workers in the Temple. If you know Him as your Lord, then you must admit, as well, that you, too, are a son or daughter of God the Father.

            Now, the Prayer of Collect simply calls upon the blessings and grace of God to make known to us the terms of our duties to God and man, and for the grace and power to fulfill those duties through the workings of Christ in our members, bearing in mind that we can never go too far in that undertaking:

            “ So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”  Gospel of St. Luke 17:10

            Let us govern ourselves accordingly. 

W

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.