Inspirational Readings:57 Songs: Devotional Of Beloved Hymns ♫ Amazing Grace ♫

It is believed that more human souls are reached with a deeply heartfelt song sung by one who has lived what the song expresses than with the greatest of revival sermons. Such is the incredible power of music, that it has the ability to easily bypass the mental processes of the brain and proceed directly to the heart; pushing aside doubts, fears, denials,rationale and stubbornness. Music disengages the intellect, enabling one to hone in on and recognize truth within the lyrics of a song as well as the unspoken underlying truths there too. It’s no wonder that music continues to be an integral part of worship in every cultural setting. God created music and by His design music turns on the light within us and illuminates the places in the soul; the deep themes of life that sermons and lectures struggle to reach.

Having it's beginning as a simple poem, Amazing Grace has emerged as more than a hymn or song we sing in church. It’s one of the most popular hymns in the world;sung regularly in churches and secular events around the world, preferred at funerals above all other songs. It's the song celebrities love to sing and include in their repertoires or portfolios. So popular and renowned is the hymn for it’s effect on the human heart, it has reached well beyond the church into the various sectors of society, including soap operas and the Broadway stage, reportedly being performed close to ten million times a year.

The theme of the hymn Amazing Grace goes so deep and completely reaches into the soul with lyrics that ring true, identifying with the masses, it’s no wonder that it has found a home in every heart that hears it. The lyrics written by John Newton, tell the truth of his own, stubborn, decrepit life and his eventual about face in his involvement with the slave trade to repentance, conversion and a renewed life.

Amazing Grace was the natural result of Newton's renewed life. The hymn, though it gives hope to many, was strained through Newton's years of confusion about his own beliefs and and unwillingness to give up a profitable livelihood of the slave trade. In time Newton gave his life over to God soon after surviving a maritime catastrophe. However he didn't fully surrender his life to the point of giving up the slave trade until his health grounded him.

The Truth Of The Matter

If we're honest with ourselves, Newton's life so perfectly mirrors our own. Oh, the details may be widely different, but the heart of the matter for every human being is exactly the same. We each struggle and wrestle trying to make our own way in this world, oftentimes running in direct opposition to God, yet refusing to give in to His ways and His plans for our lives until we run out of energy, steam and resources because we are suddenly stopped in our tracks too - by God; by His Amazing Grace.

• Roberta Flack sang the song Amazing Grace at a funeral in a soap opera episode of "Loving".
• Donna sang Amazing Grace, a cappella, at a funeral on the soap opera episode of "Another World."

Words by John Newton 1725-1807

Music by William Walker 1809-1875

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Thru many dangers toils and snares I have already come;
Tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.

4. When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than we’d first begun.

*The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

*This original but often omitted verse to John Newton's, Amazing Grace has been revived within the last several years by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio, with the production of their modernized, updated version, 'Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).'

Have a blessed and peaceful week!

© Barb Johnson