Knowing Jesus

This week’s Thought for the Day is from Isabel Fairgrieve

I often find the words of hymns inspiring and thought provoking which is not altogether unexpected, given that hymns are written due to the inspiration of God.  One such hymn written by Fanny Crosby deeply touched me recently. The verse was quoted on a daily calendar:

“O the soul thrilling rapture when I view his blessed face,
And the lustre of his kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise him for the mercy love and grace,
​That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.”

Take a moment to ponder these beautiful words. It is many years since I have heard that hymn sung but the chorus immediately sprang into my mind.
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“I shall know him, I shall know him
And redeemed by his side I shall stand;
I shall know him, I shall know him
By the print of the nails in his hand.”

Amidst the crowds of the redeemed in our heavenly home, one will stand out from the throng – our lovely Saviour.  But should there be any doubt, only one will have the nail prints in his hands. What a wonderful God we have.

“Great God of wonders, all thy ways are matchless and divine... Who is a pardoning God like thee? Or who has grace so rich and free?” (Samuel Davies)

What a loving God we have.
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“Such love, pure as the whitest snow;
Such love, weeps for the shame I know;
Such love paying the debt I owe;
O Jesus, such love.”  (Graham Kendrick)

Our Saviour is uniquely faithful and compassionate and he wants us to know him here, in this life as well as in the next. May we develop an ever closer relationship with Jesus, day by day enjoying his friendship, guidance, comfort and strengthening, through the present difficult times and in the future.  May we thrill in his presence and praise him for all he has accomplished at Calvary.
 
A Saviour worth knowing.
 
Isabel Fairgrieve