Bite of Bread: February 3-9 (Stand Firm)

Her fingers made the piano sing. With each stroke of the keys the melody floated into the air, and the notes from each ivory gave confidence to less than perfect voices. I’m convinced that the small Methodist church would’ve closed if it hadn’t been for my mother’s piano playing faithfulness. Every. Sunday. Morning.

I’m not a fan of the older style of worship these days. We sing our “hymns” to the beat of a drum and the voice of an electric guitar. The tune better suits our modern ears. And in the dark of the auditorium I lose myself in the loud praise. My hands raise high, and my feet often dance to the rhythm.

No stained glass windows filter sunshine. Pews were exchanged for comfy chairs that can be rearranged according to the size of the crowd. And nobody has a “name” on their specific seat. Ushers make sure of that as they try to seat streaming crowds as orderly as possible.

Though the church I attend today doesn’t look like the one I knew as a child, and though I don’t think I would go back to that “old-style” religion, there is a warm memory in my heart for those days. That is where I learned about the love of God. And the hymns we sang go deep into my soul. The tune of one came to my mind as I prepared the Bite of Bread Reading Plan today. Maybe you know it too.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

Written by Kelso Carter.1849-1926.

Each scripture this week is one of encouragement to “stand firm.” Next week we’ll read some of the Promises.

God is good. He is faithful. And He is worthy of our worship. Piano. Drums. Stained glass. A dark room.

There is power in just standing in song to Him.

Do you have favorite childhood memories of church or a favorite hymn?

With Joy,

andy

Light a candle, grab your journal, pour a cup of coffee….I’m reading with you.

Correction! Wednesday is 1 Corinthians 16:13

Photo credit Wikimedia.