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ECHOES OF MERCY AND WHISPERS OF LOVE
One of the first songs I remember learning as a new Christian was not one that I had chosen to learn. It was one that I overheard again and again. My first roommate at Lubbock Christian College (now a university) was a song leader. He had grown up in the church and had led singing at his home congregation in southeast Texas on several occasions. He had been asked to lead singing at our next assembly and he gladly accepted. He also took the responsibility to lead the songs as written very seriously. For two days he practiced it over and over. At the time, it wasn't a song that would have made my list of first choices, but I have grown to appreciate it more and more the older I have become.
The song is called "Blessed Assurance." Probably many people who grew up attending church recognize the song. But, it was new to me, even though it has been around for quite awhile. The famous songwriter, Fanny J. Crosby, wrote it way back in 1873. It includes some timeless and wonderful thoughts about the assurances that faithful Christians have in Christ. One stanza includes the thought of God's blessings from above being "echoes of mercy" and "whispers of love." I think those two thoughts would be a great title for my "Preacher's Page" on Parkway's new website. God's love and mercy are something people need to be constantly reminded of. Assurance of salvation comes through the reassurances given in God's wonderful word, the Bible. Notice these Scriptures from a couple of the newer translations. Isaiah 42:12 says "Make God's glory resound; echo his praises from coast to coast." Psalm 8:9 says "God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world." Revelation 22:17 gives this invitation to all men: "'Come!' say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, 'Come!' Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life!" (All from The Message translation.) Job 26:14 says this about God, "But these are only hints of his power, only the whispers that we have heard. Who can know how truly great God is?" (The Good News Translation) My hope is that these articles will echo God's wonderful mercy and whisper His sweet love. Echoes of mercy and whispers of love! Isn't that what sharing Christ is all about?
Ronaldo Ricardo Guzmán
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