Songs can send powerful messages."The Star-Spangled Banner" is the
national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from
"Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old
lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of
Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle
of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.Key
was inspired by the American victory and the sight of the large American flag
flying triumphantly above the fort.
Hymns can have much the same
effect.We are moved by the thoughts put
forth as we sing praises unto Jehovah God announcing our awe, love and
reverence for Him.While we find
ourselves in a world that continually tries to shut God out of our everyday existence,
we reflect on the fact that mankind’s thoughts regarding God do NOT change the
fact that He is, always has been and forever will be.
The hymn “This is My Father’s World”
reminds us that we are temporary sojourners on an earth that cries out with
proof of His existence all around us; we need only open our eyes.
Please reflect on these words:
This is my
Father’s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings,
and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my
Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and
trees, of skies and seas; His hand the
wonders wrought.
This is my
Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light,
the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my
Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling
grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me
everywhere.
This is my
Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget That though the
wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my
Father’s world: the battle is not done: Jesus Who died
shall be satisfied, And earth and
Heav’n be one.
This is my
Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face. I ope my eyes, and
in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.” This is my
Father’s world, from the shining courts above, The Beloved One,
His Only Son, Came—a pledge of
deathless love.
This is my
Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad? The lord is King—let
the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad. This is my
Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound, For dear to God is
the earth Christ trod. No place but is
holy ground.
This is my
Father’s world. I walk a desert lone. In a bush ablaze
to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known. This is my
Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam Whate’er my lot,
it matters not, My heart is still
at home.