Tens of thousands of hymns were written by believers of all walks of life during
the 18th, 19th and 20 centuries. Today’s hymn is from the 19th century. It was
written by Charles W. Fry; a bricklayer, successful building contractor,
accomplished musician and dedicated Christian. He was a Methodist layman and
helped in the Christian Mission in Salisbury. He also was the inspiration for the
Salvation Army bands. When the Salvation Army began many folks were opposed
to their gospel preaching and often harassed the preachers. Charles Fry took it
upon himself to establish a bodyguard of sorts for the preachers. He arrived
with his three sons and their weapons: two cornets, a trombone, and a small tuba,
which they played in between fighting off the trouble-makers. The music
attracted a crowd for the preachers. Over time others joined in this musical
approach to preaching and when William Booth saw how effective the band music
was he encouraged the formation of other Salvation Army bands.
Let me ask you: How dedicated to Jesus are you? How committed to the cause
of Christ are you? How much will you give to see others come to Christ. Let me
challenge you to take to heart the words of this song: The Lily of the Valley.
They are pointed, powerful and need to be practiced by all Christians.
The Lily of the Valley
by Charles W. Fry
- I have found a friend in Jesus-
He’s ev’rything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley- in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me ev’ry care on Him to roll;
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the greatest of ten thousand to my soul. - He all my grief has taken and all my sorrows borne,
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal;
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the greatest of ten thousand to my soul. - He will never, never leave me nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear-
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory I’ll see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll;
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the greatest of ten thousand to my soul.
One line that grabbed my attention was –
I have all for Him forsaken and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
One line that grabbed my attention was –
I have all for Him forsaken and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
May God have all of you today and everyday.
In Christ,
Pastor Rob
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