October 9, 2011

"So Thy Succor Shall Be"

After writing my last post (Post Anti-Depressant Independence---Update #1) I got a call from one of my big brothers.  He was concerned for my welfare and wanted to know how I was doing (where would I be without my family?  I am truly blessed).

He told me that while reading my post the hymn "How Firm A Foundation" had come on in the background and he had immediately thought of me.  He encouraged me to go and read the words to said hymn.

And so I did (...and have been blessed to have it running through my head these last few days....even bursting out in song every now and then (much to the detriment of my family, I am sure)).

I wanted to share it with you.  Maybe you are struggling like I am and need to hear it too.

The words are SO powerful and HOPEful. 

(then take 21,000 people and have them sing it....it's power resonates even stronger...)



I found the lyrics at Hymnwiki.org.  I don't know if I have actually ever sang all 7 verses at church before (only the first 3 were presented in the video) but was AMAZED at the situational similarities pertaining to me and the lifeline these words have become to me as of late (I've highlighted some of my favorite parts)

1. How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word;
What more can he say than to you he hath said?
You, who unto the Savior, for refuge have fled. 

2. In ev'ry condition - in sickness in health,
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth,
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. 

3. Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

4. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress

5. “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design,
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

6. “E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove
My sov'reign eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

7. “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes:
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never - no, never, no, never forsake!”   


How can one not read those words and feel comfort from them?

Yeah...life is HARD....and we are put through trial after trial after trial, some seeming too hard to bear, all in an attempt to refine us into "gold".  To become more like him....for that is our whole purpose here on earth.

And yet, the Lord Jesus Christ promises to be with us, to give us aid, to stregnthen us, to help us.  He doesn't ask us to do it alone.  He says he will uphold us...by his omnipotent hand.

As my brother so wisely said to me (don't quote me for exact-see's), No matter what we are struggling with, some days we need his succor more than others.  But no matter what...he will give us as much of it as we need.  There is no cap.

How truly blessed I feel to have a Savior who know ME personally and knows exactly what I am going through.  He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for ME, so that I would not be alone in this.  He bears it with me... succors me....because I need Him.  I can't do it without Him.

He's also suffered so that my husband and my children, who are exposed to my weakness during the process of refinement, will not be indefinitely damaged, but be able to find solace and comfort and succor in Him as well.

What a glorious blessing we have to rejoice in...the all encompassing atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I KNOW that if we plant a firm foundation of faith in Him, our suffering will not be for naught....but shall be as an aid in our eternal exaltation.
forMMM

P.S. I love to hear from you! Leave a comment or e-mail me at melaniesmethodicalmusings at gmail dot com Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory

2 comments:

Natalie J said...

Beautiful, Mel! I love that hymn! It is very hard to remember, while in the depths, that we are NOT alone. Love the reminders! Love you!

Andrea said...

I love that hymn too, I'm glad it was extra comforting to you this week. :)

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