Let us love and sing and wonder

Old hymns have a way of getting into the deep parts of my spirit. The lyrics are rich in truth, often based in scripture and sometimes have a surprising turn of phrase that makes me think. The actual tune doesn’t matter much to me, and I search for updated melodies and arrangements so that I am jolted from the stupor that comes from being too familiar with a song.

This popped up while I was listening this week, and the phrase “He has hushed the law’s loud thunder, He has quenched Mt. Sinai’s flame” caught me. It made me open my ears to the rest of the words, then go seeking more information and the lyrics of this hymn. I don’t remember singing it in church. I found that it was written by John Newton. He also wrote “Amazing Grace,” among other hymns. I have visited the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Olney where he served as curate and was buried. There I sang “Amazing Grace” with 150 other youth on a choir tour back in the day.

I’ve been reading in Exodus, and the picture of God descending on Mt. Sinai with thunderings, lightnings, a thick cloud and loud trumpet blast has filled my mind. Moses was told to consecrate the people, and they were advised to be ready for the third day. God used Moses as an intermediary, giving the Israelites His messages, commandments and promises. They were told that they would be God’s special treasure, His kingdom of priests, His holy people IF they would obey Him and keep His covenant. This keeps rolling around and around in my brain. The old covenant has been fulfilled and replaced with the new. This position as God’s chosen has been claimed and ratified by Jesus. The faith I was given to trust in Him means I am this person, too, because Jesus has “hushed the law’s loud thunder and quenched Mt. Sinai’s flame.” Praise and glory and honor to my Father!

I hope as you listen that these words will minister truth and healing in your soul.