Milo

June 8

DEPTH OF MERCY
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788
You are kind and forgiving, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on You. (Psalm 86:5)
Although Charles Wesley had been trained for the Anglican church ministry and had been active in religious activities, there came a time when he realized that he had never personally experienced God’s love and mercy. His crisis experience occurred on May 20, 1738, as he met with a small group of Moravian believers in the Aldersgate Hall in London, England. That evening he wrote in his journal:
At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and confessed, with joy and surprise, that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think.
Following his “heart-warming” experience at Aldersgate, Charles with his brother John developed an intense desire to bring others to a personal conversion experience and to teach the great truths of the Scripture. To aid in these endeavors, Charles Wesley wrote more than 6,500 hymn texts on every aspect of the Christian life, fitting them to any popular tune that suited the meter and message of the lines.
The Wesleys spread their message of God’s mercy and His power to transform lives to all social classes. They spent much time ministering to the cruelly treated prisoners of Newgate Prison in London and visited the dreadful Bedlam, a dungeon for the insane.
“Depth of Mercy” first appeared in the Wesley hymnal, Hymns and Sacred Poems, in 1741. It has 13 stanzas and was titled “After a Relapse Into Sin.” These words suggest the personal experience of Charles before and after his “heart-warming” spiritual experience at Aldersgate.
Depth of mercy! can there be mercy still reserved for me? Can my God His wrath forbear—me, the chief of sinners spare?
I have long withstood His grace, long provoked Him to His face, would not harken to His calls, grieved Him by a thousand falls.
Now incline me to repent; let me now my sins lament; now my foul revolt deplore, weep, believe, and sin no more.
There for me my Savior stands, holding forth His wounded hands; God is love! I know, I feel, Jesus weeps and loves me still.

    For Today: Psalm 136:1; Isaiah 55:6, 7; Micah 7:18–20; Romans 2:4

The Hebrew word for “mercy” literally means “to get inside another’s skin,” to be completely identified with that person. This is what Christ has done for us. Now He asks that we demonstrate this same quality to others.

June 7

WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS
Words and Music by Haldor Lillenas, 1885–1959
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
The wonderful grace of Jesus will be the theme that will echo throughout the corridors of heaven during all eternity. It should also be the joyful exclamation of every Christian now whenever he thinks of Calvary and the deep love of our Savior.
“Wonderful Grace of Jesus” is one of the most inspiring hymns in our hymnals, and it has been used extensively by both choirs and congregations since it was written and composed by Haldor Lillenas in 1918. Born in Norway, Mr. Lillenas came to the United States as a child. He married Bertha Mae Wilson, a songwriter also, and together they traveled extensively, furnishing songs and choirs for many of the leading song leaders in the country, including the noted Charles Alexander. Mr. Alexander found this hymn, among the approximately 4,000 that Lillenas wrote, to be particularly useful as a mass choir selection in the great crusades in the early years of this century. And the song has remained popular ever since. The reminder of Christ’s “all sufficient grace” that is truly “deeper than the mighty rolling sea” and “higher than the mountain” still moves us to stand in awe each time we sing it in a church service.
Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin; how shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free, for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost, by it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost; chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty, for the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled, by its transforming power making him God’s dear child, purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity—and the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Chorus: Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, deeper than the mighty rolling sea; higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, all sufficient grace for even me; broader than the scope of my transgressions, greater far than all my sin and shame; O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise His name!

    For Today: Acts 15:11; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 5:10

Contemplate again the “scope of your transgressions” and the forgiveness and love of Christ as He stretches out His hand to you. Praise His precious name as you go singing—

June 6

SAVED BY GRACE
Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915
And I—in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. (Psalm 17:15)
I am living for the moment when my Savior’s face I see—
Oh, the thrill of that first meeting, when His glory shines on me!
When His voice like sweetest music falls upon my waiting ear,
And my name, amid the millions, from His precious lips I hear.
—Avis B. Christiansen
The anticipation of seeing her Savior’s face and praising Him for redeeming grace was a thrilling thought for blind Fanny Crosby to ponder, for the face of Christ as He opened the gate to heaven would be the first sight her eyes would ever behold. Written in 1891 when she was 71 years of age, “Some Day,” as Fanny titled the text, was prompted by the final words of a dying pastor friend: “If each of us is faithful to the grace, which is given us by Christ, that same grace which teaches us how to live will also teach us how to die.” Deeply moved by this thought, Fanny completed the lines in a matter of minutes under a sense of “divine inspiration.” Of all her many hymn texts, this one always seemed to be her favorite. She called it her “heart-song.” “Saved by Grace” was one of the favorite hymns of both D. L. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey. In their later campaigns, they used it at nearly every service.
As Ira Sankey lay dying, it is reported that he drifted into a final coma as he softly sang:
Some day the silver chord will break, and I no more as now shall sing; but O the joy when I shall wake within the palace of the King!
Some day my earthly house will fall—I cannot tell how soon ’twill be; but this I know—my All in All has now a place in heav’n for me.
Some day, when fades the golden sun beneath the rosy-tinted west, my blessed Lord will say, “Well done!” and I shall enter into rest.
Some day—till then I’ll watch and wait, my lamp all trimmed and burning bright, that when my Savior opens the gate, my soul to Him may take its flight.
Chorus: And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story—Saved by grace; and I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story—Saved by grace.

    For Today: Acts 15:11; Ephesians 1:6, 7; 2:8; 1 Peter 1:3, 4

Take time to anticipate the moment when you, like Fanny Crosby, will see the face of Christ. Praise Him even now because you have been saved by His redeeming grace. Allow this musical truth to encourage your way and perhaps even share it with another.

June 5

GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN
Julia H. Johnston, 1849–1919
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20, 21)
God’s grace is not merely a sufficient grace; it is an abounding grace—“that you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). His grace provides our eternal salvation as well as the enablement to know life more abundantly. It is available for our every problem and need.
Sometimes the argument is advanced that since God’s grace covers all our sins, then we are free to live as we please. God’s grace does provide for our freedom, but it is meant to free us from a slavery to our selfish, sinful nature in order that we might pursue “every good work”—to become all that God intends us to be.
Julia Johnston was for many years involved in the work of Sunday schools at the First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Illinois, and as a writer of lesson materials for primary age children for the David C. Cook Publishing Company. She also wrote approximately 500 hymn texts. The composer of this hymn, Daniel B. Towner, was for many years the director of the music department at Moody Bible Institute. “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” first appeared in Towner’s compilation, Hymns Tried and True, 1911.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured—there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Sin and despair, like the seawaves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater—yes, grace untold—points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; what can avail to wash it away? Look! there is flowing a crimson tide—whiter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see His face, will you this moment His grace receive?
Chorus: Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!

    For Today: Romans 3:24–26; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 1:6–8; Titus 2:11

What does the term “grace” mean to your life? Try to define it in your own words. Discuss your insights with another. Carry this musical truth as you go—

June 4

GRACE! ’TIS A CHARMING SOUND
Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751 (verses 1, 3)
Augustus Toplady, 1740–1778 (verses 2, 4, 5)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
“Jesus died for all mankind”—every race and nation—and yet, He “died for me.” And now the benefits of that death, a personal salvation and restored fellowship with Almighty God, are available to all who respond in faith and appropriate that truth. With the author of this hymn we cry out with heartfelt gratitude, “Saved by grace alone! This is all my plea.”
Grace is the gift of God freely given to those who never deserved it. No merit or goodness precedes the forgiving love of God. Not only does God’s grace relate to our eternal redemption, but it is a divine provision for our every daily need—spiritual, material, emotional, and physical.
“Grace! ’Tis a Charming Sound” is the work of two well-known 18th century English ministers, Philip Doddridge and Augustus Toplady. Doddridge was known as a man of great ability and learning, authoring almost 400 hymns. Toplady was known for his strong Calvinistic convictions. Although he was converted as a young man through the influence of John Wesley and his Methodist followers, Augustus Toplady in later life became an ardent critic of the Wesleys and their Arminian or “free will” theology. Yet today Toplady is best remembered for his hymns such as this and “Rock of Ages,” which transcend such theological barriers.
Grace! tis a charming sound, harmonious to the ear; Heav’n with the echo shall resound and all the earth shall hear.
’Twas grace that wrote my name in life’s eternal book; ’twas grace that gave me to the Lamb, who all my sorrows took.
Grace taught my wand’ring feet to tread the heav’nly road; and new supplies each hour I meet, while pressing on to God.
Grace taught my soul to pray, and made mine eyes o’er-flow; ’twas grace which kept me to this day, and will not let me go.
O let Thy grace inspire my soul with strength divine; may all my pow’rs to Thee aspire, and all my days be Thine.
Chorus: Saved by grace alone! This is all my plea; Jesus died for all mankind, and Jesus died for me.

    For Today: Acts 15:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 5:10

Go forth joyfully with this musical testimony—