Milo

January 7

TEACH ME TO PRAY

Words and Music by Albert S. Reitz, 1879–1966

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

One of the most important emphases during this season of Epiphany is that of prayer, both for our own daily guidance and as the undergirding power needed for the spiritual journey of our local church. What is prayer? To many, prayer is regarded as a foolish repetition of words, a refuge for weaklings, or a childish petition for material needs.

How sadly this reservoir of spiritual power is undervalued when perceived in these terms, just as we would underestimate electricity if we talked of it only in terms of a 40-watt bulb. For the child of God, prayer is far more than the mere gratification of our human whims. It is the practice of the presence of Almighty God in every activity of our daily lives.

Prayer is so simple. It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into the very presence of God. —Unknown

Rev. Albert S. Reitz left this account: When I was pastor of the Rosehill Baptist Church, we had a heart-warming Day of Prayer under the leadership of the Evangelical Prayer Union of Los Angeles. The next morning in my study the Lord gave the words and the music then followed.

As you read these words, may they challenge you to recognize the importance of an earnest prayer life.

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray; this is my heart cry day unto day; I long to know Thy will and Thy way; teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray. Power in prayer, Lord, power in prayer, here ’mid earth’s sin and sorrow and care; men lost and dying, souls in despair—O give me power, power in prayer! My weakened will, Lord, Thou canst renew; my sinful nature Thou canst subdue; fill me just now with power anew, power to pray and power to do! Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray; Thou art my Pattern day unto day; Thou art my surety now and for aye; teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray.

Chorus:

Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me; constant abiding, this is my plea; grant me Thy power boundless and free: Power with men and power with Thee.  

    For Today:

Matthew 5:44; 21:22; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:1.

Practice God’s presence even amidst the noise and clamor of your busy day. Don’t forget to pray for the ongoing ministry of your church. Carry this tuneful message to help—

January 6

AS WITH GLADNESS MEN OF OLD

William C. Dix, 1837–1898

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi (Wise Men) from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1, 2)

The period in the church year that begins with January 6 and extends to Ash Wednesday is known as Epiphany. Epiphany marks the time that the Christ Child was revealed to the wise men in His first manifestation to the Gentiles as the Light of the whole world. It is generally believed by Bible scholars that these wise men from the East arrived approximately 2 years after the birth of Christ.

The earnestness of their search, their worship and gifts, and their desire to return home to share their spiritual experience with others have much to teach us. In many churches, Epiphany is ushered in with a special week of prayer, a renewed commitment to evangelism, and a worldwide concern for missions. Epiphany should be a strong reminder to all Christians that God wants not only our worship but also our willingness to share His message with others both at home and abroad.

The gospel of good news must be heard beyond the walls of our church buildings. May we be challenged to share God’s love both by word and deed with those He brings into our lives each day.

As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold—as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright—so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee. As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed, there to bend the knee before Him whom heav’n and earth adore.

So may we with willing feet ever seek Thy mercy seat. As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.

Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way; and, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where they need no star to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hide.  

    For Today:

Ezekiel 3:18; Matthew 2:1–12; John 4:35; Ephesians 1:3–8; James 5:19, 20.

Reflect once again on the importance of the wise men—their difficult journey to Bethlehem, their worship and gifts, and the return to their homelands to share what they had learned. Then begin this Epiphany season with the prayer—

January 5

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

1787 “K”—in Rippon’s Selection of Hymns,So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).

A believer’s stability for this life, as well as his confidence for eternity, rests solely on the written promises of God’s Word. The direction of the living God for our lives is very definite. It is found in a firm foundation—the written revelation: “Thus saith the Lord.” In the first stanza the sure foundation of the Christian faith is established as being the Word of God. This challenging question is posed: What more can God do than provide His very Word as a completed revelation of Himself to man? The succeeding verses personalize precious promises from His Word:

Verse Two—Isaiah 41:10—“Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God … ” Verse Three—Isaiah 43:2—“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee … ” Verse Four—2 Corinthians 12:9—“My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness … ” Verse Five—Hebrews 13:5—“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee … ” The authorship of the text has always been a mystery to hymnologists.

Its first appearance was in 1787 in Selection of Hymns, published by Dr. John Rippon, pastor of the Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London. He was one of the most popular and influential dissenting ministers of his time.

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—To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled? “Fear not, I am with thee—O be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When thru the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; for I will be with thee thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. “When thru 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.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, tho all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never—no, never—no, never forsake.”   

   For Today:

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Psalm 36:1; Psalm 118:6, 7; Hebrews 13:5, 6

Plant your feet firmly on the “thus saith the Lords” and live life confidently in that strength. Carry this musical message with you—

January 4

GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH

William Williams, 1717–1791

Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me. (Psalm 31:3)

The need for daily guidance is one of the believer’s greatest concerns. How easily our lives can go astray without the assurance of divine leadership. Today’s featured text is one of the great hymns of the church on this subject.

It is a product of the revival movement that swept through Wales during the 18th century. This revival was led by a 24-year-old Welsh preacher, Howell Harris, who stirred the land with his fervent evangelistic preaching and his use of congregational singing.

One of the lives touched by Harris’ ministry was 20-year-old William Williams. Young Williams, the son of a wealthy Welsh farmer, was preparing to become a medical doctor. But, upon hearing the stirring challenge by evangelist Howell Harris, Williams dedicated his life to God and the Christian ministry. William Williams, like Harris, decided to take all of Wales as his parish and for the next 43 years traveled 100,000 miles on horseback, preaching and singing the gospel in his native tongue. He became known as the “sweet singer of Wales.”

The symbolic imagery of this hymn is drawn wholly from the Bible. The general setting is the march of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. Although the Israelites’ sin and unbelief kept them from their destination for 40 years, God provided for their physical needs with a new supply of manna each day. Twice during the Hebrews’ years of wandering, they became faint because of lack of water. At the command of God, Moses struck a large rock with his wooden staff. Out of it flowed-a pure, crystalline stream that preserved their lives. God also continued to guide them with a pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, pilgrim thru this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty—Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand: Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through; Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, be Thou still my strength and shield. When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside; Bear me thru the swelling current; land me safe on Canaan’s side: Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee.  

    For Today:

Psalm 16:11; Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 58:11; Romans 8:14

Claim God’s promises for your life in even the small decisions you will be called upon to make this day. Then, begin to praise Him—

January 3

O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

Isaac Watts, 1674–1748

Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. (Psalm 90:1, 2)

It has been wisely said that no thinking person ever regarded the beginning of a new year with indifference. Each of us faces many concerns and questions as we stand on the threshold of the unknown future. The mystery of time is the subject of this hymn text, a paraphrase of Psalm 90. The hymn is considered by many to be one of the finest ever written and perhaps the best known of the 600 hymns by Isaac Watts, often called the “father of English hymnody.”

At an early age Isaac displayed unusual talent in writing poetic verse. As a young man he became increasingly concerned with the congregational singing in the English speaking churches. Only ponderous metrical psalms were used until this time. To use any words other than the actual words of Scripture would have been considered an insult to God. Challenged by his father to “write something better for us to sing,” young Watts began to create new versions of the psalms with inspiring and expressive style. Eventually, at the early age of 25, he published an important hymnal titled The Psalms of David in the Language of the New Testament.

In addition to “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” several of Watts’ other paraphrases based on psalm settings are hymn texts still widely sung today. They include such favorites as “Joy to the World,” Psalm 98; and “Jesus Shall Reign,” Psalm 72. After more than 250 years, Isaac Watts’ hymn is still a timely reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout the past and His sure promises for our future.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home. Under the shadow of Thy throne still may we dwell secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood or earth received her frame, from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same. Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all its sons away; they fly, forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

     For Today:

Psalm 33:20; 48:14; 90; Isaiah 26:4

Live confidently in the assurance that the One who has directed your steps to this moment of time is worthy of your complete trust for the days ahead.