E-Hymn: "Arise, My Soul, Arise"

Brothers and Sisters,

I love old hymns. One of my favorites was written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), brother of the famous Methodist evangelist John Wesley, over 250 years ago in 1742. It is "Arise, My Soul, Arise." The words of this hymn powerfully convey the truth of Romans 8:34 which states: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Ira Sankey records in his book, My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns, records the following account of the amazing power of the gospel as articulated in this song:

"I have a record," said a Wesleyan missionary laboring in the West Indies, "of two hundred persons, young and old, who received the most direct evidence of the forgiveness of their sins while singing 'Arise, my soul.' The conversion of the greater number of these persons took place while I was a missionary abroad."

Why not allow the words of this gospel-saturated hymn to help you to "shake off thy guilty fears" as you contemplate "the bleeding sacrifice" that appears on your behalf!

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Wow! Doesn't that steel your soul to keep fighting the fight of faith?!?! It certainly does mine! So rest in the gospel of "Christ and Him Crucified" and rejoice that He lives forever to intercede for us. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

To God Alone Be The Glory,

Steve Weaver, pastor
West Broadway Baptist Church
Lenoir City, TN