Snow Storm

So the ice storm in South Carolina knocked out the power of my house for a couple of days. I know I'm way behind. So this week, I'm doing two hymns each day, Monday through Friday. That's the goal anyway.

1) Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and by Thy love's revealing
Dissipate the clouds beneath.

2)The new heaven and earth's Creator,
In our deepest darkness rise,
Scattering all the night of nature,
Pouring eyesight on our eyes.

3) Still we wait for Thine appearing;
Life and joy Thy beams impart,
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every poor benighted heart.

4) Come, and manifest the favor 
God hath for our ransomed race;
Come, Thou universal Savior,
Come, and bring the Gospel grace.

5) Save us in Thy great compassion,
O Thou mild, pacific Prince;
Give the knowledge of savlation,
Give the pardon of our sins.

6) By thine all-redeeming merit
Every burdened soul release;
Every weary, wandering spirit
Guide into Thy perfect peace.

You can listen to the hymn here. This was written by Charles Wesley. I've never heard the hymn before, but I chose it because of the opening line, "Light of those whose dreary dwelling." I thought it might be appropriate since my family and I were without power for a couple of days. It's a funny thing though, we were never dreary. We have gas logs, so hot tea and instant coffee was covered. Our local church did an amazing job opening its doors to those without power. I stayed with friends one night. Those same friends also let us use their place to cook food and shower. We even had a neighbor open up his home so people on the street can get coffee and hot chocolate. In the mean time we played games, especially Ticket to Ride (great game.) If anything, the Lord used the power outage to reiterate how much we are surrounded by loving people.

There are dark days. Days in which the world seems to be collapsing. The Lord uses our brokenness to show His perfect light. He opens our hearts and minds to His love and draws us out of the darkness into His wonderful light. I think this hymn captures the relief that comes with grace. The burden is lifted, the night is gone, we finally receive sight to see.