The Great Hymns of Faith
by Pastor Jeff Blain

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple.  Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.  And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”  Isaiah 6:1-3

I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear these words from Isaiah, I think of that great hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”  And then I do more than just think of it, I start to sing and hum it in my mind.  But then I do more than that, I start to actually hum or sing it.  And then it’s not long after that and I begin to go to other “old favorites” that have collected in my heart and soul over the years.

In fact, this happens to me a lot – both with the great hymns of faith as well as with the more contemporary Christian songs.  There are so many words of Scripture that have been put to song, that hardly a week goes by that at least once something will trigger a hymn or song for me and then off I go into yet another musical feast.  There’s just something about music that it seems to have a key to my heart.  (Does it work that way for you too?) 

On occasion, I will hear or read someone saying the “old” hymns just don’t work anymore.  And I don’t think that’s the case at all!  Oh to be sure, I know that as I drift into my middle forties that I am well beyond the stage of claiming to be “young” and “with it.”  And I know that therefore my interpretation and opinion of “the times” is biased by my age.  Nevertheless, those great hymns of the faith will always be that – GREAT! 

They are the songs from the past that have stood the test of time.  They are the ones whose words and tunes have found their way into countless hearts over the generations.  And witness to the fact the in “contemporary” Christian music, many of these songs are enjoying a kind of “rebirth.”  (Artists like Fernando Ortega and Michael W. Smith come to mind!)

To be sure, the musical style may be different.  The tempo might be varied.  The instruments doing the playing haven’t long been associated with “church.”  But nevertheless, the songs are being sung.  The words are being memorized.  The lessons and truths they teach are being learned, digested, and absorbed. 

And I believe, that in the midst of it all, the Lord God is smiling.  After all, no matter how much I might like the great hymns of faith – as well as the new songs of today! – God likes them even better!  And that is finally what really matters. 

Lord God, thanks for music!  You’ve got a great invention there!  Thanks for letting me be a part of that “chorus of faith” that has sung to You down through the ages.  May worship and music always be at the center of what we do at Ascension.  And continue to give us the privilege and honor of teaching the hymns and songs to our children, our grandchildren, as well as whole new generations of believers.  In Jesus’ precious name, AMEN.