FOUNTAIN

A monthly feature on a hymn of the faith. Many years ago, co-workers who invited me home to dinner asked me to play something on their piano. Church-goers, they had a hymnal on the piano’s music ledge, so I opened it to “The Old Rugged Cross.” Within a few notes, the wife said, “Oh, please don’t do that one, it’s so bloody.” Her reaction surprised me. It also made me reflect on how our faith does rest on a blood-stained cross and how Jesus Christ died in a terrible way for MY (not HIS) sins.  There’s another “bloody” hymn, nearly 300 years old, often sung as we anticipate Easter: “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.” Its lyrics were composed by William Cowper (pronounced “Kooper”), best remembered as one of England’s greatest poets. Son of an English clergyman and a mother with royalty in her bloodline, he was a frail and emotionally sensitive child. His mother’s death when he was only six further deepened his emotional issues. When he fell in love as a young adult, his father would not permit him to marry the woman. Cowper’s father had urged him to study law, but the young man’s fears as he anticipated his final bar exam before the House of Lords led to a mental breakdown and attempted suicide.                              

  During his recovery in a mental asylum for a year and a half, one day he read from Romans 3:23-25 of how the blood of Christ was God’s plan for forgiveness of sins. Eventually, through reading the Bible, he came into a personal relationship with Jesus. He was 33 years old.

After Cowper’s release, Rev. Morley Unwin and his family took him into their home. The wife, especially, became like a second mother to him. When Rev. Unwin died, his widow and family—including Cowper—were invited by John Newton (slave-trader-turned-Christian minister) to move to his parish in Olney, England. There, Newton often took Cowper on long walks, which proved therapeutic for Cowper’s mental struggles.

Their close friendship resulted in publication of the “Olney Hymns,” a groundbreaking collection of 349 hymns, including 66 by Cowper and the rest by Newton, including Newton’s own “Amazing Grace.” One of Cowper’s hymns was “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood,” written about 1770, and based on the imagery in Zechariah 13:1. That verse anticipated Christ’s full atonement for forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross: “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness.” We sing the hymn today to music of an American folk tune. Other Cowper hymns found in recent hymnals include: “Oh, for a Closer Walk with God,” and “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.”

Cowper’s “informal adoption” by Mrs. Unwin and then the Newtons sustained him as he continued to battle depression. Though at times he worried that God would turn His back on him, Cowper came to his death at 69 with eternal assurance. Shortly before his last breath, he is reported to have said, “I am not shut out of heaven after all.” He had taken to heart his own lyrics, “And sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.”

===========

Bill Gaither musicians sing from their hearts—solo by Vestal Goodman (includes lyrics):

Vestal Goodman - There Is a Fountain [Live] - Bing video

THOSE THORNY QUESTIONS

Buds are emerging on our rose stems, but oh, the thorns!

Why is life at times so thorny? I’ve asked myself that many times in the past few years—and not just during my spring rose-pruning duties. Thorny problems and relationships are part of our sin-filled world. We usually complain about them. But I was recently reminded of the better perspective expressed by Dr. George Matheson (1842-1906), a renowned Scottish preacher who endured life blind:

My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn.  I have thanked thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn.  I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensated for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory.  Teach me the value of my thorn.

Of course, any reference to a “spiritual thorn” leads inevitably to Paul’s use of that term. At some time (perhaps when nearly stoned to death?) he had a vision of Heaven, too wonderful to express in earthly terms.

But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need.  My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NLT)

What was the thorn?  Nobody knows.  Some ideas: malaria, epilepsy, an eye disease (inferred from Galatians 4:13-15). Whatever, it was chronic and debilitating, interfering with his ministry. Its presence kept Paul humble and dependent on God to just get through the day.  Somehow, seeing Paul’s strength in weakness inspired those around him who had their own version of a disabling “thorn.”

And these lessons still apply. We’re tempted to rely on our own cleverness or abilities to get by in life. But when we’re faced with our true selves, we have a choice: curl up and complain, or trust God for His will in His time.

I sense that lesson in Dr. Matheson. When he aspired to become a pastor—just as his sight was going—naysayers probably suggested it wouldn’t work out. But God provided a way through his devoted sister, who herself learned Greek, Latin and Hebrew to help him in his theological studies. Throughout his life she helped with his pastoral and calling duties.

Most hymnals still include “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” whose lyrics came to him with such fluency and speed one night that he attributed it to “a dayspring from on high”—the Lord’s inspiration.  The key words of its four verses are “love,” “light,” “joy,” “cross.” All remind me of the Lord Jesus, the One who showed us God’s love.  Who called Himself the “Light of the World.”  And who, “for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

All because of a Love that will not let us go.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!