Hymns from the Saints
About a year ago, my wife fell and fractured her right femur near the hip joint. This traumatic event required emergency hip-replacement surgery. The operation was successful, and she has fully recovered.
Trauma
Such accidents happen all the time. But this event had major complications. We were not at home in Carrollton, Georgia. Furthermore, we were halfway around the world in a remote location, where English was the second language, at best. We knew nothing about medical facilities or doctors. She was in shock from the trauma. And, I was temporarily losing my voice with a case of laryngitis!
Prayer, Trust
After prayer and more than a little trust in local doctors and non-medical personnel, I made a decision. We took a five-hour ambulance ride to a hospital in the closest major city. The surgeon operated the next day.
Have you ever awakened after a night’s sleep with a hymn sounding in your consciousness? Two days after the surgery, I awoke thinking of a hymn—"God Moves in a Mysterious Way.” I learned this hymn as a youth. I like it, but it was not a favorite. Then, I thought of the lyrics.
God Guides - Rejoice
“God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform.
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And guides us through the storm.”
Then, another hymn flooded my consciousness.
“Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing,
And triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Gratitude
I was overcome with gratitude to God and to the many people of the foreign country who had helped us. Then, when I finally had a good night’s sleep and the immediate trauma was over, what a gift to me were these great hymns!
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Mystical Connection
“For All the Saints” and indeed every Christian hymn are a mystical and compelling expression of the connection of Christian believers, past and present. They resonate in our hearts and minds, helping us connect with God and other people.
The Apostles Creed states this connection as “the communion of the saints.”
Hebrews, chapter twelve, declares, "we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. This chapter continues with admonitions to “pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe.”
Keep Singing!
Dr. Larry
Click Below for Hymn of the Week Episode: For All the Saints
