Wednesday's Word: Bless, O Lord, The Opening Year

 

"Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily from the soul,
as something done for the Lord and not for men...

Knowing with all certainty that it is from the Lord and not from
men that you will receive the inheritance which is your real reward.
The One Whom you are actually serving is the Lord Jesus Christ."
(Colossians 3:23-24)

Image courtesy/StockCake

Bless, O Lord, the opening year,

To each soul assembled here:

Create Thy Word with power divine,

Make us willing to be Thine.

Shepherd of Thy blood-bought sheep!

Teach the stony heart to weep;

Let the blind have eyes to see,

See themselves, and look on Thee!

Let the minds of all our youth

Feel the force of sacred truth;

While the Gospel call they hear,

May they learn to love and fear.

Show them what their ways have been,

Show the desert of their sin;

Then Thy dying love reveal,

This shall melt a heart of steel.

Where Thou hast Thy work begun,

Give new strength the race to run;

Scatter darkness, doubts and fears,

Wipe away the mourners' tears.

Bless us all both old and young

Call forth praise from every tongue:

Let the whole assembly prove

All Thy power and all Thy love.

"Bless, O Lord, The Opening Year"
(1789)
John Newton
(1725-1807)
English evangelical Anglican cleric
and slavery abolitionist
Known for his famous hymn,
"Amazing Grace"

Epitaph on the Grave Stone of John Newton
Written himself
Saint Peter & Saint Paul Parish
Olney, England
Image courtesy/Bruce Gourley/Baptist Life