In preparation for this week’s worship services, I did a search on the internet to see the most popular hymns. The particular hymns on the list vary depending on the particular site you visit, but most of the lists include very well-known and beloved hymns. Here is one of the lists I found, in order of popularity:
1. “Amazing Grace” 6. “Abide with Me”
2. “Just As I Am” 7. “Holy! Holy! Holy!”
3. “Be Thou My Vision” 8. “Fairest Lord Jesus”
4. “O God Our Help in Ages Past “ 9. “Morning Has Broken”
5. “Nearer, My God to Thee” 10. “How Firm A Foundation”
I would certainly wish to add a few to my own list of favorites, including “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Rock of Ages,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “Here I Am, Lord”
There are many great hymns that help us celebrate the seasons of the Christian year such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, “Joy to the World,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Where You There” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Other hymns help steady us through times of sorrow and loss, “How Great Thou Art” “Hymn of Promise” and “Abide with Me.” There are also hymns that I regularly return to that provide reassurance and guidance as I go through my days: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” “Be Thou My Vision” and “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”. Of course, there are many praise songs and other sorts of inspirational music that I know and love, but I come back time and time again to the hymns in our hymnal.
For many years I have kept a hymnal handy near my Bible and journal to use in my daily time with God. The hymns lift my spirit and give me words that are both familiar and profound. I may not remember the particular scripture that day or the devotional reading, but I will almost always remember the hymn and the words and music stay with me throughout the day.
Blessings,
Pastor Steve