As we were singing last Sunday morning, I was particularly drawn to a phrase in a song written by Charles Gabriel entitled, “Only a Step.” As we sang this old familiar hymn, I struck by a feeling of Deja vu–that I was missing an important connection to the past. At the end of the third verse, just before the chorus, are the words: “Jesus, I come to Thee.” The author carefully uses these words to highlight the tragedy of waiting too long to acknowledge our need for the Savior. I jotted myself a reminder to give this matter further consideration.
Later in the day, when I was rummaging through the files in my mind, I discovered a connection to another favorite song of my younger years entitled, “Out of My Bondage.” In this powerful invitation hymn by W.T. Sleeper are the repetitive phrases: “Jesus, I come” and “Jesus, I come to Thee.” Anyone familiar with the song knows just how important these phrases are to the overall impact of the song.
When I decided to Google these familiar songs on my computer, I discovered that “Out of My Bondage” was published in 1887, four years before “Only a Step.” Since Charles Gabriel was so immersed in singing, having written 7 to 8 thousand songs as well as having conducted many singing schools, it made me wonder if he had been influenced by the earlier song as he wrote “Jesus, I come to Thee.” Probably not. But, if someone living 127 years later can make a meaningful connection between these songs, perhaps, there is lasting value in making important connections to the past.
God appears to have designed the human brain to make such connections and, in having done so, has blessed us in a powerful way. Consider how this relates to partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
(1 Cor. 11:23-24). Consider how this relates to avoiding the mistakes of by-gone generations
(1 Cor. 10:11-12). Consider how this relates to appreciating the substance of what we have in Christ as compared to the shadows of the Old Covenant (Hb. 10:12).
But, most importantly, consider how this relates to a meaningful study of God’s word. Slowly, over a long period of time, we develop greater and greater familiarity with precious treasures contained in God’s word. Years later, in reading a particular passage, we are struck with a feeling of Deja vu–a feeling that we are missing an important connection to the past. Sure enough, with a little digging, we uncover a precious treasure buried deeply in the heart–perhaps, even a Bible story we learned long ago as a child. Study God’s word with careful reflection and thank God for faithful, dedicated Bible class teachers who fill the hearts of their students with precious truths from God’s word! Tell me again why you are not making Sunday School a priority for your children.