Near the end of 2021 I began journaling through some of the old hymns. Such an exercise allows me to slow down my thinking and discover more meaning in the lyrics than when I quickly sing or read through them.
Today I invite you to contemplate with me the hymn, “To God Be the Glory,” rich with encouragement for our spirits. The inclusion of all three verses would make a lengthy post, so I chose just the last:
“Great things He hath taught us.”
I praise you, Lord God, for the wisdom of your Word. We can:
- Depend on you for strength and help
- Trust you for guidance and care
- Pray about everything and receive your peace
- Ask you for wisdom and know you will give it [1]
I praise you also for the godly examples you’ve provided throughout my life, people who lived out their faith before me and mentored me—Mom and Dad, my grandparents, Sunday School teachers and youth sponsors, professors, older and wiser friends, contemporaries who loved you and lived for you.
How gracious you’ve been, Father, to always provide numerous, grace-filled saints to encourage and bolster me.
And then there are the lessons you’ve taught me through experience—lessons in:
- exercising patience while raising our children
- keeping my mouth shut in various situations (!)
- developing a calm and gentle spirit
- fostering an attitude of gratitude
You inspired me in 1983 to begin my “God Is Faithful” journal, teaching me about your attributes at work. Now I have a personal record of your loving kindness, goodness, power and more, blessing us in amazing and delightful ways.
And that brings me to the next phrase of this hymn:
“Great things He hath done.”
In my life you’ve:
- provided for my needs
- protected me from harm
- given guidance for decisions
- developed the fruit of the Spirit within me (a work still in progress!)
- bestowed numerous gifts over the years beyond expectation
“Great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son.”
Oh, yes! I praise you Lord Jesus for the benefits you’ve made possible:
- saving me from the clutches of Satan
- creating me in you (spiritually transforming me, renewing me, making me ready to be used for good works)
- interceding for me before God
- inviting me to abide in you, to keep in close and pleasurable communion with you
- providing peace with God so I can experience his grace
- giving me all things pertaining to life and godliness (that is, everything necessary for a dynamic spiritual life) [2]
In addition, you reside in me, bestowing peace, joy, and hope [3].
My spirt soars as I contemplate these glorious benefits!
“But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
Yet there is still more to come even more glorious. One day you’ll make each of us pure and perfect, enabling us to live in your pure and perfect heaven.
I can only imagine the wonder and delight when we arrive there and experience all its wonders in the fullness of your presence! Thank you Heavenly Father for providing the way; thank you Lord Jesus for being that way, and thank you Holy Spirit for leading me to the way.
[1] Isaiah 41:10; 58:11; Philippians 4:6-7; James 1:5
[2] 2 Timothy 4:18; Ephesians 2:10 AMP; Romans 8:34; John 15:5; Romans 5:2; 2 Peter 1:3 AMP
[3] Colossians 1:27; John 14:27; Colossians 3:15; John 15:11; 1 Peter 1:3-5
Art & photo credits: http://www.wallpaper.com; http://www.pexels.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net (2).
From the Inside Out 
Hallelujah and a big AMEN in JESUS Nancy!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi
Thank you, Kristi. So glad you found encouragement here. Indeed, hallelujah and Shalom to you also!
Dear Nancy, oh I love seeing that snapshot of your old journal and your look at these precious hymns of the faith. These are the songs the Spirit brings to us in the night when sleep is hard to find, or as we grieve when we can’t find any words.
Those first pages of that journal are turning yellow and becoming dog-eared after all these years! (I like to think the paper was already old when I started!!) The last few years I’ve typed my entries in a Word file and then print them out at the end of December. Less paper, or that journal would surely have overflowed into another notebook by now. To date, it contains over 1500 entries! So glad to find another sister who cherishes the old hymns, Linda!
Oh, how God has blessed me over the years, Nancy! Makes me wish I’d kept better journals, but it’s never too late to start is it? Thanks so much, my friend, for your inspiration today.
Blessings!
You are so right–it’s never too late to start such a journal! You could begin by recording the blessings of the past as they come to mind, along with those of the present as they occur. It’s such a delightful blessing to keep such documentation.
Amen!!
Thank you, Beth. As always, I praise God for his inspiration behind each post!
Oh I love this hymn Nancy and how your post had my spirit singing. Your opening words describe this hymn perfectly- “rich with encouragement for our spirits.”
Praise God this post had your spirit singing! It’s that kind of hymn, isn’t it? Such glorious lyrics, reminding us of many joys we enjoy because of Jesus!
Wonderful post, great hymn. My favorite words are “when Jesus we see”.
Thank you, Benita. I have a feeling that, “when Jesus we see,” our hearts will nearly burst with wonder, gratitude, and joy!
I found this hymn on YouTube to refresh my memory on the tune – the “march” came right back to me. I have my growing-up years in the Methodist church to thank for my familiarity with these hymns. To your list of mentors I’d add “youth group leader”; those dedicated volunteers who came up with programs on countless Sunday nights at church to keep us teenagers focused. Lastly, I admire your faith journal, as much for the beautiful cursive as for the lengthy entries.
Back in my childhood at a Baptist church, we sang this same hymn. It became one of my favorites. / Yes, youth leaders certainly do provide influence! We called them “sponsors” at our church. Several were strongly impactful in my life. / As for the lengthy journal entries, please know I didn’t write every day, just now and then. And not all of them were long! / The cursive is greatly the result of teaching elementary school for 26 years. I had to be an example, you know! P.S. I once used this hymn as the inspiration of a parody you might find amusing: https://nancyaruegg.com/2013/01/07/a-song-for-commuters/
Your “highway hymn” was thoroughly entertaining, Nancy (with several LOL lyrics). That may be the most creative resolution to road rage I’ve ever seen. Charles Wesley would’ve been proud of you. Also, it was a treat to read something you wrote over ten years ago. You’ve been at this a long time!
Thanks, Dave. Never dreamed I’d still be blogging all these years later!
This practice has been so lifegiving to you and to us. Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome, Jean. Praising God does indeed lift and strengthen our spirits!
Praise the Lord for the Great Things He Has Done! Thank you, Nancy. I love this verse of the hymn and your commentary is so encouraging!
Praise God you found encouragement here, Pam! I find myself encouraged as I write such praises.
Love your “God is faithful” journal..what a great piece of memorabilia for yourself and your loved ones to have.
Beautiful praises you have for God as always. ❤️
Thank you, Alicia. That journal has been an encouragement to me countless times!
One of my favorite hymns from growing up in the Grace Brethren Church of my childhood and youth. I especially appreciated your reference to 2 Peter 1:3. This is the third time in the past 24 hours that the Lord has called my attention to both verses 3 and 4. It makes me feel so very connected to the Lord when this sort of God-incident happens. And I so look forward to the wonder of that upcoming transport! In the meantime I pray that my life will be used by Him to reach others.
That verse, 2 Peter 1:3, IS a reassuring promise! How delightful God has brought it to your attention 3 times in 24 hours–a God-incident for sure! No doubt God HAS used you to reach others, Cheri, because it’s such a passionate desire of yours. That’s just the kind of desire he loves to fulfill (Psalm 37:4-5)!
Wonderful post, great hymn. My favorite words are “when Jesus we see”.
Thank you, Tyler. I’m so glad the post ministered to you, and praise God for his inspiration!
Thank you Nancy for your beautiful express of His Love.
Thank you for stopping by, Carolyn, and taking time to comment. I’m delighted you found beauty here. And, as always, praise God for his inspiration!
Ah, this is beautiful. Amid the hustle and bustle, sometimes it’s easy to forget how blessed and loved we are. What a privilege to be loved by God. So unconditional and so pure. Thanks for this reminder, Nancy.
Thank you, Lux, and you’re welcome! I too need the reminders of how blessed and loved we are. Writing my responses to God is one way that helps me focus and meditate on who he is and what he does.