Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.Fanny Crosby, ca. 1873
Here’s a more familiar hymn: it’s timeless and remains an enduring and beloved hymn in many Christian traditions.
“Blessed Assurance” is more than a cherished hymn – its lyrics are transformative. Hence, for myself, reading about and discovering its backstory points out a profound truth: God empowers us, imperfections and all, to serve His divine will. Our flaws become vessels for His perfect plan.
Psalms 139:14 NIV
[14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Despite knowing better, our human nature more often than not yearns for earthly validation, however the Scripture above and devotional about this hymn remind us: we are integral parts of God’s handiwork, part of His excellent and wonderful creation.
May this eternal truth overcome doubt, fear, and every stronghold that Satan has established, is trying to establish, or will try to establish. It’s time, my friends, to shake off the need for earthly validation!
We know that humanity’s fall began with one man’s sin, but Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, reversed the curse. He bore our guilt, conquered death, and ascended to the Father’s right hand. His return will usher God’s children into eternal reunion: Christ is our Blessed Assurance.
Here’s the devotional on this timeless hymn sourced from “Hymns Volume 1 Daily Grace Co”!
Due to improper medical treatment when she was six weeks old, Fanny Crosby became blind. While many would have allowed bitterness to overtake them, Fanny used her disability as a way to encourage others.
A man once pitied her for not being able to see. Fanny replied that if she had the choice, she would not desire to have her sight. She counted herself honored that when she got to heaven, the face of Jesus would be the first she would see.
She writes with confidence, “I shall know Him by the prints of the nails in His Hand” (“My Savior First of All”). By reading her hymns, you would not know that this dear lady was blind. She speaks of Jesus hiding her soul in the cleft of the rock, “where rivers of pleasure I see” (“He Hideth My Soul”).
Fanny Crosby is a beautiful example of a woman who could have basked in self-pity. What if we, like Fanny, decided not to let anything take away our joy in Christ? Her motto in life was, “O what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world contented I will be.”There will always be a multitude of excuses we can find to give for why we will not be effective doing the things God has called us to do. Perhaps Fanny will never know the gift that her 8,000 hymns gave to the world because her focus was not on the world but her Savior.
In another hymn, she writes, “Take the world, but give me Jesus, let me view His constant smile? (“Take the World, but Give Me, Jesus?). May our lives reflect the words of our Lord spoken of Mary who anointed His feet with oil, the same words etched on Fanny’s tombstone: “She hath done what she could.”
Study by Cara Cobble Trantham, Daily Grace Co
Fanny’s story reminds us that we are God’s masterpieces – flaws and all – crafted with love and purpose. Let’s embrace our divine worth and live authentically.
Romans 5:17-19 NIV
[17] For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! [18] Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. [19] For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
To God be the glory always! ❤️🙏
Idau Hahine 