V1
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
V2‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
V3Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
V4The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
V5Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
V6The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
V7When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
John Newton, ca. 1779
[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithāand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godā [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are Godās handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This enduring classic, “Amazing Grace,” transcends ages and remains a beloved hymn. Its timeless message of God’s grace, redemption, and forgiveness continues to captivate and inspire people of all generations.
Please read on for the devotional sourced from the book, Hymns Volume 1, Daily Grace Co.
At the age of cleven, John Newton left school to becomeĀ a seaman and lead a despicable lifestyle. He, eventually became involved in the slave-trade, capturing African natives and selling them into slavery. During a rather tumultuous storm, Newton became afraid for his lifeĀ andĀ found a copy of Thomas Ć Kempis’s bookĀ The Imitation of Christ. While reading, heĀ was miraculously converted.
Some years later, Newton became an ordained minister in Cambridge. Instead of the traditional psalms that were usually sung in services, he introducedĀ some simple hymns to the worship time. When he saw the need for more hymns he began to write some himself with the help of William Cowper. One such son was “Amazing Grace” – probably oneĀ the best known hymns of all time. This man man who was lost and blind had found Christ, and he would never be the same.Ā
We all have things in our past that we are not proud to recall. Even Paul, who formerly persecuted and killed Christians was able to put the past behind him in order to serve the Lord. We too have thisĀ responsibility and privilege. Paul gives this advice: “But one thing I do: forgettingĀ what lies behind and reaching forward to what is ahead; I pursue as my goal theĀ prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). We can not allow the regrets of our past to detour us from obedience in the fĆ¼ture. When we consider where Christ has brought us, we can proclÄ im with John Newton, “I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is aĀ
great Savior!”Study by Cara Cobble Trantham, Daily Grace Co
God’s boundless grace is all-encompassing. It offers redemption and extends freely to ALL humanity, regardless of faith, race, religion, or background, embracing even those deemed unworthy by earthly measures or those that society condemns ā¤ļø
May the backstory behind ‘Amazing Grace’ remind us that no matter our struggles, sins, unworthiness, etc, God’s redeeming love offers a brighter future. May it inspire hope beyond our circumstances, pointing us to a glorious eternity with our gracious God.
Psalms 100:5 NIV
[5] For the Lord is good, and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
To God be the glory always š
Idau Hahine 