January 27, 2011
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"In Thy Hand I Cannot Fall" (William Williams)
Over the past few days I've been wrestling . . .
the gall of bitterness (receiving glory from one another ~ ministry's temptation)
Rejoicing in the battle (Judges 20:27-28) | Letter 103 on assurance & fighting for joy
here I stand ~ the sparrow's song ~ I have found grace in the eyes of the Lord
Late last night as I was looking through "Sweet Singers of Wales," I found this wonderful hymn by William Williams (1717-1791). What a simple yet profound proclamation of the full assurance Christians can have in the midst of our trials – assurance for the weakest of them all!
In Thy Hand I Cannot Fall
by William Williams
In Thy hand I cannot fall,
Though the weakest of them all;
In Thy hand at length I come
From my trials safely home.
Do you have such a settled and firm assurance in your trials?
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
I Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
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If you have questions about assurance, please see my posts tagged assurance and trials, comment below and/or message me.
William Williams, also known as William Williams Pantycelyn, was a leader in the Welsh Calvinist Methodist movement in the 18th century (during the time of the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield). Williams wrote many poems and hymns, among which are "Guide Me, O, Thou Great Jehovah" and "Here Is Love Vast as the Ocean," both of which were written in Welsh and translated into English. For more information about Williams along with some of his hymns please see Chapter III of "Sweet Singers of Wales." You can also find the lyrics to several more of Williams' hymns in the eHymnBook here. Please also see my posts on deerlife about Williams here and here and here.
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Comments (2)
You always find these great old hymns! Thanks for an encouraging, uplifting post amid all of your personal trials!
@quest4god@revelife - Thanks, bro. I've looked through and read several of Williams' hymns before, but you know how it is – certain things have an impact at certain times, and so this hymn was perfect, particularly today as I was able to gain better perspective and see how God was definitely carrying me through and back to Him the last few days. Isaiah 40:11. IN HIS HAND I COULD NOT FALL!