Overshadowed
How dark and drear my nights and days,
If Jesus’ face I did not see
To brighten all earth’s weary ways.
I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love eternal, changeless pure,
Overshadowed by His mighty love,
Rest is mine, serene, secure;
He died to ransom me from sin,
He lives to keep me day by day,
I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love that brightens all my way.
Dr. H. A. Ironside
I often remember Dr. Howard Hendricks (professor at Dallas Theological Seminary) sharing his conversations with another student. Prof. (the affectionate name the students used for him) noticed that the student looked distressed and asked, “How are doing?” The student answered, “Well Prof, pretty good, under the circumstances?” Prof responded, “What are you doing under there?” Puzzled, the student asked, “Under where?” Prof answered, “under the circumstances?”
Prof wasn’t being rude or insensitive. He really did care for the student. His purpose was to help the student swim above the depth of the burdening circumstances that were drowning him. We do that by reaching for the hand of Jesus. It is Jesus love that pulls us out from under the hardships of life’s burdens. As Dr. Ironside states in the above poem Overshadowed,
How desolate my life would be,
How dark and drear my nights and days,
If Jesus’ face I did not see
To brighten all earth’s weary ways.
Friends, what is it that burdens your heart on this day? Is it health, finances, a stained relationship, or something else that causes you to give up hope? Look into the eyes of Jesus. Take his hand. He is there to pull out of despair. It is “His mighty love” that brightens our way.
May your eyes be fixed on the Jesus. In him alone do we have hope.
2 comments:
My! Judging by your About Me entry, you're a busy person indeed! Do take time to smell the roses--or whatever they have down your way.
I spotted your blog today because you quote from Harry Ironside's song, "Overshadowed." I have sung it as a solo, but I wondered if anyone else remembered it. Today is the 133rd anniversary of Dr. Ironside's birth. I talk about the unusual circumstance of the writing of his song on my daily blog today, Wordwise Hymns.
As to being "under the circumstances," I must admit that I've been there at times--and I seemed to have lots of company! How much better to see ourselves as overshadowed by the love of God.
May God richly bless you in your service for Him.
Thanks Robert. I really appreciate your comments. I've always been a fan of Dr. Ironside. I've read that he would often speak to an audiance by simply opening his Bible and begin preaching on whatever passage it fell on. He had writen enough in his margins to give him a great sermon.
Not only was he great with the Scriptures, he also was talented in music. Seldom do we see men gifted in both areas. I'm not.
Thank you for your comments. It reminded me that I have this blog. I've tended to neglect it. It's good to know someone reads it.
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