The gift of salvation bestowed on us freely by God ought to make us happy and joyful to our Maker and Preserver. All other benefits we get from God are addendums to God’s work of salvation over us. Many who are genuinely saved will enjoy the banquet which will be prepared by God.
Introduction
The Almighty Himself for all the nations of the world at the close of the age. The content of the meal to be eaten at the banquet is the richest food and the finest wine.
No matter how furious God’s Children may make Him be, His anger is just for a while because He is a loving father and it is His steadfast love that endures forever. Two nature of God was revealed from today’s text; His wrath and His mercy.
His wrath brought about punishment and imprisonment for His loving people just because He loved them and he wanted them to change while His Mercy brought about His reigning and revelation of His glory to His people.
Meditation 1
As the year is gradually winding up, God in His mercy has purposed to visit you again to turn your situation around for good. Just don’t lose focus on Him. You will soon shout and sing for Joy again and again.
Jesus, the Sustainer of our living hope made it clear that there would be trials and persecution in this world but He assured of to be of good cheer(be glad)for, He has overcome the world for us(John 16:33 paraphrased).
Meditation 2
Paul also said in Philippians 4:4. Apostle Peter in verse 7 of today’s text says we can prove our faith in Christ as genuine; when we remain strong in challenging moments by singing praises to God. This is because of great faithfulness.
The following two hymns encompass the greatness and faithfulness of God. They will minister to you and all that concerns you when you read the texts and listen to the lyrics/tunes of the hymns. Remain blessed.
Hymn 1: Great Thy Faithfulness
This hymn eulogizes the faithfulness and glorifies the greatness of the Lord. He demonstrates the immanence of God as the one that has compassion and love. He never fails and makes everything possible for us as His children. The hymn contains three stanzas and three choruses from which we can experience the faithfulness and his good works both on earth and in heaven.
Great Thy Faithfulness
Great Thy faithfulness, O Lord, my Father
There is no shadow of
Turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassion, Thy fail no
As Thou hast been,
Thou forever will be
Chr; Great is Thy faithfulness /2ce
Morning by morning new mercies I see,
All I have needed,
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Stanza 1
This stanza testifies to the greatness and faithfulness of God. The Lord is so faithful that no shadow will have power over him. His faithfulness will not allow darkness to overcome you, your family, career, job, business, ministry, and all things that concern you. God provides new mercies every morning. The Lord is faithful to everyone irrespective of our unfaithfulness.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon, and stars in courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love
Chr; Great is Thy faithfulness/2ce
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed,
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Stanza 2
This stanza captures all the great works of God. The Lord made the moon, stars, winters, summer, and son. There are spring and harvest times; all these are works of God for humankind because of His greatness and faithfulness. We can witness all these; His mercy and love stand forever because of faithfulness. Morning by morning, we see His mercy and love and provide all that we need.
Pardon for sin and
a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence
to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and
bring hope for tomorrow
Blessing all mine,
with ten thousand beside
Chr; Great is Thy faithfulness/2ce
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed,
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Stanza 3
This stanza teaches us that the faithfulness of the Lord brings a pardon for sin and peace. He guides us, and his faithfulness brings hope and strength. Today may be rough but tomorrow will be glorious hopeful.
Your faithfulness blessed us and you are great, O Lord. You are the Lord who provided all that we needed every day. His mercies and love are with us. Listen to the tune/lyrics of the hymn by the music minister, sing and learn.
Hymn 2: Surely I come quickly
This is to lose the most tragic thing that can ever happen to human beings in life one’s hope. Some people place their hope on ephemeral i.e. money, fame, achievements, power, etc.
This kind of hope is as good as hopelessness because those things will come to an end one day, such kind of hope can be regarded as dead hope.
Believe in Jesus Apostle Peter reveals to us that as many that Christ has a living hope which can never end because its foundation is from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This living hope is what sustains us at the time of our trials and temptation as Christians, why not appreciate God for the unique gift of a living hope you received through Jesus?
The hymn is curious about the second coming of Jesus Christ and the writer wants Jesus Christ to come right now because this world is old.
The church has waited a long
Her absent Lord to see;
And still in loneliness, she waits
As a friendless stranger she
Age after age has gone
Sun after of her dear Lord bereft
She weeps, a mourner yet,
Come then, Lord Jesus, come!
Stanza 1
This stanza reminds all Christians and believers of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The writer of the hymn is curious about how the church has been waiting to receive the visitation of Jesus Christ.
We, the Christians are lonely because the coming of Jesus Christ is too late. We are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ and the writer is eagerly calling Jesus Christ to come right away.
Saint after saint on earth
Has lived, and loved, and died
And as they left us one by one.
We laid them side by side
We laid them down to sleep
But not in hope forlorn
We laid them but to slumber there
Till the last glorious morn
Come then, Lord Jesus, come!
Stanza 2
The writer says in this stanza that the Christians have been looking for the coming of Jesus Christ with love and died in hopelessness. Many have died while looking unto your coming to this earth. We wait for you to come now Jesus Christ. We are expecting you.
The serpent’s brood increase
The pow’r of hell grow bold
The conflict thickens, and faith is low
And love is waxing cold
How long, O Lord our God
Holy, and true, and good
Wilt Thou not judge Thy suffering
Church
Her sighs, her tears, and blood?
Come then, Lord Jesus, come
Stanza 3
The writer divulges that in the process of waiting, many things are happening and conflicts spread. There is no love any longer. The writer discloses that Jesus Christ has been long. There are sufferings, tears, and blood in the world now. Come Jesus right now. We are waiting…
And long hear Thy voice
To see Thee face to face
To share Thy crown and glory then
As now we share Thy grace
Come, Lord, and wipe away
Stanza 4
The last stanza says that Jesus is needed because we want to see Him face-to-face and hear His voice. We want to share His glory and grace. We do not want to wait anymore. Come now, Jesus Christ. We are waiting for you… Listen to this tune of the hymn, sing, learn, and enjoy yourself.
The curse, the sin, the stain
And make this blighted world of ours
Thine own fair world again
Come then, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Stanza 5
The last stanza explains how sins, curses, and other immoralities are many. Let this world be a place for us to live until you come. The world has become a hell for us to live in. So, we are waiting for you, Jesus. Come, Come, and come right now. More related articles on music and events can be enjoyed here. Listen to the tune of the hymn, sing, and learn.
Music Minister: Adedotun Emmanuel
