Today's hymn is "Yield Not to Temptation".
I find this is a really challenging hymn - in the right ways. I wonder if some people would almost be offended by the second verses wordings. How many people feel that Jesus was almost like a hippy, just loving everyone and accepting people because He'd go to places and eat with sinners (whether he accepted their sin is a whole other topic for discussion), so we should be like other people to make them feel loved; or our language doesn't matter, so if I want to say certain words or phrases, no big deal. Certain cuss words we were always careful of in my family growing up; but that hasn't really changed because I am grown and have a young family now myself. The tongue is still possibly the most powerful part of humans. There can be life or death in how we use it. James speaks of it like a "fire, a world of iniquity". The Proverbs speak a number of times on the tongue (i.e. it can be a tree of life for someone or crush their spirit). So, I don't believe that the admonitions in this should be taken lightly. You don't have to be unfriendly to others, but when someone is evil, you should watch out that their corrupt ways can corrupt you and that you aren't a friend trying to be like them; or be loose with your tongue when you could speak with thoughtfulness and purity; or use the Lord's name improperly (saying OMG may not be what "using the Lord's name in vain" is exactly about, but we are talking the Lord here - do you use any other's persons name that way?) This hymn could almost be a daily prayer. It's one I've often meant to commit to memory. Really good, in my opinion.
Lyrics:
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
[Refrain:]
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s name hold in rev’rence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Savior, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
Words and music by: Horatio R. Palmer
1 сен 2020
