My brother’s choice of the title for his guest post, “Beautiful Words,” stirred long ago memories of our mother, Margaret Ruth McCormick Macy. There were times when you walked into our farm home, or even heard through the walls from the outside, sounds that would make you think an accomplished pianist was inside. If so, I can tell you what was being played, an old hymn from the Phillip Bliss collection, “Wonderful Words of Life.” How can I be so sure? Because that is the only hymn Mom could really play well. I don’t know what piano training she had, but while she would struggle to sight read some other songs, this one was played with confidence and clarity. So, while I wouldn’t have asked her to be the church accompanist, I thank her for the memory of this one old hymn.
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
Refrain
Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.
Refrain
What are some of these wonderful words of life?
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
“Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my Word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34
“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” John 7:37
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12; 9:5
“I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10:11
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” John 14:6
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” John 14:27
“Take eat, this is my body…Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28
“Yet, not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36
“…today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43
“It is finished…” John 19:30
“He has risen, He is not here.” Mark 16:6
“…whoever believes in Him is not condemned…whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…” John 3:18: 36
“… he who began a good work in your will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
And that is just the beginning as you daily draw truth and encouragement from the Bible, the Wonderful Words of Life.
Tom Macy 