I Love To Tell The Story

This is a new song that was birthed in me as I drove to work this evening...

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

This song has it's roots in this Scripture...

Job 36

5 \t“Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one;
\tHe is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 \tHe does not preserve the life of the wicked,
\tBut gives justice to the oppressed.
7 \tHe does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous;
\tBut they are on the throne with kings,
\tFor He has seated them forever,
\tAnd they are exalted.
8 \tAnd if they are bound in fetters,
\tHeld in the cords of affliction,
9 \tThen He tells them their work and their transgressions—
\tThat they have acted defiantly.
10 \tHe also opens their ear to instruction,
\tAnd commands that they turn from iniquity.
11 \tIf they obey and serve Him,
\tThey shall spend their days in prosperity,
\tAnd their years in pleasures.
12 \tBut if they do not obey,
\tThey shall perish by the sword,
\tAnd they shall die without knowledge.
13 \t“But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath;
\tThey do not cry for help when He binds them.
14 \tThey die in youth,
\tAnd their life ends among the perverted persons.
15 \tHe delivers the poor in their affliction,
\tAnd opens their ears in oppression.
16 \t“Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress,
\tInto a broad place where there is no restraint;
\tAnd what is set on your table would be full of richness.

Job 33

25 \tHis flesh shall be young like a child’s,
\tHe shall return to the days of his youth.
26 \tHe shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
\tHe shall see His face with joy,
\tFor He restores to man His righteousness.
27 \tThen he looks at men and says,
\t“I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
\tAnd it did not profit me.’

In the last month, through many new circumstance, I have shared my testimony of how my Lord loves me....

In the ten years that I have been walkin with my Lord...He continues to remove the bonds of affliction that ensnare me with my old man...and His work is not complete...

In Christ
Jeff

These words spoke to me like never before...I recently moved to Pennsylvania, which means a new church. So in the last month I have been sharing various testimonies of how the Scriptures have worked in me to show me sin in my life. Scriptures have worked in me to teach me what it means to be a pilgram. Scriptures have worked in me to understand the righteousness that comes from Christ by grace through faith.

Then this last week, some members of SI visited me and then we went to visit another SI member. This was a time of sharing how the Lord has worked in our lives...

So when I heard these words...

The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I realized that the writer of this song was speaking of the testimonies that we share with one another about the ways Christ has loved us. Look to these words...I love to tell the story, for those who know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.

We were sharing on Wednesday with a brother who has been sick for some time. As the afternoon passed, we witnessed a spark of joy enter into this brother that was down. We had a wonderful time of sharing. We were all hungering and thirsting to hear the wonders of Christ's work in us.

"And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,"

As we all share about the things Christ has done in our lives...we are given "scenes of glory." And when we share... the joy of the Lord makes our hearts sing afresh the new new song...for each of us have different stories that are all rooted in the...

’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

This has been goin on for thousands of years.

More later...

In Christ
Jeff

Sister Jeannette wrote:

The connection with Job is interesting.

In Job we find that all who come to the Lord should respond in like manner...

25 \tHis flesh shall be young like a child’s,
\tHe shall return to the days of his youth.
26 \tHe shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
\tHe shall see His face with joy,
\tFor He restores to man His righteousness.
27 \tThen he looks at men and says,
\t“I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
\tAnd it did not profit me.’

Is not our ongoing testimony full of the ways God delivers us from what binds us to the old man...

Do not our hearts cry out in this way...

I love to tell the story,
T'will be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

We hear this old old song in David's heart

12 \tRestore to me the joy of Your salvation,
\tAnd uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 \tThen I will teach transgressors Your ways,
\tAnd sinners shall be converted to You.
14 \tDeliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
\tThe God of my salvation,
\tAnd my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 \tO Lord, open my lips,
\tAnd my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Do you see the reason why we testify of His love?

In Christ
Jeff

This is another old story...

Psalm 25

5 \tLead me in Your truth and teach me,
\tFor You are the God of my salvation;
\tOn You I wait all the day.
6 \tRemember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
\tFor they are from of old.
7 \tDo not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
\tAccording to Your mercy remember me,
\tFor Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
8 \tGood and upright is the LORD;
\tTherefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 \tThe humble He guides in justice,
\tAnd the humble He teaches His way.
10 \tAll the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
\tTo such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 \tFor Your name’s sake, O LORD,
\tPardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 \tWho is the man that fears the LORD?
\tHim shall He teach in the way He chooses.

His grace brings truth to our ways...

In Christ
Jeff

Proverbs 3:

3My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall [fn1] direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your [fn2] flesh,
And strength [fn3] to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

Do you see and hear "The Story I Love To Tell" in these verses? It is an old old story, that becomes a new song in us, for we too see ourselves in this Scripture...

In Christ
Jeff