September 18th, 2012
I was sitting at a piano, trying to see what songs might be best for the coming week’s service and, more than anything, I was simply enjoying the beauty of God’s company for awhile. I’d not been there long, when these rich lyrics came to mind. First penned by Philip Bliss in 1875, these words’ profound grasp of the transforming wonder of Christ has always blessed me. I quickly jotted down a little melody that filled my heart and re-set the words to a new song—my little gift to this generation from one past. I say “my gift,” and yet I know there is so much more than that: It is God’s gift alone to grant new breath to His truth. I am humbled anytime He allows me to simply hold the pen. May these timeless words grip your heart, as they have mine. May you also be held in the warm embrace of that perfect gift: the light of Jesus’ presence.
“This is what God the Lord says— He who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, Who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: ‘I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.’” -Isaiah 42:5-7 NIV
Restore us, O God Almighty; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. -Psalm 80:7 NIV
The Light of the World is Jesus
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin.
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in.
The Light of the World is Jesus.
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide.
The Light of the World is Jesus.
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide.
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Come to the Light. ‘Tis shining for thee.
Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Go wash at His bidding, and light will arise.
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Come to the Light. ‘Tis shining for thee.
Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see
The Light of the World is Jesus.©2013 Amy Salter Rutherford/
Lyrics: Public Domain, Philip Bliss 1875
