“Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound,” ELW 779 and LBW 448
1 Amazing grace! — how sweet the sound —
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3 Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
4 The Lord has promised good to me;
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
5 When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
Devotion
The inhumane trans-Atlantic slave trade depicted the nature of Adam in humanity. It has been a perpetual scar on the human mind.
It is no wonder that this hymn's composer, John Newton, who was a slave trader before coming to Christ, describes himself as once “wretched, lost and blind.” The hymn is most beloved in many Christian nations. People love the hymn because they can relate to John Newton’s pre-Christian state.
We have all been saved by grace through Jesus Christ. We did not deserve the grace of God in our pre-Christian state. The grace of God assures us of a secure eternal future. While we marvel at God’s grace, we must not forget that we have to live responsibly. Our lifestyles must be that of obedience to God, no matter the circumstances. Grace, then, would not only be “amazing” but aromatic – attracting others without a word.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for saving me, though I am undeserving. Please help me to demonstrate your gracious deeds to me by telling others about the grace and love in Christ from which they too can benefit. Amen.