Tucked away in the old 1951 Inspiring Hymns hymnal is a song I don’t know. Do you remember singing from “the red hymnal” (as we call it)? We like to sing from that hymnal in our evening worship service.

That I am not familiar with the words or the tune is not saying much since my knowledge of old hymns and modern songs is limited. Others have helped immensely with books which tell the story that inspired the writing of a hymn. A few have laboriously created websites with words of each stanza and electronic melodies to assist in singing. Neither proved helpful in my search for Number 448.

Number 448 separates two well-known favorites, Fanny Crosby’s Saved By Grace and Haldor Lillenas’s Wonderful Grace of Jesus. I thought the placement of The Mercies of God between two hymns about the grace of Jesus to be more than coincidental.

It can be a dangerous pursuit to read the words of hymns like this one. While at first you might casually glance, a second look entraps your mind and you begin to think about the truth each line conveys. Before long, not only are you agreeing with what is said, but you begin uttering words of gratefulness, praise, and thanksgiving to the One who is so merciful.

We’re going to sing this hymn tomorrow night. I am eager to learn the words, hear the tune, and practice its truth.

The Mercies Of God
Jesse B. Thomas (words) / Thomas O. Chisholm (tune)

The mercies of God what a theme for my song,
Oh! I never could number them o’er,
They’re more than the stars in the heavenly dome,
Or sands of the wave beaten shore.

Chorus: For mercies so great, what return can I make?
For mercies so constant and sure?
I’ll love Him, I’ll serve Him with all that I have
As long as my life shall endure.

They greet me at morn when I waken from sleep,
And they gladden my heart at the noon;
They follow me on into shades of the night
When the day with it labor is done.

His angels of mercy encompass me ’round,
Wheresoever my pathway may lead;
Each turn of the road some new token reveals—
Oh! for me life is blessed indeed.

His goodness and mercy will follow me still,
Even on to the end of the way,
I have His sure promise and that cannot fail,
That His mercy endureth for aye.

Praise the Lord—His mercy, His loving kindness, His steadfast love—is everlasting. And, a happy Thanksgiving Day to you.

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo is credited with christening San Pedro Bay in 1542 as “La Bahia de la Fumos” — Bay of Smokes — for the way smoke from Indians’ fires hug the ground. If he had discovered California this weekend, I wonder what he would have said? Even now a few ashes are swirling around my face.

As a twist on another famous fire quote, while Southern California burned, the Spanish congregation did not fiddle. The final day before a service devoted as an evangelistic outreach many of their members gave the church-house a (as I overheard one say) “deep cleaning.” It was not the best day to be outside doing a lot of heavy breathing. Nothing was going to deter what they had set their heart and hand to do.

God blessed their organization, prayers, invitations to come, and all their preparations. I know I won’t get the numbers exact (and I certainly don’t want to overstate what God has done). I was told there were about forty “guests” present, that is, individuals who do not normally attend a church service. I also heard from a couple of folks whose guests did not come. Instead of being disappointed they remarked how they planned to continue to invite them and others to come and hear God’s Word and the “good news” about Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, a special musician sang and Ezer Lopez preached. God moved upon the hearts of several, maybe twenty. Did these all profess faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? I don’t know. Maybe in a week or so we will know more because, as part of their preparation, the Spanish congregation set in place a plan for follow-up, too. I did receive one report that a relative of one of the members that has been prayed for a good number of years (something like twenty-five years or more) came to the service and publicly responded.

What a blessing and encouragement it is to see their growth in this area of faith! I know they would appreciate your continuing prayer on their behalf as they aim to be faithful to the Lord. Would you also especially pray for those new “babes in Christ”?

November 11, 2008 marks the 90th anniversary of “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was the anniversary of the symbolic end of World War I, November 11, 1918 when a truce was signed between the Allies and Germany. The armistice took effect “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” The original purpose of the holiday was to commemorate those members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. After World War II, Armistice Day was renamed “Veterans Day” in 1954 to honor American veterans of all wars.

So what is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day (also known as “Decoration Day”)? Here is an answer from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs:

“Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty. A complete history of Veterans Day, and why it is observed on November 11, can be found on the Veterans Day History Web page.”

Because of the momentous events of last week, I almost forgot about Veterans Day. This is my feeble attempt to make amends.

To each of you who served our country in the Armed Forces—THANK YOU! We will not forget your sacrifice to maintain our country’s liberty. And to the men and women currently serving in each branch of the United States’ military —THANK YOU! We will continue to remember you in prayer.