This devotion is one of series written for Youth Choir Tour 2008.  This is today’s devotion that we are sharing.

“Amazing Grace” by John Newton
 

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believ’d! 

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me, His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. 

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below, Will be forever mine. 

Amazing Grace is one of the all time great songs, much less hymns of the church.  Even non-religious people know of the power of the song “Amazing Grace.”  PBS has done a fantastic documentary about the power of the song.  Its words cut extremely deep into the hearts of many.  Over 1800 different artists have a version of it on sell on-line.  Its popularity has stunned and amazed and it is sung at countless funerals as a reminder of the truth of its message.

And all of it is because the hymn is an amazing declaration of faith in God’s magnificent power and love.  The song reminds us of the fact of what Scripture has taught: that all have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)  None of us is righteous enough for God.  None of us is good enough for God.  None of us is perfect.  And yet, his amazing grace means God is true to us in spite of it all. 

And it speaks the truth about what life is like: full of toils, dangers and snares, of a wearying, short mortal life that we will all have to deal with.  And in its place God has offered to be our shield, our portion, our protector and our Savior.

And it speaks all of this because it was written by a man who knew of the sorrow of turning from a life of sin.  John Newton was a slave trader, a man of a despicable character and reputation.  And yet, in his moment of need, God heard his call, and gave him the promised new life that God offers us all.  Because of grace, Newton becomes a man of faith, a pastor, writer, teacher and one who worked to undo the sins he had done. 

Today, be reminded that all of us are ultimately dependant of the grace of God.  Without his grace, we don’t have life, hope, promise or even the blessings we have today.  God’s grace is amazing and definitely worth us singing about.

Ephesians 2:4.5: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.