Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus -- Charles Wesley

Thirty-seven-year-old Charles Wesley read his bible, as the remembrance of Deity’s arrival in-the-flesh approached one year in 18^th Century England (see its flag here). Lots of prophets had given clues for centuries about this singular event, and so Charles leaned on those to craft his poetry, while also quite possibly borrowing the thoughts of a century-old philosopher’s inspirational words about how God uniquely works in the human heart. The circumstances of many of the orphaned children in the surrounding English community were apparently also on his mind, so Charles borrowed the words of a prayer that he felt expressed his sense of how one special child’s life could raise the lives of others who were not so fortunate. Whether Charles or some other anonymous person first uttered this prayer, it speaks for all of us.

 

Charles Wesley authored at least 18 Christmas songs that were collected into one publication (Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord and New Year’s Day, 1745), including ‘Come…Jesus’, a prayer-poem that Charles used to celebrate not just the arrival of the Jesus-babe, but also to create expectation for His return someday. Especially what Haggai (2:7) had to say about the ‘desire of nations’ helped spur Charles’ poetry. But, he was likely reading lots of Isaiah’s, and Micah’s, and Matthew’s, and Luke’s writings, also, among others. Was Ecclesiastes (3:11) in there too, as he mentions humanity finding ‘rest in thee’? It’s thought that Wesley might have read something from the philosopher Blaine Pascal, who said a century earlier that ‘There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person that cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator’…was Pascal thus also aware of what the preacher said in Ecclesiastes? Verse two of Charles’ poem is a prayer, uttered by either himself or someone in his time, and is worth repeating here: ‘Born Your people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Your gracious kingdom bring. By Your own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by Your all sufficient merit, raise us to Your glorious throne. Amen.’ Finally, Wesley was said to be dismayed by the state of orphans in his community, and also by the rift between classes of people of his time, and that this prayer resonated with him as he thought about a time and place where all peoples would be lifted above earth’s trials. Nothing hurts in a human life more than to experience want or conflict on a holiday that is supposed to embody joy. Seems like Charles understood that, huh?

 

Jesus arrived, some might say unexpectedly. He was anticipated by prophets, and yet He took most people by surprise because of the venue He chose. And, that He is supposed to be returning creates even more hope, at least for those who want Him to recreate everything again. What will it be like, this New Heaven and New Earth (Isaiah 65-66; 2 Peter 3; Revelation 21)?  It’s almost beyond imagination’s power, and certainly cannot be adequately described, even with scores of adjectives. It will have to be seen and experienced. Jesus said the time is known by only His Father (Mark 13:32), so there will be something about it that takes everyone by surprise. You and I need not fret about that time and its uncertainty, for the good that He created in the beginning will be His to remake in ‘imperishable’ and ‘immortal’ fashion (1 Cor. 15:53-54), in a flash (v.52). In one sense He will be expected, but I long to be thrilled, flabbergasted, swallowed up, and speechless at seeing His amazing return. Are you ready to be astonished?   

   

   

   

See more information on the song story in these sources: The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006; Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1990.

 

As the Deer -- Dennis Jernigan

 

Almost 34 years had elapsed, but he still remembered. Perhaps in some ways, Dennis Jernigan would prefer to not have such a good memory of a time such as that day, May 26^th, 1987. And yet, that special time when he was a 28-year-old, and felt so distressed that he described himself as a wild animal with a desperate need for water – that’s when Dennis metaphorically thought of himself “As the Deer”, searching for a drink (perhaps not unlike the deer that walked through my neighborhood one recent morning, see picture). It was something he didn’t keep private, but shared with his Creator as he read an example written by an ancient poet, a person with whom Dennis felt camaraderie. That old poet also felt downcast, so Dennis says he drew upon the ageless work of that song-maker for sustenance. And, then he’s gone about telling others about that day, with a version of his own psalm from the Sons of Korah (Psalm 42).

 

In his podcast on March 29, 2021, Dennis Jernigan talked about the day in May 1987 as if it were yesterday. He admits, as anyone who’s in a deep pit might also do, that he thought for a time that the most refreshing answer to his misery might be death. That this episode happened just before he really began to make his journey with published music for others to hear (beginning in 1989) says something about the authenticity of Dennis’ song story. This was his own way out of that desert, a method he now ardently recommends others employ. And yet, Dennis is quick to relate that he doesn’t think of himself as really emerging from the dry time, but instead just discovered that God was still with him. That’s how he found – or rather, in whom he found – nourishment. His very life depended on finding that God was with him, and by drawing on His deep well. Dennis began the podcast by also sharing the story of another person who felt downcast, because she was an outcast. The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) evidently was someone with whom Dennis also identified. Dennis’s life journey has brought him through struggle, as a man trying to understand his own past and the homosexual lifestyle he had chosen for a time (he left that lifestyle in 1981). You can read about this in his book Giant Killers. He’s adamant that Jesus has been the only answer for the thirst he had, and still has, and that realizing this has been transformative. That’s why the Samaritan woman at the well is a story that resonates with Dennis; she was searching for happiness and meaning in all the wrong ways, and Jesus tells her that He can give her the only water that will satisfy (John 4:15). Dennis’ message is simple: you can get out of the pit of despair, but you and I need the God-man continually for the wherewithal to live here and in the eternal future.  

 

In the ‘maskil’ (perhaps a musical or literary term) psalm that the Korahites wrote, and the one that Dennis echoes, you don’t have to guess what these writers feel. Most of the ‘maskils’ (see especially the 7/28/2008 and 5/15/2009 blog entries for more discussion of this) indicate these poets felt a despondency that they salved with their prayers and songs to God. Is that implicit in the term ‘maskil’? Short answer: we don’t know. But, Dennis, and you, and I can know for certain that He hears. Part of the hearing, it seems, is that others with whom we walk and talk every day also have things with which they grapple. Nothing is outta bounds when it comes to relating to each other. We all need each other’s understanding, and the God who will ultimately heal all of those hurts. If Dennis has done this, so can you and I. We all need and have access to the water He has.   

 

See this link for a podcast in which the author shares the song’s story: http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/as-the-deer-thirsts-for-the-water/

 

Read more about the author here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Jernigan

 

And, here also: Dennis Jernigan | About DJ

At the Name of Jesus – Randy Gill

 

‘I’m glad he was reading and remembering as he wrote, and that he was listening and going in the direction that the Spirit gave him’. That is what one might say if he heard what Randy Gill had to say when asked about the foundation for “At the Name of Jesus”. He didn’t just think of one piece of ancient writing when he penned the words (including this representation of Jesus’ name in Aramaic/Syrian, shown here), and that is essentially what makes Randy’s song so energetic and laudable. This 21^st Century composer and professor has the educational wherewithal to write great music, and yet he knows it’s not really within himself to find that seminal spark for a memorable song. He proves it in the words he collected in ‘At the Name…’. He evidently discovered early on in his composing life the essential ingredients, the unique and indispensable elements that he accessed one day in 1998.

 

Here’s what Randy has to say in his own words about ‘At the Name of Jesus’, some 24 years after he wrote the song and it was published.

 

At the Name was the second worship song I ever tried to write. I’ve always loved the Jesus passages in Philippians 2 and decided to try my hand at setting verse 10. The song actually started as a very slow, contemplative piece but quickly evolved into the more upbeat, celebration statement it ended up being. … At The Name of Jesus was just an expression of devotion and praise.

 

Dr. Gill, with the skill of an academic researcher and the heart of a devoted follower, knows where to find great constituent parts for the foundation of something on which others can rely. You and I can revel in the words Randy used, because they come straight from trustworthy sources. Paul the Apostle, that fellow whom Jesus said He’d show ‘how much he must suffer for my name’ (Acts 9:16), was perhaps the most credible spokesman for Christ who ever lived. So, when he says what Randy repeats about ‘every knee bow(ing)’ and ‘every tongue confess (ing)’, (Philippians 2:10-11), every mortal dare not ignore that. This might actually have been a piece of an ancient hymn that Paul borrowed, so perhaps that helped Randy feel that its pedigree was enhanced even more. Later in ‘At the Name…’, Randy was employing the gifted insight of another when he calls out to the God-Man as the ‘Wonderful Counselor’, Mighty God’, Everlasting Father’, ‘the Prince of Peace’. Isaiah (9:6), who preceded Paul by some seven or eight centuries, is the poet-prophet that Randy and the rest of us have appreciated for so many years for giving us those collectively stirring names for Him. Finally, Randy cites another great 1^st Century spokesmen – Peter -- when he writes ‘no other name by which we’re saved’, an unequivocal statement that Peter (and John) made when confronting the highest authorities in their world (Acts 4:12). That says volumes about this name Jesus, doesn’t it?

 

Three ancient spokepersons – Paul, Isaiah, and Peter – who had the same esteem for God – seems like that ought to be something pretty awesome to repeat. Maybe that’s what had Randy initially thinking this song he was beginning to write should be a ‘very slow, contemplative’ thing. It will be a breathtaking, even fearsome time when humanity finally meets Him in-person. But, for those of us whom He welcomes into His home, a celebration like no other will quickly ensue. Randy just didn’t feel like he wanted to wait any longer! How about you? Randy says ‘join in!’

 

 

The only source for the story of the song is this blogger’s e:mail contact-exchange with the author-composer on 9/22/2022.

 

See link here for information on the song’s author-composer: https://www.lipscomb.edu/directory/gill-randy