for a thousand tongues to sing

O, for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemers praise, the glories of my God and king, the triumphs of His grace. My gracious master and my God assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth above the honors of thy name. Jesus the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, ‘tis music in the sinners ear, ‘tis life and health and peace. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free. His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me. He speaks, and listening to His voice, new life the dead receive. The mournful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe. Glory to God, and praise and love be ever, ever given, by saints below and saints above, the church, and earth, and heaven.

I love this song. I was listening to it the other day on my ipod while sitting on the back steps of the church, staring at the beautiful mountains surrounding me. Jesus spoke to my heart.

I was thinking about the millions and millions around the world that do not know what it is like to sing to Jesus. To praise Him, our king, through song. They do not understand the power of worship…to something REAL and ALIVE. They have never experienced something so real and so intimate as worship to their creator. Their hearts have never been filled to the brim with His love and grace. I cannot get the chanting of the temples out of my head. It hurts my heart every single time I hear it. People saying the same thing over and over again to things/objects that will never hear them. Things that cannot respond. They are raising their voices in vain. To nothing.
But as I was listening to this song, God reminded me of these verses in Revelations: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in one loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Oh what a BEAUTIFUL, beautiful picture. I cannot wait for this day. God has created each and every one of us to know that there is something out there. Something greater then ourselves. He made us to want it. So many are searching for what that is. So many think they have found it, and are trying to be satisfied in things other then Christ, but I hold on to hope. HIS hope. Someday, we will stand before His throne, surrounded by people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. What a sweet day that will be. He gives us such a wonderful glimpse of hope.
For now, we simply live the life that He’s called us to and be a witness to those around us of His love, healing, and forgiveness that is beyond measure. We follow Him, and we speak His name.

“You are stronger, you are stronger. Sin is broken, you have saved us. It is written, Christ is risen. Jesus, YOU are Lord of ALL.”