Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. . .

Almost every time we conclude a chapel service at the nursing facilities to which we go, we will end the service with the song,  Amazing Grace.  Each time there will be someone there who rarely speaks, but will sing the words of this old and familiar hymn.

One day, as we were singing it, I began to think about that first phrase.  "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound."  

I began to wonder, what does grace sound like?  

It sounds like a heart and mind full of the peace of God, which passes all understanding.  It sounds like a still, small voice leading the way.  It sounds like a song in the darkest of night when we find ourselves "troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;" (2 Corinthians 4:8.)

What does grace look like? 

It looks like a blind man receiving his sight, a lame man walking down the street, a damsel brought back to life.  It looks like a God who is "gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145:8)  It looks like a God who "is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works." (Psalms 145:9)

What does grace feel like?  

It feels like a sinner set free.  It feels like the burden and guilt of sin removed and a robe of righteousness being draped around.  It feels like One who is annointed "with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." (Hebrews 1:9.)

What does grace smell like?

It smells like sinners clothes as "filthy rags" who have been washed "whiter than snow" and made "unto God a sweet savour of Christ" (2 Cor. 2:15.)  

It smells like the One "who gave Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5:2.)

Amazing Grace

by John Newton

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 hath 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. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
   And mortal life shall cease,
   I shall possess, within the veil,
   A life of joy and peace.
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
   The sun forbear to shine;
   But God, who called me here below,
   Will be forever mine.
7. 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.