Too Familiar

Have you ever heard or read something so much in essence , it loses its meaning? It comes from being so over exposed that we forget to actually look at what the words are really saying. They roll off the tongue or into the ears and the meaning has a disconnect to the brain . The depth of what they are really saying is lost because of over exposure or they have been removed from their context.

The two that in the Christian world have become victims of there over use are Psalm 23 and the great hymn from John Newton , Amazing Grace. They have been used at more funerals than any others by people who really have no connection to the faith . They are sung over those being buried who never entered a church , read the Bible and gave no evidence of faith. But they are read and sung to comfort. Plus on TV and the movies they seemed to be the safe ones .  Amazing Grace was played at Spock's funeral in Star Trek 3 weird or what .  They have been reduced to almost a comfort mantra . But should they comfort?

Psalm 23 starts off acknowledging that the Lord is your shepherd . That He is the one leading you through life . A shepherd is one who guards his sheep . He leads with his rod and staff . To protect and correct or discipline. There is an intimacy involved with the sheep in that they know his voice and trust him to lead them . Jesus used the title of shepherd ."I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me," John 10:14 . He went on to say the as the Shepherd he was going to lay down his life for his sheep. His sheep , not the masses , not the unbelievers . People read this Psalm without understanding that if Jesus Christ is not the shepherd of your soul daily , your Lord  , your Saviour this Psalm is not a comfort at all for when it mentions enemies , that is a description of those who are against God's holy one. If you have not repented , acknowledged you sinfulness and trusted in the shepherd who laid down his life , then you sit under this curse in this Psalm , not its blessings .

The same with Amazing grace .  I would bet  this song is sung at more funerals than any other hymn for those who never darkened the doors of a church, never daily read God's word the bible and probably used Jesus as a curse word than crying out for His saving grace. The story of John Newton is an amazing one . Slave trader turned Christian Pastor . His story is one of grace , God's unmerited favor to call him to repentance . This hymn is a song of a soul  who knew his standing before a holy God . 


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.


Have you ever heard , your a wretched sinner in need of God's grace . That  apart from Jesus Christ and His perfect life,death on the cross and resurrection your are a child of wrath. 


’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!


God loves you is what we hear over and over . Who hasn't sung this hymn with those words , fear and it never computes . Why should I fear God . I'm not that bad . But the first work of grace is fear , for an unholy man before a holy God is a frightening thing. But it is also good news for God calls , repent , believe in my holy one , Jesus , and have you fear removed and become a child of God . 


In closing , realize that these two great  and well used words , one from God's word and one from a great repentant sinner , can still have deep meaning and minister to our souls . Just remind those who sing or read this words on a plaque hanging on a wall , they are not comforts for the soul still in rebellion against Jesus Christ. Use them to witness and recapture the beauty of these standards.