Reginald Heber was born in 1783 into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at age 17. Many of his songs were as pure and graceful devotional poetry, always true and reverent. The finest of them is that majestic anthem: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
Every time I sing this hymn, I find myself worshiping my Abba Father for His holiness, His purity and His ability to make us holy. This song gives me great joy because it reminds me of how God took a 29-year-old alcohol and drug abuser, me, and instantly delivered me and made me holy.
How did He do that? I found myself asking. I was so very “unholy” and of course extremely unworthy! “Come now, LET US SETTLE THE MATTER,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) I soon learned that nothing is too hard for the Lord!
When I look back over these past 40 plus years ago, seeing how much worse “un-holiness” has become, it makes me wonder should we make this song “Holy, Holy, Holy” our national anthem? Of course, that would not be acceptable, so what do we do? We shine!!!
“YOU are THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)