Doctrine in Hymns

The Playhouse


  It began as a hum and then as I continued getting ready for church, the words began forming in my mind:  "I am so happy in Christ today, That I go singing along my way.  Yes, I'm so happy to know and say, 'Jesus included me too.'"
  I smiled to myself as I found it hard to believe that the old hymn made its appearance again after learning it decades ago.  It dated back to my childhood years at Philadelphia Baptist Church on the second pew on the left side.  Seating toward the front of churches is rarely a sought-after section, but I knew that special place was our family's spot.  Thank you, Daddy and Mother for taking me to that place every Sunday where I learned the joy of being included.
  One of my favorite hymns as a child was:  "I Am Resolved."  The verses flowed freely, but Mr. Buck, our church song leader, would make a slow song move faster and a fast song wear roller skates.  I loved that!
  The chorus was even better than the verse because the bass singers chimed in deep unison, "hasten so glad and free-e."  I would realize later to Whom I would hasten, but I still learned the words and in later years appreciated the true meaning. Thank you, Mr. Buck, for causing my foot to pat in rhythm to a song that pointed me to the worthiest of resolves.
  Christmas carols were a large part of December for me.  I always thought most of them were written for voices with opera ranges, but I still sang them with gusto.  "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity" wasn't a clear picture of what the birth of the Christ-child meant, but my young mind still logged it away for the time I would understand and be amazed.  Thank you, carol writers, for adding Christmas music to our hymnals.
  One teenage summer I wrestled with a long illness and spent a lot of time confined to the couch or bed.  I will always remember the early morning when I woke with the song, "There Is A Balm In Gilead," playing in my mind.  "There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole" brought supernatural strength to my physical and mental condition.  Thank you, Daddy, for seeing that I learned hymns that held medicinal value for mind and body.
  There were so many nights after leaving Mother in the nursing home that I cried out to God for a remedy for her situation.  Some nights I couldn't pray, but I could sing, "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him; how I've proved Him o'er and o'er."  Thank you, Mother and Daddy, for bringing me up in an environment that schooled me in doctrine put to music.
  "To God be the glory, great things He hath done!" " I once was lost but now am found!"