Can You Hear Them Now?

Perfect submission perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy whispers of love

Blessed Assurance 1873
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this classic text and hymn, think about what it will mean to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s think about this.

Special Delivery

Who? Where? and What?

Those are the three questions answered in the last part of the stanza. We will examine the first two here and the last one below. First, let us consider Who?

Angels, that’s who. There are many references to these messengers of God throughout the Scripture, but not many in the songs we sing. I imagine that is because they are a bit mysterious. The descriptions of them, their appearances, and their activity evoke a degree of awe.

On this occasion they are simply mentioned and attributed with a task. That task is straight-forward and consistent with what they are often doing in the Bible, serving as messengers for God. In this stanza the writer says they are bringing “echoes of mercy and whispers of love”. Both seem word-based, that is echoes and whispers, the kids of things we night imagine a messenger would deliver. Messages. We will look at this more below.

What of their origin, these “echoes” and “whispers”? The writer simply offers “above”. We associate heaven with the skies above because that is at least one definition of the word itself, which resonates with us as God’s dwelling since the Scripture often describes God as being over all.

Accordingly, our eyes trail up in an effort to catch a glimpse of their journey down to us. That is reasonable and fair, but is also limited by our understanding, which God is not. All that to say, we should remain aware that God has angelic servants that do His bidding, and some of that bidding is to help us in our pursuit of Him and His will.

Angels descending bring from above

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 ESV

After rejoicing over our repentance, God’s angels are then commanded to descend and first of all help us by guarding our way. I wonder how many times I might have fallen if it had not been for the lifting work of the God’s angels in my life? They descend to bear us up. Hallelujah!

Angels descend bringing things from the Father to us. What an incredible and powerful truth! God sends His messengers to us to bring us what we need. This becomes our story and our song when we determine to praise our Savior. Look up. Help is on the way!

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider this incredible truth, God is sending you help through His angels. Sometimes we feel like we are alone, but that is never true. Pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, thank You for sending me the help of our angelic servants.” Then trust Him and them to do their work.

Ears to Hear

Again, let’s remember our context. Perfect submission, perfect delight. That is the scenario described in the opening line of this stanza.

What unfolds from there is a remarkable sight, and sound. It engages at least the eyes and ears. The writer speaks of visions that evoke joy, including seeing angels descending bringing…

Echoes of mercy whispers of love

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9 ESV

And here is that lifting work again, a demonstration of His love and mercy toward us. The angelic presence which saves us, walking along with us in our afflictions. It certainly makes it easier to sing the praises of Jesus when you know His presence during your affliction.

What may bring that affliction? Sometimes choices that do not honor God, that are not in line with His will. But sometimes the Lord even allows affliction when we are on His path. Why would He do that? To help us trust Him even when things are difficult which is and imperative for a life of faith.

And things do get very difficult sometimes. But when they do we can be confident that God is with us sending us all the help we need for our situation. How can we be confident of this? Two words.

Mercy and love. Who would not welcome more of those into their lives? What a beautiful description of the things God sends to us by way of His angelic messengers. What kind of echoes do you need to hear today? Ask the Spirit to open your ears to hear.

RESONATE!
It is so important to listen for what God is saying to us. Life can get so noisy it is hard to hear God and the messages He is sending. Try to get quiet for some time today and just listen for those whispers. Pray simply, “Spirit, open my ears to hear those echoes.” 

Father thank You for Your visions, echoes and whispers. They bring me joy like nothing else. Help me to look and listen for them everyday, but especially when things are rough. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Image Attribution
Angels descending bring from above – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529665606159169668/
Echoes of mercy whispers of love – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ear-listen-hearing-listening-4920994/