Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

John Newton (1725-1807)

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.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

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.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

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.

How many times have we sung this song?  I have sung it a lot, it is one of my favorites.  But as with most old hymns, I usually know the 1st or 2nd verse and the last verse.  The ones in the middle don't get sung as much I guess. 
The other day in the car, I was listening to the reworked version but cannot for the life of me remember who it was.  Anyway, the 4th verse stood out to me.  Honestly, it was like I had never heard it before. 
     "The Lord has promised good to me".  Really?  I mean, I know that I guess.  I have heard it, read it but have not been comforted by it in a long time. 
     "His word my hope secures".  Without hope, I cannot get through this life.  Because this earth is so full of hopelessness and despair.  But through His word, there is hope.  What an amazing thing that is.
     "He will my shield and portion be" - Boy do I feel often that I just want to curl up in His arms and have Him protect me and fill me.
     "As long as life endures" - Wow.  His love, his peace, His presence are neverending in our lives.  Yes, I walk away from Him, I forget to talk to Him, to read His letters to me, to meditate on Him.  But does He do that to us?  No.  He is there always, always ready to fill our cup, to be what we need.  Forever.  As long as we are on this hard difficult earth.  He will be there. 
I think this is my new favorite verse.