Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. (1)
Fanny Crosby wrote this hymn, Rescue The Perishing, following a personal experience at the New York City Bowery Mission. Even though she was a famous Gospel songwriter, she went to the mission regularly to care for the men living there.
She was blind before she was 6 weeks old. Her father died when she was 3. She overcame tremendous difficulty, but never forgot that others lived in hardship. She dedicated the last 25 years of her life to working in Gospel Rescue Missions. When she died in 1915, she left money in her will to establish a home for homeless men.
Her music was about Jesus’ love for the poor and mercy for the sinner. Her life reflected her faith in who Jesus was and how Jesus called us to live.
In contrast to her life …. many churches, pastors, and Christians …. seek to live a victorious life, which they believe can only be found in worldly success and excess.
Joel O’Steen’s book, Your Best Life Now, which unfortunately remains a best seller, preaches a prosperity gospel, which claims that God promises prosperity to Christians. The gospel he preaches is in sharp contrast to the one Fanny Crosby lived and Jesus taught.
Oswald Chambers wrote:
It is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. It is in the sphere of humiliation that our faithfulness is revealed. God wants us at the drab commonplace pitch. (2)
While the Majesty of God is revealed in the marvels of creation, the Glory of God is revealed at the cross.
Where are you living out your faith?
Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to give up your life!” (3)
Jesus practiced what He preached.
He wishes the same for you and me.
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Refrain of the hymn Rescue The Perishing, by Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915. Music by William Doane.
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Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986).
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John 15:13
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 