The Word is near

Usually I attend the Keswick Convention during July. For a week or two I enjoy the beautiful Lake District scenery and listen to great preachers teaching from the Bible.  There are also excellent seminars on a range of interesting and relevant subjects. It is nice to be ministered to for a while.

Like most events, the Keswick Convention 2020 was cancelled. Fearful of the lakes being busy with people just released from lockdown, we cancelled our cottage booking and had some time off at home.

Because the Keswick Convention has been going for so long (since 1875), there is a wealth of material from past events that can be dipped into via books, cds, DVD,s and also on line. During the time we would have been at Keswick I listened to some of the CDs from previous years while I was driving. Since the 1950's each year's Keswick sermons have been complied into a printed annual. I spent some time dipping into the talks from Keswick 1964!

Although I couldn't attend the Convention, I was blessed by God from what I was able to enjoy.

A particular hymn/song came into my mind. It was one that was used very frequently at one year's Convention ( I think it was 2010, when Don Carson was the main speaker). It seems to me to sum up the Bible teaching which is at the heart of Keswick. The words speak of God's word as something available to us all - we can read and grow through the Holy Spirit bringing the words alive.

I hope that the words (and music) may be a blessing to you too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGes6DpWz6U

1 Jesus, restore to us again
the gospel of Your holy name,
that comes with power, not words alone,
owned, signed and sealed from Heaven's throne.
Spirit and word in one agreed;
the promise to the power wed.

The word is near,
here in our mouths and in our hearts,
the word of faith —
proclaim it on the Spirit's breath:
Jesus!

2 Your word, O Lord, eternal stands,
fixed and unchanging in the heavens.
The Word made flesh to earth come down
to heal our world with nail-pierced hands.
Among us here You lived and breathed,
You are the message we received.
Chorus

3 Spirit of truth, lead us, we pray,
into all truth as we obey,
and as God's will we gladly choose,
Your ancient power again will prove
Christ's teaching truly comes from God —
He is indeed the living Word.
Chorus

4 Upon the heights of this dark land
with Moses and Elijah stand:
reveal Your glory once again,
show us Your face, declare Your name —
prophets and laws in You complete
where promises and power meet.
Chorus

5 Grant us in this decisive hour
to know the Scriptures and the power;
the knowledge in experience prove,
the power that moves and works by love.
May word and work join hands as one,
the word go forth, the Spirit come.
Chorus (Repeat)

Graham Kendrick (born 1950)
© 1992 Make Way Music

Comments

Popular Posts