A Strange Place for Honey

The lion that on Sampson roared,

And thirsted for his blood;

With honey afterwards was stored,

And furnished him with food.

 

Believers, as they pace along,

With many lions meet;

But gather sweetness from the strong,

And from the eater, meat.

 

The lions rage and roar in vain,

For Jesus is their shield;

Their losses prove a certain gain,

Their troubles comfort yield.

 

The world and Satan join their strength,

To fill their souls with fears;

But crops of joy they reap at length,

From what they sow in tears.

 

Afflictions make them love the word,

Stir up their hearts to prayer;

And many precious proofs afford,

Of their Redeemer’s care.

 

The lions roar but cannot kill,

Then fear them not, my friends,

They bring us, though against their will,

The honey JESUS sends.

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This is one of my favorite hymns that Newton has written.  Through a lifetime of hardships and disappointments Newton understood this hymn by experience.  Certainly he was living in a time of “honey” when he wrote this.  But he knew full well the experience of lions roaring and “Satan and the world” attempting to fill his soul with fear. 

It is not only experience that caused Newton to write this.  It is also the fact that the truth in this hymn is the testimony of Scripture and countless saints through the ages.  The enemies of God bring to us “though against their will, the honey Jesus sends”. 

How remarkable is the grace and sovereignty of God that He can, and does, use even enemies of the gospel and even Satan himself to richly bless us with the sweetness of Christ.  So, no matter your situation today know that the Lord can gather “from the eater, meat”. 

We Will Never Lack Until He Is Poor

My soul once had its plenteous years,

And throve, with peace and comfort filled,

Like the fat kine and ripened ears,

Which Pharaoh in his dream beheld.

 

With pleasing frames and grace received,

With means and ordinances fed;

How happy for a while I lived,

And little feared the want of bread.

 

But famine came and left no sign,

Of all the plenty I had seen;

Like the dry ears and half–starved kine,

I then looked withered, faint and lean.

 

To Joseph the Egyptians went,

To Jesus I made known my case;

He, when my little stock was spent,

Opened his magazine of grace.

 

For he the time of dearth foresaw,

And made provision long before;

That famished souls, like me, might draw

Supplies from his unbounded store.

 

Now on his bounty I depend,

And live from fear of dearth secure,

Maintained by such a mighty friend,

I cannot want till he is poor.

 

O sinners hear his gracious call!

His mercy’s door stands open wide,

He has enough to feed you all,

And none who come shall be denied.

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I wonder when Newton’s “plenteous years” were.  I doubt this is pre-conversion.  More than likely these “plenteous years” are when he was first saved, but over time his affections start to wane and it becomes more difficult to trust in Christ. 

Once again Newton’s identity is found in Jesus.  Notice the wonderful statement in stanza 6, “I cannot want till he is poor”.  Obviously, Jesus is never poor so Newton will always have an “unbounded store” from which to draw refreshment for his “famished soul”. 

We also see here a glimpse of Newton’s trust in the sovereignty of God.  For Newton the omniscience of God is a wonderful thing.  To know that Christ knew our hour of need and provided grace before the foundation of the world is both humbling and exhilarating. 

Because of the richness of his provision and the graciousness of his call Newton extends the door of mercy to all that they may come and feast on the fullness of Christ.  May we remember today that nothing but Jesus satisfies, and Christ in turn, fully satisfies. 

The Secret to Newton’s Boldness in Prayer

Nay, I cannot let Thee go,
Till a blessing thou bestow;
Do not turn away thy face,
Mine’s an urgent pressing case.
 
Dost thou ask me, who I am?
Ah, my LORD, thou know’st my name!
Yet the question gives a plea,
To support my suit with thee.
 
Thou didst once a wretch behold,
In rebellion blindly bold;
Scorn thy grace, thy pow’r defy,
That poor rebel, Lord, was I.
 
Once a sinner near despair,
Sought thy mercy–seat by prayer;
Mercy heard and set him free,
Lord, that mercy came to me,
 
Many years have passed since then,
Many changes I have seen;
Yet have been upheld till now,
Who could hold me up but thou?
 
Thou hast helped in every need,
This emboldens me to plead;
After so much mercy past,
Canst thou let me sink at last?
 
No—I must maintain my hold,
’Tis thy goodness makes me bold;
I can no denial take,
When I plead for Jesu’s sake.
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Two days ago we looked at the difference between Cowper and Newton.  This hymn is a clue to understanding Newton’s boldness in prayer. 

How is it that Newton is so bold in prayer? 

First, he realizes that God knows His name (stanza 2).  Rather than this awakening dread, this is a great comfort to him.  To be known by God means that you have an ear with God in prayer. 

Secondly, Newton has experienced mercy and healing (3-4).  In a very real sense Newton was set free.  His experience of present mercy causes him to be bold. 

Thirdly, his history with the Lord has encouraged him to continue pleading with God in prayer (5-6).  God has never let him sink, why should he now?  So, Newton, though in great need still clings to the Lord for blessing. 

Lastly, Newton understands that when he pleads “for Jesus’ sake” (7), he cannot be refused.  It is the goodness of God, through the Lord Jesus, that creates in Newton such boldness.  This is why he could say in hymn 4, “Great as he is, I dare be free”. 

If you are in Christ, this same boldness in prayer is afforded to us.  All of these things that are true of Newton are true of every believer.  May we make these truths experientially evident today.