Monday, 11^th November, 2024

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11: 35-40, Psalm 125:1

Memory Verse: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

The hymn, “My Faith Has Found A Resting Place” was written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, though she often used the pen name Lidie H. Edmunds. While there’s no confirmed story directly tied to composing the hymn, some insights can help us understand its message:

Life as an Invalid:  Hewitt was a public school teacher who suffered a spinal injury, likely from a student accident. This forced her to retire and live a restricted life.

Focus on Faith: Despite physical limitations, Hewitt remained active in church, teaching Sunday school and working with children. This period of restricted mobility may have fueled her focus on finding spiritual peace and assurance of salvation.

The Hymn’s Message: The lyrics express a deep trust in God’s grace through Jesus’ sacrifice.  Lines like “It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me” reflect a simple faith that finds rest in God’s love, not needing any other justification.

LESSONS FROM THE HYMN

1. Life happens! When life happens, do not stay grounded and hopeless. You too, ‘happen to life’. When life throws a mess at you, turn it into a message. All things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

2. Imagine a person suffering from spinal cord injury who was perhaps on a wheel chair still teaching Sunday school at the children’s church? For you, the last time your Pastor corrected you was the last time you stepped into the church. That shows how much of the love of Jesus that is in your heart. Who shall separate you from the love of the Father? (Romans 8:35).

3. God uses solitary (quiet) moments in our lives to do a deep work within our soul, and to herald an eternal message to a generation. Many of Paul’s epistles were written when he was in prison. Moses received the ten commandments when he was alone with God for 40 days. John the beloved wrote the book of Revelation when banished to the Island of Patmos. Mrs Hewitt wrote the hymn, “My soul has found a resting place” that has blessed many generations when her movement was restricted. Friend, learn to be still, learn to sit down in this busy world if you must make an enduring impact. When last did you have a serious quiet time (not because you want to preach)? 

4. Learn to document the insights and revelation God gives you.

Quote:  Until your faith and convictions are challenged, you still don’t know who you are.

Prophetic Decree:  May nothing in earth or in heaven separate you from the love of Jesus. 

Prayer Focus

1. Final Authority over my life, I worship You. 

2. Nothing shall take me from Jesus. No height. No depth. No pain. No man. No situation. In Jesus name.

3. May my faith remain intact and unshaken until the appearing of my Master, in Jesus name. 

4. Healing stripes of Jesus, flow within me, in Jesus name. 

5. Should God heal me of my ailments, He is God. Should He decide not to heal me, He will remain my Lord.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  John 14-17

HYMNAL:   MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE

1. My faith has found a resting place,

from guilt my soul is freed;

I trust the ever-living One,

his wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

it is enough that Jesus died,

and that he died for me.

2. Enough for me that Jesus saves,

this ends my fear and doubt;

a sinful soul, I come to him,

he’ll never cast me out. 

[Refrain]

3. My heart is leaning on the Word,

the written Word of God,

salvation by my Savior’s name,

salvation thro’ his blood. 

[Refrain]

4. My great Physician heals the sick,

the lost he came to save;

for me his precious blood he shed,

for me his life he gave. 

[Refrain]