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This is hymn 11 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 11: I’VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS

1. l’ve found a friend in Jesus,
He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fullywhole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me every care on Him to roll:
(Halleluyah)

Chorus:

He’s the Lily of the Valley,
the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

2. He all my griefs has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;
I’ve all for Him forsaken, and allmy idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal:
(Halleluyah)

3. He’ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll:
(Halleluyah)

I’VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, the hymn before us today, “I’ve Found a Friend in Jesus,” speaks to the deepest longing of the human heart—the longing for true, faithful, and enduring companionship. It moves the glorious truths of Christ’s Lordship and sacrifice into the intimate sphere of personal relationship. This hymn is the joyful discovery that the King of Kings is also the Friend of sinners, a companion closer than a brother, and a treasure that satisfies the soul completely.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to celebrate the relational heart of the Gospel. It strengthens us against loneliness, betrayal, and fear by reminding us that we have been invited into an everlasting friendship with the Son of God. It is a song of personal testimony, comfort, and triumphant security.

1. It is a Hymn of Personal Discovery and Complete Sufficiency (Verse 1)
The opening line is a testimony of joyful encounter: “I’ve found a friend in Jesus.” This is not a doctrine inherited, but a relationship entered. He is not just a friend, but “everything to me.” The verse uses beautiful biblical imagery to describe His surpassing worth: He is the “fairest of ten thousand” (Song of Solomon 5:10) and the “Lily of the valley,” symbolizing purity, beauty, and fragrance. In Him alone, we find the double cure: He cleanses us from sin and makes us fully whole. He is a friend who invites us to transfer every burden: “He tells me every care on Him to roll” (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7).

2. It is a Hymn of Substitution and Sustaining Power (Verse 2)
This friendship is rooted in His sacrificial action. He is not a passive sympathizer; He is a sin-bearing substitute: “He all my griefs has taken, and all my sorrows borne” (Isaiah 53:4). He is also our defender: “in temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower” (Proverbs 18:10). This friendship demands and enables a whole-hearted response: “I’ve all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn.”The relationship is reciprocal—we forsake all to cling to Him, and He, in turn, “keeps me by His power.” Even when utterly alone or fiercely tempted, this Friend ensures our safe arrival: “Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.”

3. It is a Hymn of Unbreakable Promise and Future Glory (Verse 3)
The hymn grounds our present security in God’s faithful promise: “He’ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here” (Hebrews 13:5). Our part is to “live by faith and do His blessed will,” and His part is to be our protection and provision. He is a “wall of fire” around us (Zechariah 2:5) and the provider of “manna” for our daily spiritual hunger. This faithful friendship has a glorious destination: it sweeps us up “to glory to see His blessed face,” where we will enjoy eternal “rivers of delight” in His presence (Psalm 36:8). The earthly friendship blossoms into the eternal fellowship of heaven.

The Chorus: The Heart’s Adoring Refrain
The chorus is a threefold declaration of His supreme beauty and our soul’s satisfaction. He is the tender “Lily of the Valley,” the guiding “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16), and the incomparable “fairest of ten thousand.” To sing this is to declare that no earthly attraction can rival the beauty of our Friend and Savior.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Have you felt the sting of loneliness, the pain of betrayal, or the weight of carrying your cares alone? This hymn is your invitation. You are not without a friend. Jesus offers you a friendship that took your griefs, bears your burdens, and promises His permanent presence.

Roll your cares onto Him today. Speak to Him as your closest confidant. Find in Him your comfort, your strength, and your cleansing. Let the idols of self-reliance, people-pleasing, or worldly comfort be torn from your heart to make room for Him alone.

Rejoice! You have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, a Friend who loved you to the death, a Friend who will walk with you through this life and welcome you with joy into the next. Hallelujah!

In the precious name of Jesus, our faithful Friend and Savior, Amen.

This is hymn 9 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 09: IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE

1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious,
Thy great name we praise.

2.Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting,
Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3.To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.

4.Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.

IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, today’s hymn, “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” invites us into a unique and vital form of worship: the adoration of God for who He is in His transcendent essence. Unlike hymns that focus on our experience of salvation, this one lifts our gaze to the eternal, self-existent, and majestic nature of God Himself. It is a hymn that fills us with awe, corrects our hurried perspective, and grounds our trust in His unchanging character.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to expand our vision of God beyond our immediate needs and feelings. It is a spiritual discipline that reminds us we worship a Being of infinite majesty, whose ways are higher than our ways, and whose nature is the bedrock of all His promises. It cultivates holy reverence and deep, soul-quieting trust.

1. It is a Hymn of Divine Transcendence (Verse 1)
The opening lines confront us with the fundamental otherness of God. He is “Immortal” (without beginning or end), “Invisible” (spirit, not bound by form), and “God only wise” (the sole fountain of all true wisdom). He dwells in “light inaccessible”—a glory so pure and overwhelming that mortal eyes cannot behold it (1 Timothy 6:16). He is the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9), eternal and sovereign. Our only fitting response to this overwhelming reality is to ascribe praise to His great name. We worship not just for what He does, but for who He is.

2. It is a Hymn of Sovereign Providence and Perfect Character (Verse 2)
This verse masterfully contrasts God’s ways with our own. He is “Unresting” in His vigilance, yet “unhasting”—never anxious, never late, working with perfect, patient sovereignty. He is “silent as light” in His often quiet, pervasive work. He lacks nothing (“nor wanting”) and wastes nothing (“nor wasting”), ruling with flawless efficiency. His justice is as immovable and lofty as mountains, yet from Him flow ceaseless “fountains of goodness and love.” His might is perfectly balanced with His mercy.

3. It is a Hymn of Our Frailty and His Constancy (Verse 3)
Here, the hymn places our fleeting lives in stark contrast to God’s eternal nature. He is the source of “all life,” and the “true life of all.” Our existence is likened to leaves on a tree: we “blossom and flourish” for a season, then “wither and perish.” This is not morbid, but humbling and clarifying. The glorious, comforting truth is this: “but nought changeth Thee.” Our hope is not in our own durability, but in His glorious immutability (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

4. It is a Hymn of Veiled Splendor and Our Human Limitation (Verse 4)
The final verse resolves the tension of God’s invisibility. Even the angels, in their adoration, “all veiling their sight”—they cover themselves before His overwhelming holiness (Isaiah 6:2). Our own desire to “render” all praise is met with a humble prayer: “O help us to see: ‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.” God is not absent; He is so blindingly glorious that His very radiance is what conceals Him from our finite senses. We see Him by faith, through the revelation of His Word and His Son.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you anxious, hurried, or feeling the pressure of time? Meditate on the God who is “unresting, unhasting.” His plans for you are unfolding in perfect, sovereign time.
Are you feeling weak, temporary, or insecure in a changing world? Anchor your soul to the One of whom “nought changeth Thee.”
Do you feel distant from God, as if He is hidden? Remember, He is hidden not in darkness, but in “inaccessible light.” Approach Him with the reverence of the angels, and ask Him, as the hymn does, for the spiritual sight to perceive His sovereign goodness behind the veil of His splendor.

This hymn calls us to a worship that is less about asking and more about admiring. It is good for our souls to be still and know that He is God—immortal, invisible, and only wise.

To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.(1 Timothy 1:17)

This is hymn 10 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 10: IN CHRIST ALONE

1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

2. In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

IN CHRIST ALONE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, we have the profound privilege today of reflecting on what has become a modern creed set to music—”In Christ Alone.” This hymn is a comprehensive, triumphant, and deeply theological declaration of the believer’s entire hope and security. It walks us through the cradle, the cross, the empty tomb, and the ultimate consummation, leaving us on the unshakeable ground of Christ’s finished work. This is not merely a song to be sung; it is a fortress to be lived in.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to confess the totality of our dependence on Jesus Christ. It is a proclamation of faith that anchors our soul in the historical events of the Gospel, defends us against fear, and proclaims our absolute security in the face of life, death, and eternity.

1. It is a Hymn of Exclusive Hope and Present Refuge (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a bold, exclusive claim: “In Christ alone my hope is found.” In a world of shifting foundations, He is our “Cornerstone, this solid ground.” This verse captures the present experience of the believer: He is our Light in darkness, our Strength in weakness, our Song in sorrow. In Him, we find a love so high and a peace so deep that it has the power to still our fears and cease our strivings. We stand not in our own merit, but “here in the love of Christ.”

2. It is a Hymn of Atoning Sacrifice and Substitutionary Death (Verse 2)
Here, the hymn fearlessly proclaims the heart of the Gospel. It moves from the wonder of the Incarnation (“Fullness of God in helpless Babe”) to the scandal of the cross. It makes the vital, non-negotiable declaration: “as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied.” This is the doctrine of propitiation—Christ bore the full weight of God’s righteous wrath against our sin, so that it might be turned away from us. “For every sin on Him was laid” (Isaiah 53:6). Our only boast is this: “Here in the death of Christ I live.”

3. It is a Hymn of Resurrection Victory and Transfer of Ownership (Verse 3)
The story does not end at the cross. The “Light of the world” was slain, but could not be held by darkness. His “bursting forth in glorious Day” is the pivot of history and the guarantee of our freedom. Because He stands in victory, “Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.” The resurrection secures our new identity: “For I am His and He is mine”—a relationship sealed not by our effort, but “Bought with the precious blood of Christ.”

4. It is a Hymn of Eternal Security and Victorious Destiny (Verse 4)
This final verse declares the unassailable confidence that flows from the previous three. It is a shout of victory over life’s greatest adversaries: “No guilt in life, no fear in death.” Why? Because of “the power of Christ in me.” From our first breath to our last, and for all eternity, “Jesus commands my destiny.” No enemy—hell, man, or circumstance—has the power to undo what Christ has done. Our security is not in our grip on Him, but in His sovereign grip on us (John 10:28-29). We stand, now and forever, “in the power of Christ.”

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you assailed by guilt? Stand in the death of Christ, where wrath was satisfied. Are you gripped by fear, whether of life’s trials or death’s shadow? Stand in the power of His resurrection. Are you feeling insecure, unstable, or afraid of being lost? Stand on the promise of His holding power.

This hymn is your confession. Let it be your prayer and your proclamation. Declare it when doubts arise. Sing it when fears assault. Whisper it when you feel weak. You stand on solid ground. Your hope is found in Christ alone—in His love, His death, His life, and His sovereign power. There is no safer place.

Stand firm, beloved. You are His.

In the all-sufficient name of Jesus Christ, our Cornerstone and Conqueror, Amen.

This is hymn 6 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 6: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAV’N

1. I am so glad that our Father in Heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2. Jesus loves me and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my lost soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree:
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me.

3. In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blessed;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

4. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

5. If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAV’N HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this simple, heartfelt hymn, “I Am So Glad That Our Father in Heav’n,” brings us to the very core of the Gospel and the deepest need of the human soul. It is a hymn of childlike wonder, profound assurance, and triumphant truth. It does not argue theological complexities, but sings with joyful certainty the one truth that changes everything: “Jesus loves me.” This is the bedrock upon which all faith, hope, and courage are built.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to return to the foundational, first love of our faith. It re-centers us on the personal, relational heart of Christianity, strengthening us against doubt and spiritual attack with the most powerful weapon we possess: the settled, scriptural truth of God’s love for us in Christ.

1. It is a Hymn of Divine Revelation and Personal Discovery (Verse 1)
Our gladness is rooted in a fact: “our Father in Heaven tells of His love in the Book He has given.”God is not silent or distant; He has spoken. And of all the “Wonderful things in the Bible I see,” the supreme, dearest truth is not a command or a prophecy, but a relationship: “that Jesus loves me.”This takes the vast love of God from the realm of theory and plants it personally in the heart of the believer. The Book’s grand story culminates in a personal embrace.

2. It is a Hymn of Redemptive Love and Sure Response (Verse 2)
This love is not sentimental; it is sacrificial, historical, and decisive. “Love brought Him down… Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree.” The cross is the ultimate proof and measure of His love (Romans 5:8). Our love for Him is not the cause, but the sure and grateful response to His prior, redeeming love for us. The verse moves from the objective fact of the cross to the subjective certainty: “Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me.”

3. It is a Hymn of Spiritual Warfare and Perfect Rest (Verse 3)
Here, we see the practical power of this truth. Assurance of Christ’s love is not just for comfort; it is for battle. In this assurance, we find “sweetest rest” and the blessing of being known and kept. The accuser, Satan, is “dismayed” and forced to flee when our defense is not our own goodness, but the simple, unassailable declaration: “Jesus loves me.” This truth breaks condemnation and secures our soul (Romans 8:33-39).

4. It is a Hymn of Eternal Anthem (Verse 4)
The hymn stretches our vision from our present struggles to our eternal destiny. It proclaims that this simple truth is so glorious, so foundational, that it will be the theme of heaven’s song. When we see the King in all His beauty, our stunned, worshipful exclamation for all eternity will be: “Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!” His love is the eternal marvel.

5. It is a Hymn of Spirit-Wrought Witness (Verse 5)
How can we be so sure of this intimate love? The final verse gives the divine answer: “God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree, Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.” Our assurance is not based on our fickle emotions, but on the inner, faithful testimony of the Spirit of God Himself, who bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16). This makes our gladness unshakeable.

The Refrain: The Heart’s Unchanging Melody
The refrain is the joyous, repetitive core of the Christian life. “I am so glad that Jesus loves me…” It is a statement of fact, a fountain of emotion, and a declaration of identity. To sing it is to preach to one’s own soul and to proclaim to the world the source of our unending joy.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you battling feelings of unworthiness, fear, or condemnation? Has your faith become complex and weary? Come back to this childlike song.

Open the Book and see His love. Look to the cross and be certain. Tell the accuser your defense: “Jesus loves me.” Let the Holy Spirit whisper this truth deep into your spirit until it becomes your rest, your strength, and your gladness.

Let this be your story today and your eternal song: you are loved by the King of Glory. Be glad. Sing it out. For Jesus loves you—this is the greatest wonder of all.

In the precious name of Jesus, who loves us and gave Himself for us, Amen.

This is hymn 5 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 5: BLESSED ASSURANCE

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

Chorus:

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight,
Angel descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

BLESSED ASSURANCE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, in a world of uncertainty and shifting sands, the soul of the believer rests upon a foundation that cannot be moved. This hymn, “Blessed Assurance,” is the triumphant, joyful declaration of that foundation. It is more than a statement of belief; it is the personal testimony of a life that has been utterly transformed by the grace of God and now lives in the settled peace of knowing to whom it belongs.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to celebrate the unshakeable certainty of our salvation, to proclaim our identity in Christ, and to give voice to the joyful life that flows from resting completely in His finished work. It is the song of a heart that has moved from hoping about God to knowing it is God’s.

1. It is a Hymn of Glorious Possession (Verse 1)
The hymn opens with the most profound truth a human soul can utter: “Jesus is mine.” This is not a distant theological concept, but a personal, possessive reality—the essence of salvation. This assurance brings a “foretaste of glory divine,” a present enjoyment of heaven’s joy. The verse then beautifully outlines the threefold work of the Trinity in our salvation: we are the “purchase of God”the Father, “born of His Spirit,” and “washed in His blood” by the Son. We are heirs, children, and the cleansed beloved.

2. It is a Hymn of Surrendered Delight (Verse 2)
True assurance does not lead to pride, but to a posture of “perfect submission.” This submission is not burdensome but the source of “perfect delight.” When we yield fully to Christ, our spiritual eyes are opened to “visions of rapture”—glimpses of heavenly reality. We become attuned to the spiritual realm, hearing the “echoes of mercy” and the “whispers of love” that God constantly speaks over His children. Assurance makes us sensitive to His gentle voice.

3. It is a Hymn of Restful Abiding (Verse 3)
Here we see the fruit of this assurance: deep, soul-satisfying peace. “All is at rest.” In our Savior, we find the end of striving, the end of anxiety about our standing before God. We are “happy and blessed,” not because of perfect circumstances, but because of a perfect position in Christ. Our posture becomes one of secure expectancy—“watching and waiting, looking above”—while being utterly satisfied and “lost in His love” here and now.

The Chorus: The Unending Refrain of a Redeemed Life
The chorus transforms our personal testimony into a lifelong vocation: “This is my story, this is my song.” Our very lives become a narrative of grace. And the appropriate, ceaseless response to this grace is praise. “Praising my Saviour all the day long” is the natural, joyful occupation of the assured heart—in good times and hard times, because the object of our praise (our Saviour) never changes.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Do you wrestle with doubts about your salvation? Do you feel you must earn God’s love through constant labor? This hymn calls you to rest. Look away from your own performance and look to Christ, your purchase, your cleanser, your inheritance.

If you have trusted in Jesus, this blessed assurance is your birthright. Embrace it. Say it aloud: “Jesus is mine.” Let that truth silence the accuser. Let it transform your submission from duty to delight. Let it bring your heart to rest.

Today, let your life tell this story. Let your heart sing this song. In every moment, in every task, let your inner chorus be praise to your Savior. For you are His, and He is yours—this is your blessed, eternal assurance.

In the name of Jesus, our assurance and our song, Amen.

This is hymn 4 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 4: BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE

1. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.

Refrain:

Rejoice, rejoice!
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!

2. Be joyful, for He is the Lord,
On earth and in heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His word;
The Mighty and strong to redeem

3. What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail,
God’s armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail. 

4. Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o’ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.

5. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
With harp, and with organ and voice
The loud hallelujahs prolong!

BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, the hymn before us today, “Be Glad in the Lord and Rejoice,” is not merely a suggestion—it is a divine command and a spiritual weapon. In a world that offers endless reasons for anxiety and sorrow, this hymn calls us to a joy that is rooted not in our circumstances, but in the unchanging character and supreme power of our God. It is a call to choose joy based on who He is.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to actively obey the scriptural command to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). It is an act of defiant faith that lifts our eyes from our problems to our King, transforming our perspective and fortifying our hearts for spiritual conflict.

1. It is a Hymn of Heartfelt Choice (Verse 1)
The call to “be glad” is directed to a specific group: “All ye that are upright in heart… ye that have made him your choice.” This joy is the birthright of those in covenant relationship with God. It is not a shallow, fleeting happiness, but the deep-seated gladness of a heart aligned with its Creator. The command to “bid sadness and sorrow depart” is an act of the will. It is the deliberate decision, by faith, to displace despair with praise because of our chosen allegiance to Christ.

2. It is a Hymn of Sovereign Foundation (Verse 2)
Our joy has an unshakeable foundation. We are not conjuring a feeling; we are responding to reality. “Be joyful, for He is the Lord, On earth and in heaven supreme.” He is the Creator who “fashions and rules by His word,” and the Redeemer who is “The Mighty and strong to redeem.” Our joy is anchored in His absolute sovereignty and His proven power to save. The One who commands the cosmos holds our lives.

3. It is a Hymn of Unseen Reinforcements (Verse 3)
This verse speaks directly to the battles we face. When the “conflict for right” seems overwhelming and enemies “almost prevail,” the hymn reveals a heavenly truth. “God’s armies, just hid from your sight, Are more than the foes which assail.” This echoes the story of Elisha’s servant, whose eyes were opened to see the mountain full of fiery chariots (2 Kings 6:17). Our rejoicing is an affirmation that the spiritual reality—God’s overwhelming strength—is greater than the visible circumstance.

4. It is a Hymn of Steadfast Trust (Verse 4)
Here, the hymn acknowledges seasons of profound darkness—when troubles cloud our “day” and our “night” seems without a dawn. In such times, the command is not to pretend the darkness isn’t there, but to “let nothing your spirit dismay.” The key is active, persistent trust “till the danger is past.” Our gladness in the Lord is the fuel for that endurance, a light that shines in the deepest gloom because its source is eternal.

5. It is a Hymn of Triumphant Proclamation (Verse 5)
The hymn culminates in a full-throated, musical explosion of praise. Having grounded our joy in God’s nature and promises, we are now to “prolong” the “loud hallelujahs” with every instrument and voice at our disposal. This is the victory shout of a people who have looked beyond the temporal to the eternal, and have found their God utterly worthy of ceaseless praise.

The Refrain: The Heart’s Persistent Echo
The simple, doubled “Rejoice, rejoice!” is more than a lyric; it is a spiritual mantra. It is the heart’s persistent echo of the command, a reminder to continually return to the posture of gladness in God, especially when the path grows steep.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Is your heart heavy? Has sorrow, conflict, or spiritual darkness sought to dampen your spirit? This hymn is your prescribed medicine. Do not wait for your feelings to lead you; let your faith lead your feelings.

Choose to be glad in the Lord. Command your soul to rejoice in His supreme lordship. Remember the unseen armies fighting on your behalf. In your darkness, trust His faithfulness. And then, in faith—even if it starts as a whisper—lift a “hallelujah.” Proclaim His praise with your voice, for in doing so, you declare the victory of light over darkness, of God’s might over every foe.

Your joy is your testimony. Rejoice in the Lord, for He is worthy, He is supreme, and He is your strength.

In the mighty and praiseworthy name of Jesus, Amen.

This is hymn 3 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 3: ANCIENT WORDS

1. Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

Chorus:

Ancient words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

2. Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

3. Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh, heed the faithful words of Christ

4. Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart

ANCIENT WORDS HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, in a world of constant change, shifting opinions, and fleeting trends, our souls crave an unchanging foundation. The hymn “Ancient Words” directs our hearts to the eternal, life-giving truth of God’s Word. This is not a song about a distant, historical document, but a celebration of the living, active, and enduring revelation of God Himself, preserved for us and entrusted to us for our journey today.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to reaffirm our trust in the Bible, to celebrate its divine origin and practical power, and to open our hearts afresh to its transforming truth. It is a declaration that in the ancient words of Scripture, we hear the present heart of God.

1. It is a Hymn of Divine Preservation and Present Relevance (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a profound truth: these are “Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world.” The Bible is not an accidental collection, but a sacred treasure intentionally guarded by God through centuries and millennia for our benefit here and now. These words do not merely contain information; they “resound with God’s own heart.” To read Scripture is to listen to the heartbeat of the Father. The prayerful cry, “Oh, let the ancient words impart,” is an invitation for the Holy Spirit to make those timeless truths living and active in us today (Hebrews 4:12).

2. It is a Hymn of Personal Transformation and Guidance (Chorus & Verse 2)
The chorus reveals the dynamic purpose of God’s Word: it is “ever true” and actively “changing me and changing you.” Scripture is not for information alone, but for transformation. It corrects, trains, and equips us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We approach it not with closed minds, but with “open hearts,”ready to be shaped. Verse 2 describes this Word as our practical sustenance: “Words of life, words of hope” that provide “strength” to endure and “help us cope.” In a world where we can feel spiritually homeless, these ancient words provide the only reliable map to guide us safely “home.”

3. It is a Hymn of Sacred Legacy and Sacrificial Cost (Verse 3)
This verse roots the Bible in the grand narrative of faith and redemption. These “Holy words of our faith” were “handed down to this age.” We are links in a mighty chain of believers who have cherished, copied, preached, and often died for this Book. They came “through sacrifice”—ultimately, the sacrifice of Christ, the Living Word, and often the sacrifice of martyrs who gave their lives to preserve it. Therefore, we are called to a posture of holy attention: “Oh, heed the faithful words of Christ.” To heed is to listen, obey, and treasure.

4. It is a Hymn of Continual Impartation (Verse 4)
The final verse is a purposeful repetition of the first, bringing us full circle. This repetition emphasizes the ongoing, daily necessity of God’s Word. Our need for it is perpetual—for every step of our “walk in this world.” It is a call to return again and again to this well that never runs dry.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you feeling uncertain, weary, or adrift in this world? Do you crave something solid and true amidst the noise? Open the ancient words. Let them impart life to your spirit.

Come to your Bible today not as a duty, but as a seeker with an open heart. Listen for God’s own heart resounding through the pages. Let the ancient promises strengthen you, the ancient commands guide you, and the ancient story of redemption remind you of your place in God’s faithful plan.

These words are your inheritance, your daily bread, and your light for the path ahead. Do not let them sit idle on a shelf. Heed them. Cherish them. Let them change you, and trust them to guide you all the way home.

In the name of Jesus, the Word made flesh, Amen.

This is hymn 2 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 2: AMAZING GRACE

1.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.

2.Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
“Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

3. The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

4. 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.

5. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

6. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

AMAZING GRACE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, we come now to what is perhaps the most universally known and deeply personal hymn of the Christian faith—”Amazing Grace.” More than a song, it is a testimony in melody, a theological anchor, and a journey of the soul from the pit of despair to the pinnacle of eternal hope. This hymn does not just speak about grace; it is the cry of a heart that has been utterly transformed by it.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to remember our origin, to testify of our rescue, and to anchor our future in the unchanging faithfulness of God. It is the story of every believer, a story where grace is the beginning, the middle, and the glorious end.

1. It is a Hymn of Personal Transformation (Verse 1)
The opening line is a burst of awe: “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound.” Grace is not a dry doctrine but a sweet, life-giving reality that reaches the ears of the perishing. The confession is starkly honest—”a wretch like me.” This acknowledges the depth of our sin and the boundless reach of God’s mercy. The transformation is absolute: lost to found, blind to see. This is the miracle of the new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17), the moment the light of Christ shatters our spiritual darkness. We sing this to never forget what we were, and more importantly, who saved us.

2. It is a Hymn of Sustaining Providence (Verse 2)
Grace is not only for the moment of salvation; it is for the journey. As we look back at the “dangers, toils and snares” we have navigated—the trials, temptations, and sorrows—we see the true cause of our perseverance. It is not our own strength, but grace that has “brought me safe thus far.” And with confident hope, we declare that the same grace “will lead me home.” Our past deliverance is the guarantee of our future safe arrival.

3. It is a Hymn of Covenant Assurance (Verse 3)
Grace secures us to the promises of God. Our hope is not a fragile wish but a secure anchor, bound to the immutable “Word” of God. He is our “Shield” in every battle and our “Portion” in every season of want (Psalm 73:26). For “as long as life endures,” which is to say, always, His covenant love is our inheritance.

4. It is a Hymn of Triumphant Hope Over Death (Verses 4 & 5)
The hymn confronts our greatest earthly fear—death—and transforms it into a gateway. “When this flesh and heart shall fail,” grace does not. We will pass “within the veil” into the very presence of God, to a “life of joy and peace.” Even the final dissolution of the cosmos itself (“the earth shall soon dissolve like snow”) cannot undo what grace has accomplished. The eternal God who called us “will be forever mine.” Our security is in His eternal nature, not our temporal circumstances.

5. It is a Hymn of Eternal Glory (Verse 6)
The final verse lifts our eyes to an eternity of worship. After “ten thousand years” of shining in His glory, we are just beginning. The breathtaking truth is this: “We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.” Grace not only saves us from hell; it ushers us into an infinite, ever-fresh, ever-new ocean of joyful adoration. The song that began with a rescued wretch ends with a glorified saint, singing forever.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you burdened by the memory of your past? Look back and see the amazing grace that found you. Are you weary in the present struggle? Look around and see the grace that sustains you. Are you fearful of the future or of death? Look ahead and see the grace that promises to lead you home and welcome you into unending joy.

Sing this hymn today as your own testimony. Let it humble you and fill you with unspeakable joy. You were a wretch, but you are now a child. You were lost, but you are now held securely in the grip of grace—yesterday, today, and for ten thousand years to come.

This is your story. This is our song. Praise the Lord for His amazing, all-sufficient grace.

In the name of Jesus, the fountain of all grace, Amen.