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This is hymn 35 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 35: ‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1. ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

4. I’m so glad I learn’d to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, in a world of shifting foundations and broken promises, the soul finds its one true refuge in a simple, profound act: trust. This hymn, “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” is a tender, personal testimony of the soul’s deepest discovery. It is not a hymn of thunderous triumph, but of quiet, personal assurance—the discovery that leaning wholly on Christ is the source of true sweetness, rest, and enduring gladness.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to celebrate the relational intimacy and soul-deep satisfaction found in placing our entire confidence in Christ. It is a song that combats anxiety, self-reliance, and doubt by focusing on the simple, proven faithfulness of Jesus. It encourages a childlike faith that finds profound peace in the promises of God.

1. It is a Hymn of Simple Faith and Proven Faithfulness (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a declaration of spiritual sweetness found in simplicity: “Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise; Just to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’” Trust is presented not as a complex theological feat, but as a simple, personal reliance on the reliability of Christ’s character and speech. The singer then breaks into a spontaneous, worshipful refrain: “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!” This trust is not blind; it is built on experiential proof: “How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!” The natural conclusion of such proof is a prayer for more: “O for grace to trust Him more!” Trust is both a gift of grace and a growing pursuit.

2. It is a Hymn of Cleansing and Complete Surrender (Verse 2)
Here, trust is directed toward the most fundamental need: cleansing. The sweetness is found not in trusting our own moral effort, but in trusting “His cleansing blood.” The imagery is vivid and total: “to plunge me ‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!” This is the trust that saves—a complete abandonment of self-justification and a total reliance on His atoning work. It is a once-for-all plunge into His grace that washes us whiter than snow.

3. It is a Hymn of Exchanged Life (Verse 3)
True trust leads to a blessed cessation. It is “sweet… Just from sin and self to cease.” Trust means stopping our own futile striving. In that place of surrender, we move from striving to receiving. We learn to simply take from Jesus what we cannot produce: “Life and rest, and joy and peace.” These are the fruits of trust, the gifts given to the soul that has ceased its own labors and leaned entirely on Him.

4. It is a Hymn of Learned Gladness and Enduring Companionship (Verse 4)
The final verse is a testimony of joyful education. “I’m so glad I learn’d to trust Thee.” Trust is a lesson learned in the school of life, and the result is gladness. This trust transforms our understanding of Christ: He is “Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend.” And this relational trust yields the ultimate security: “I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.” Trust in Jesus is not a one-time transaction; it is the foundation of a lifelong, and eternal, companionship (Hebrews 13:5).

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you striving today? Are you anxious, trying to solve problems in your own strength, or wrestling with guilt you cannot wash away? This hymn calls you to a sweet surrender.

Stop. Cease from sin and self. Take Him at His Word right now. Plunge anew into the truth of His cleansing blood. Choose to rest upon a specific promise from Scripture that speaks to your need.

Remember, you are not trusting an idea, but a Person—a proven, precious, faithful Friend. The more you prove Him, the sweeter the trust becomes. So, echo the prayer of this hymn today: “O for grace to trust Him more!” In that trusting, you will find the life, rest, joy, and peace your soul longs for.

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

This is hymn 31 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 31: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!

Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story,
Wonderful story of love!

2. Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!

3. Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!

WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, there is a story so profound, so beautiful, and so powerful that our souls can never hear it enough. This hymn, “Wonderful Story of Love,” is an anthem of fascination and invitation. It invites us to marvel at the greatest story ever told—the Gospel—and to respond to its call, whether we are hearing it for the first time or the thousandth. It is the story that angels marvel at and the only one that can truly give rest to the human soul.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to cultivate a heart of perpetual wonder at the Gospel, to keep the majestic truth of God’s love fresh in our minds, and to extend its universal call to every listening ear. It is a hymn of awe, evangelism, and eternal hope.

1. It is a Hymn of Insatiable Wonder and Urgent Invitation (Verse 1)
The hymn opens not with a statement, but with a plea: “Tell it to me again!” This reveals a heart that never tires of the core truth of the faith. It is the “immortal strain”—the eternal melody of redemption that never fades. The verse then captures the heavenly and earthly response to this story: “Angels with rapture announce it” (1 Peter 1:12) and “Shepherds with wonder receive it.”The greatest beings and the humblest alike are captivated. But the hymn does not linger on the past; it makes a direct, personal appeal to the present: “Sinner, O won’t you believe it?” The wonderful story demands a response.

2. It is a Hymn of Universal Call and Timeless Proclamation (Verse 2)
This verse powerfully declares that no one is beyond the reach of this love story. “Though you are far away… Still he doth call today.” The call is not confined to a moment in history; it echoes through time and space. It originates from the pivotal point of human history—“Calvary’s mountain”—where love was proved. It flows from the “crystal bright fountain” of grace and forgiveness opened by His sacrifice. Remarkably, it reaches back even “from the dawn of creation,”revealing that this plan of redeeming love was set in motion before the world began (Ephesians 1:4). It is a story that has always been and always will be.

3. It is a Hymn of Promised Rest and Eternal Chorus (Verse 3)
The wonderful story has a destination: “Jesus provides a rest.” This is the rest from the weariness of sin and striving, found only in Him (Matthew 11:28). It is a rest not just for the “pure and blest,”but for all made pure and blessed by His blood. This rest culminates in the “mansions above,” in the joyful reunion of the great cloud of witnesses, where we will join the unending, “rapturous chorus” of the redeemed. The story that begins with a call ends with a celestial song of praise.

The Refrain: The Heart’s Only Response
The exclamatory refrain—“Wonderful! Wonderful!”—is the only fitting reaction to such a story. It is a cascade of worship, a simple yet profound confession that the Gospel of love is the most wonderful reality in the universe.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Has the story become routine to you? Has the glorious truth of the Gospel lost its luster in the grind of daily life? This hymn is your antidote. Ask the Lord to tell it to you again. Wake up the immortal strain in your own heart. Let the Spirit rekindle your wonder at the love that called from Calvary to save you.

And if you are that one feeling “far away,” hear the call that still sounds today. It is calling for you. The fountain of grace is still flowing. Believe this wonderful story of love.

Let your life today be captivated by this story anew. And let your heart begin its rehearsal for the eternal chorus, singing with joy: Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful story of love!

In the name of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our wonderful story, Amen.

This is hymn 29 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 29: WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY

1. When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

(may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.

Refrain

3. My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

4. O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain

WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this profound hymn, “When Peace Like a River,” is more than a song—it is the testimony of a soul that has found an anchor deeper than any storm. Born from immense personal tragedy, it does not deny the reality of sorrow but declares a peace that triumphs over it. This hymn teaches us that the wellness of our soul is not determined by our circumstances, but by the finished work of Christ and the blessed hope of His return.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to proclaim a supernatural, sovereign peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7). It equips us to face life’s greatest trials and losses with a faith that can say, even through tears, “It is well with my soul.” It is a hymn of defiance against despair and a declaration of ultimate victory.

1. It is a Hymn of Contrast and Learned Contentment (Verse 1)
The opening paints two contrasting scenes: the serene “peace like a river” and the tumultuous “sorrows like sea billows.” Life holds both. The key is not in avoiding the storms, but in what we have been “taught” to say within them. The ability to declare “It is well with my soul” in “whatever my lot” is a learned response of faith. It signifies that the core of our being—our soul anchored in God—remains in a state of grace and security, regardless of the chaos that may surround it.

2. It is a Hymn of Blessed Assurance in Spiritual Attack (Verse 2)
When external trials come and the enemy buffets, our control is not mustered willpower, but a “blest assurance.” That assurance rests on two historical facts: that “Christ has regarded my helpless estate” (He saw my lost condition) and that He acted by shedding “his own blood for my soul.” The storm of Satan’s accusations is calmed by the blood of the cross. Our soul’s wellness is purchased, not earned.

3. It is a Hymn of Finished Transaction and Emancipated Joy (Verse 3)
This verse contains one of the most liberating declarations in all of hymnody. The “bliss” is found in a completed transaction: “my sin… not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.” The debt is canceled, the record is destroyed (Colossians 2:14). The soul’s wellness rests on this objective truth: sin’s power to condemn has been broken. Therefore, the command is logical and joyful: “praise the Lord, O my soul!” Praise is the natural outflow of a pardoned heart.

4. It is a Hymn of Blessed Hope and Eschatological Confidence (Verse 4)
The hymn lifts our gaze from our present trials, however deep, to the certain future. It longs for the day when “faith shall be sight,” when Christ returns and every wrong is made right. The promise of His second coming—the “trump” and the Lord’s descent—is the final guarantee that makes our present “wellness” unshakeable. Even in longing, even in suffering, the promise of that day allows us to say, “even so, it is well with my soul.” Our hope is not a wish, but a certainty.

The Refrain: The Soul’s Settled State
The repeated refrain, “It is well with my soul,” is not a denial of pain, but a confession of a deeper reality. It is the soul’s testimony of its standing in Christ—forgiven, sealed, and kept. To sing it is to preach to one’s own heart, affirming the peace of God that holds us fast.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you in a season of peaceful rivers or rolling billows? Has a trial, a loss, or a temptation made your soul feel anything but “well”?

This hymn invites you to look away from the storm and look to the cross. See your sin nailed there. See the blood shed for you. Let that blessed assurance be your control. Then, lift your eyes to the coming King. Let that sure hope steady your heart.

Your feelings may waver, but the wellness of your soul, secured by Christ’s blood and guaranteed by His return, does not. By faith, declare it today, even if it’s a whisper: “It is well. It is well with my soul.” In that declaration, you will find the peace that truly does pass all understanding.

In the name of Jesus, our Peace and our Blessed Hope, Amen.

This is hymn 28 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 28: WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY STAIN

1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain:

O precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my pardon this I see:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea:
nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

3. Nothing can for sin atone:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done:
nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

4. This is all my hope and peace:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness:
nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY STAIN HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this hymn, “What Can Wash Away My Sin,” stands as a stark, powerful, and non-negotiable declaration of the very core of our faith. In an age that often seeks complex answers and multiple paths, this hymn brings us back to the one, exclusive, and all-sufficient remedy for the human condition: the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is a hymn of radical exclusion and glorious inclusion, leaving no room for human merit and every room for divine mercy.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to protect the purity of the Gospel and to anchor our souls in the only foundation that can bear the weight of our sin and guilt. It destroys pride, silences the accuser, and floods the heart with gratitude for the “precious flow” that alone makes us clean.

1. It is a Hymn of Profound Questions and Exclusive Answers (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with the two most important questions a soul can ask: one about removal (“What can wash away my sin?”) and one about restoration (“What can make me whole again?”). The answer to both is identical, emphatic, and exclusive: “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” This immediately rules out every other proposed cure—moral reform, religious ritual, personal philosophy, or good intentions. The cleansing and healing of the soul has a single source.

2. It is a Hymn of Legal Pardon and Personal Cleansing (Verse 2)
This verse distinguishes two vital works of the blood. First, it secures our “pardon”—a legal declaration before God that our guilt is forgiven and the penalty is paid. Second, it affects our “cleansing”—an internal, transformative work that washes the stain of sin from our conscience and nature (1 John 1:7). One is judicial; the other is experiential. Both are received by faith, as our “plea” before God.

3. It is a Hymn of the End of Self-Atonement (Verse 3)
Here, the hymn drives the final nail into the coffin of human effort. “Nothing can for sin atone”—no act, no offering, no pain of ours can satisfy the righteous demands of a holy God against sin. It forcefully states, “Naught of good that I have done” can contribute to this atoning work. Our highest virtues are but “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) when placed next to the absolute holiness required. Salvation is by the blood alone, received by faith alone.

4. It is a Hymn of Complete Hope and Imputed Righteousness (Verse 4)
The final verse shows the result of this exclusive trust. The blood is not just our past pardon; it is our present “hope and peace.” It is also our standing before God: “This is all my righteousness.”We stand before the Father not clothed in our own deeds, but robed in the perfect righteousness of Christ, applied to us through His blood (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our entire confidence for life and eternity rests on this single truth.

The Refrain: The Soul’s Adoring Confession
The refrain is the worshipful response of a cleansed heart. “O precious is the flow”—it is of infinite value. “That makes me white as snow”—it achieves a purity that is complete and dazzling (Isaiah 1:18). “No other fount I know”—the soul, once having drunk here, recognizes there is no other source of life. Every line circles back to the triumphant, exclusive conclusion: “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you haunted by a sense of guilt? Are you striving to make yourself acceptable to God through your own efforts? Are you trusting in a blend of Christ’s work and your own goodness?

This hymn calls you to cease your striving and look solely to the cross. See the blood that was shed for you. Let it be your only plea. Confess that nothing else—not your tears, your resolutions, or your religious acts—can wash away a single stain. Then, receive the full, free, and finished cleansing that flows from Calvary.

Today, let your heart sing this truth. Let it be your defense against condemnation and your song of everlasting peace. You are clean, you are pardoned, you are righteous—not because of who you are, but because of the precious blood of Jesus. There is no other fount.

To the Lamb who was slain, and who by His blood has redeemed us for God, be all praise and glory. Amen.

This is hymn 27 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this cherished hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” strikes at the heart of our daily Christian walk. It is a gentle, yet profoundly convicting reminder of the incredible privilege and practical power we hold but so often neglect: the privilege of prayer. It is a hymn that diagnoses our spiritual poverty—our needless burdens—and prescribes the simple, transformative remedy of taking everything to our faithful Friend.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to correct our prayerlessness and to rekindle our confidence in prayer. It moves the doctrine of Christ’s friendship from a comforting idea into the daily, active practice of casting all our cares upon Him. It is a call to trade our anxiety for His peace.

1. It is a Hymn of Bearing and Sharing (Verse 1)
The hymn opens with a two-fold wonder: first, the wonder of Christ’s friendship, defined by His willingness to bear “all our sins and griefs.” He is a Friend who took our ultimate burden to the cross. Second, the wonder of our privilege: we get to “carry everything to God in prayer!” Prayer is not a duty, but an honor—a direct line to the throne of grace. The verse then turns piercingly introspective, lamenting the “peace we often forfeit” and the “needless pain we bear” simply because we choose to carry our burdens alone instead of to the One who has already borne the greatest weight for us. It calls us out of self-reliance into dependence.

2. It is a Hymn of Universal Remedy and Intimate Knowledge (Verse 2)
This verse presents prayer as the universal answer to every life circumstance. “Trials… temptations… trouble anywhere?” The answer is immediate: “take it to the Lord in prayer!” We are not to be discouraged because we have an ever-present, ever-faithful Advocate. The rhetorical question, “Can we find a friend so faithful?” expects a resounding “No!” His faithfulness is proven not only in His actions, but in His perfect empathy: “Jesus knows our every weakness” (Hebrews 4:15). He is not a distant observer; He is a acquainted with our struggle, making Him the perfect confidant.

3. It is a Hymn of Divine Refuge and Perfect Solace (Verse 3)
The hymn addresses our most vulnerable states: when we are “weak and heavy laden” with care, and when we feel the deep sting of human betrayal as friends “despise” or “forsake” us. In both scenarios, the refrain is the same, and the refuge is sure. Christ is our “precious Savior” and our “refuge.” The beautiful promise is one of active, tender care: “In his arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.” Prayer is the door that leads us into the shelter of His personal, protective, and comforting presence.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

What burden are you carrying alone today? What anxiety is stealing your peace? What disappointment, weakness, or fear are you nursing in secret?

This hymn is a loving rebuke and a gracious invitation. It tells us that our pain is often “needless” because a solution has been provided. The Friend who bore the cross is ready to bear your daily cross with you.

Do not forfeit your peace a moment longer. Stop right now. Name that care, that trial, that heartache. Then, in simple faith, obey the command that rings through every line of this hymn: “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” He is waiting. He is faithful. He knows your weakness, and in His arms, you will find the solace that the world can never give.

Prayer is the practical proof that Jesus is your dearest Friend. Exercise that privilege today, and let His peace garrison your heart.

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

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.