Light is used to symbolise God, faith or holiness throughout scripture.
For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Psalm 18:28 (KJV)
A burning candle can light even the darkest of rooms. It can not just light a darkened room but can show those in the room what is around them, and can guide them to a place of safety and security.
God’s love is just like that – His love can brighten even the darkest of times. And if we trust him, he will guide us through those times to a place of safety in his loving arms.
I think a number of us who attended Symphony Sounds at Birmingham on Saturday (1 June) were really blessed by the song The First Step by Joy Webb sung by FourHymn during evening finale. The word and music seemed to touch a number of us, particularly as it wasn’t a song we’d heard before.
Since then we tried find a recording of it, and thanks to Gaz Rose on soundcloud we found a recording of it sung by Roger Cobb. I hope you enjoy this and are blessed as much as we were.
Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” ~ John 8:12 (The Message)
Even when it seems all hope is lost we will have light in our life, if Christ is part of our life.
That’s why even in the darkest days, we can still find our way, because Jesus has promised to provide all the light we need to live in.
Ever since I fist heard the news on Monday night of the terrorist attack in Manchester, I’ve found the words of the following song by Major Joy Webb going through my mind every day:
Come into our world, come into our world.
All around us, seemingly, darkness holds its sway; Truth and love are faltering, peace in disarray; And if we needed you, we need you now!
Come into our world, Come into our world, now, Lord Jesus. Come into our world, come into our world.
People sit in loneliness, children cry for bread; Men fight men in hatred, by suspicion led; And if we needed you, we need you now!
Come into our world, Come into our world, now, Lord Jesus. Come into our world, come into our world.
Faced with such confusion, hope has slipped away; Men have stopped believing, forgotten how to pray; And if we needed you, we need you now!
Come into our world, Come into our world, now, Lord Jesus. Come into our world, Come into our world, now, Lord Jesus, come.
The world seems to have forgotten about God, and what He can do for us, and our world. We seem to be facing increasingly dark times, as day and day we hear news of man killing or maiming other human beings because they don’t believe in the same things, or hold the same values as them.
All around us, seemingly, darkness holds its sway; Truth and love are faltering, peace in disarray; And if we needed you, we need you now!
Now, more than ever, this world of ours need God. And now more than ever God needs us to tell the world about Him. Let’s all help Jesus come into our world today, by pledging to tell the world about God, and reminding them how to pray.
Faced with such confusion, hope has slipped away; Men have stopped believing, forgotten how to pray; And if we needed you, we need you now!
We used to be able to let children go out and play in the streets; now we don’t let them walk anywhere on their own.
We used to be able to leave our doors unlocked so our friends/family could just come in; now we lock our doors even when we’re in the house.
We used to be able to plan and book a foreign holiday without considering whether there may be a risk travelling to that part of the world.
People didn’t used to try to con us by offering us “unbelievable deals” over the phone or at the door.
We used to be able to walk home late at night by yourself without fear for your safety; now most of us wouldn’t even consider walking anywhere (particularly ourselves) after dark.
People used to respect and trust one another; sadly respect seems to be a word of the past.
Everyone used to say “please” and “thank you” to each other; sadly many don’t even seem to know these words exist.
Tolerance of people of a religions other than their own is no longer the norm, instead it’s been replaced by violence and hatred of these people/groups.
So much has changed in our world, and not for the better, but there is one ray of hope…Christ!
If ever the world needed Christ, it is now, so let’s make sure we keep that ray of hope burning bright by reminding everyone that Christ is the light of the world this Christmas.
Here’s a great version of the beautiful Joy Webbsong Come Into Our Worldwhich encapsulates my thoughts for today, enjoy.
One of my all-time favourite pieces of music, written by Joy Webb, is There Will Be God. I’ve found myself drawn back to this song many times over these last few weeks, as so many situation and events take place in this world around us that may cause many to question, “Where is God?”
Ten thousand years may pass away And bring the dawning of a cosmic day; Age after age, time after time hold its sway: Man walks alone amidst uncertainty. Only one thing can still make him strong; In the pain, in the doubt, in the loneliness.In the struggle of right against wrongs Somewhere amidst the confusion, There will be hope, there will be love, there will be GodAll time will pass into eternity And man must venture on a life unknown: Journey alone, each to his own destiny: In life or death, amidst uncertainty,Only one thing can still make him strong: In the pain, in the doubt, in the loneliness, In the struggle of right against wrong: Somewhere amidst the confusion, There will be hope, there will be love, there will be God
What powerful words. Do you believe them?
There will be hope, there will be love, there will be God!
Share My YokeMusic and lyrics by Joy Webb Arranged for brass band by Ivor BosankoWhen I’m tired and nothing’s going right for me;When things I’ve counted on just do not come my way;When in my mind the thick grey folds of doubt arise,It’s then I seem to hear him say:Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you.Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too!Share my yoke and come the way that I must go!In our “togetherness” my peace you’ll know;The world beholding us will see it so!When I’m perplexed and no one’s understanding me;When even safest thoughts collapse in disarray;When I’ve lost the things that always seemed so sure,It’s then I need to hear him say:Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you.Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too!Share my yoke and come the way that I must go!In our “togetherness” my peace you’ll know;The world beholding us will see it so!When I’m alone and nothing’s getting through to me;And isolation that increases day by day;When closest friends can seem a thousand miles away,It’s then I long to hear him say:Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you.Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too!Share my yoke and come the way that I must go!In our “togetherness” my peace you’ll know;The world beholding us will see it so!
I hope you enjoy the following video of Keith Hutchinson, Bournemouth Concert Brass, playing the cornet solo Share My Yoke:
Have you heard the saying:
A problem shared is a problem halved
It’s a strange saying, but one which I have found to be true on more than one occasion!
I’ve found sharing some difficult situations/issues with friends/family does help, rather than trying to cope with things all on my own. However when I have been at the lowest points in my life, sharing with even family and friends didn’t seem to help ease my load. I just seemed to be getting deeper and deeper into blackness, but then I did it…I took all my concerns and worries all to God and I left them there…
Those of you who are not Christians will probably think I’m just saying this, but wow what a difference it made taking it all to God! It was as if a huge load was lifted from my shoulders…what a relief!
Other than telling you my about my experience, all I can do is urge you to share all your problems/concerns with God because His is ready and willing to share your load, because in doing so He will give you peace.
Last night at our band practice we practiced the cornet solo “Share My Yoke”. It’s a beautiful arrangement of the Joy Webb song.
Ever since I first heard this song many years ago, I found the words and music very moving, the words themselves are very powerful and are very personal to the listener.
Given how I’ve been feeling lately it was no great surprise that I felt very moved by the music last night, and fell apart yet again! I was quite please though that as this was just a band practice, everyone (except the bandmaster) were playing, so I don’t think anyone noticed I had got upset again.
Please listen to the cornet solo (played by Philip Cobb) and follow the words of the song. I hope you are blessed by them.
Share My Yoke
Music and lyrics by Joy Webb Arranged for brass band by Ivor Bosanko
When I’m tired and nothing’s going right for me; When things I’ve counted on just do not come my way; When in my mind the thick grey folds of doubt arise, It’s then I seem to hear him say:
Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you. Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too! Share my yoke and come the way that I must go! In our “togetherness” my peace you’ll know; The world beholding us will see it so!
When I’m perplexed and no one’s understanding me; When even safest thoughts collapse in disarray; When I’ve lost the things that always seemed so sure, It’s then I need to hear him say:
Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you. Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too! Share my yoke and come the way that I must go! In our “togetherness” my peace you’ll know; The world beholding us will see it so!
When I’m alone and nothing’s getting through to me; And isolation that increases day by day; When closest friends can seem a thousand miles away, It’s then I long to hear him say:
Share my yoke and find that I am joined with you. Your slightest movement I shall feel and be there too! Share my yoke and come the way that I must go! In our “togetherness” my peace you’ll know; The world beholding us will see it so!
Isn’t it amazing to know that there is someone there when everything’s going wrong and we can’t see how things are ever going to improve for us.
Isn’t it amazing to know there is someone who there for us when no one else is.
Isn’t it amazing that someone can know and feel our every movement, no matter how small.
