“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor things present, … nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“It is not enough to have a song on your lips. You must also have a song in your heart.” Fanny Crosby

As it turns out, I grew up listening to and singing Fanny Crosby's songs from a young age. Songs like "Redeemed How I Love To Proclaim It!," "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior," "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross," "I Am Thine Oh Lord / Draw Me Nearer," and "Tell Me The Story Of Jesus" were common hymns sung in Sunday school or adult Sunday services every week. "Blessed Assurance" was especially sung when people shared their testimonies. I am truly thankful to Fanny Crosby for writing these beautiful and inspiring hymns (8000 Hymns), which played a big role in shaping my faith.

Fanny Crosby was born in New York in 1820. When she was just two months old, she had an eye infection that wasn't treated properly, leaving her mostly blind for life, only able to distinguish between light and dark. Her mother had to work as a maid, so her grandmother raised her. Fanny's grandmother read her Scriptures, which helped her memorize passages. Memorizing Scripture became a big part of Fanny's life and inspired her to write hymns. Despite being blind for almost her entire life, Fanny wrote over 8,000 hymns, drawing inspiration from her strong faith. "Blessed Assurance" (1873) is one of the most loved hymns sung by United Methodists.

When she was just nine years old, Fanny wrote: "O what a happy soul am I, Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world; Contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy That other people don't. To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot, and I won't."

One day in 1873, Fanny was visiting her friend, Mrs. Joseph Knapp. During their visit, Mrs. Knapp played a tune on her piano that she had recently composed. She then asked Fanny, "What does this tune say?" After praying silently for a few moments, Fanny replied, "It says, 'Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!'"

Pastor Seok-Hwan

REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

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.

2.Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels, descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3.Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

Text: Fanny Crosby

Music: Ralph E. Hudson