I couldn’t resist posting this devotional from the Institute For Creation Research for Aug 3, 2009.
“And Can It Be!” is my most favorite hymn and I have told Dan, that it is to be sung when I go “home to glory.” This does not have all the stanzas, but here is the full hymn.
Savannah Sparrow singing by Ray
And can it be that I should gain,
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him, to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That thou, my God, should’st die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His Grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
No condemnation now I dread,
I am my Lord’s and He is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteous divine.
What a powerful message that song has. How could God, so love us, (me, Lee) so much that He would come and die for me? A sinner, saved only by the grace of God, by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Amazing Love! How Can It Be?
Can It Be?
by John D. Morris, Ph.D.
“Christ also suffered for us. . . . Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)
Those who love good church music have come to love Charles Wesley’s commitment to and knowledge of his Savior and the Scriptures, for he wove into his music and poetry deep insights which challenge and thrill us even today. One of his hymns, “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?,” has unfortunately been abridged in modern hymnals. The original five verses are expressed:
And can it be that I should gain,
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him, to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That thou, my God, should’st die for me?
Even the Old Testament saints wondered why God loves man so. “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” (Job 7:17). The New Testament contains many similar expressions of wonder. “Behold, what manner of love |literally ‘what a different kind of love’| the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:8-11).
The point is we were desperate sinners deserving His wrath. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love |i.e., ‘amazing love’| wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5). JDM
This article was originally published August, 2009. “Can It Be?”, Institute for Creation Research, http://www.icr.org/article/4710/ (accessed August 02, 2009).
Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
I too relish the message of the hymn, Lee. We appreciate you sharing the sweet things of your heart. You uplift our souls with the truths of Jesus Christ expressed in perfect harmony. While we were yet sinners, He willingly died for all men, out of sacrificial love, that they might with unveiled eyes come to a true knowledge of Him.
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You and I share a love for this hymn. Yes! It’s perfect for “going home to Glory”!!!
“What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” (Job 7:17)
This echoes what the Psalmist asked. It’s kind of risky that God would set His heart on us, I think.
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Thank you for loving my favorite hymn. When we used to have song request night, it got to where when my hand went up, the song leader would say, “I know, #44! (We now have a new songbook and I don’t know the new number.) I don’t even have to request it here at Faith. We sing it quite often. Thanks for stopping by.
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