Past, Present, and Future Grace

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV).

Today I am returning to the story of John Newton and his most famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Our reading today is very clear. The writer of Hebrews compares Jesus to the King/High Priest Melchizedeck and then writes the encouragement to “hold fast.” Sometimes I feel that’s all I can do. I have just enough strength to hold on! In that exercise I find so much more. It is at that moment when I am able to trust God’s grace that I find confidence to “draw near.” Then I am able to find mercy and grace for any moment of difficulty. John Newton knew about this truth. In one letter written to a friend, he explained the discipline of faith in God’s plan and purpose: New Years finds me employed. I compare it to a hill on the road, from the top of which I endeavor to look back on the way that the Lord has led me thus far through the wilderness [past]. I look around to contemplate the difference his goodness has made between my situation, and that of thousands of my fellow creatures [present]. I then look forward, and perceive that I am drawing apace to my journey’s end. I shall soon be at home [future]. At the time he wrote this, John Newton, whose past was awful, had been saved from his sure destruction in the judgment. It was then that he recognized how he was being saved. He knew it was his journey that was designed by God to sanctify him. He would be saved in the end no matter what the present looked lie. Such confidence in grace was synonymous with his confidence in the all-sufficient Christ. So, it was this time of the New Year that reminded him to meditate on the grace of Christ. He learned a wonderful truth that since the Lord is good, he was delivered, he is being delivered, and he would be delivered finally and perfectly. The New Year afforded Newton the reminder to meditate on the grace of Christ. Knowing how Newton processed the New Year, and knowing he wrote “Amazing Grace” for a New Year’s Day service in his church, please take a moment now to read the hymn as it originally appeared. Read it slowly as you reflect on how God has delivered, is delivering, and will finally deliver all his children. If you are having trouble finding all of it you can find it here: https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Amazing_Grace/.