Resurrecting and Eliza Hewitt
From Allen: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 Resurrecting is a song that (spoiler alert) sings about the resurrection of Christ and the trials he endured. In this song we sing of the humble servant attitude Christ had on earth, and how he is now crowned Lord of all. "The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now. The Savior knelt to wash our feet, now at His feet we bow." Because of this we sing "Your name, Your name is victory. All praise will rise to Christ our King!" At the beginning of this we read John 16 telling us that even though there are troubles on this earth for us, we can hold fast to the ultimate victory we have through the powerful name of Christ Jesus. Life is never easy or simple, but the truth is that we have been redeemed and brought out of darkness to declare the praise of His name among the nations. The bridge declares that very truth by saying "In Your name I come alive to declare Your victory. The resurrected King is resurrecting me."
As we prepare to worship this Sunday, think about how God has delivered you from certain parts of your past and given you victory over strongholds. Keep those fresh on your mind as we sing this song of victory in the name of Christ Jesus. His name is victory, and the name we continually call upon.
From Mark: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of heaven? The crystal sea? Streets of gold? Seeing loved ones again? Eliza Hewitt said, "When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!" She just wanted to see Jesus. She had every right to say, "I just want to be whole again." Eliza was born in the early 1850's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a very good student and became a teacher. She suffered a spinal injury when struck by an object a student threw in the school yard and became a semi-invalid for much of her life. While being primarily bed-ridden, she began to study literature and study and write poetry. The fruit of this labor is seen in many of our hymnals today. At a Methodist camp meeting in 1898 she became fast friends with Emily Wilson and they collaborated in the writing of "When We All Get to Heaven".
This song is filled the joy of heaven! Fellowship will abound in this wonderful place. As those from every tribe, tongue and nation meet around the table at the grand marriage supper of the Lamb, we will indeed "sing and shout the victory!" So Lord, this Sunday, as we sing, would you like the prophet asked in Isaiah 64, "rend the heavens" and come down!? Our King Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, meet with us as we worship this Lord's Day!