Christ is Mine Forevermore
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
These last few months have provided a potent reminder of the unreasonableness of my trust in the "normal". Normally I can take my family out for an impromptu night at the movies. Not anymore. Normally our family can plan a vacation at such and such a time in such and such a place with great freedom of choice in travel arrangements, lodging and entertainment. Not anymore. Normally I can connect with friends and acquaintances or meet someone new with a friendly smile, handshake or hug. Not anymore. Every interaction these days is a hesitant one. This is a time where I can no longer trust that tomorrow will resemble today.
It benefits us as believers to often be reminded that, in fact, every season and circumstance of life is an opportunity to reflect on our priorities. Our sinful desires still tug and pull us toward ourselves and a vapid confidence in our own wisdom, our own strength, and a "gut" feeling that tends to supercede all biblical wisdom to the contrary. Reminders, simply put, make a world of difference. Like the dog-eared page of a neglected novel they bring us back in line with a story we feared we would be forced to start over.
We need reminding often that normal is a figment of our imagination, a weightless paradigm that sets sail in any direction the blowing wind so moves it. Normal is a mode of living that gives us a false sense of comfort or stability amidst a world that is in constant activity towards the contrary. Natural disasters, infidelities, pain, recessions, accidents, viruses, lay-offs - the list could go on - are deemed "out of the norm" when in fact they themselves are bullying reminders of what is truly normal. Instead of a healthy diet of verbal reminders of the norm, we allow these "abnormal" events of life to wake us up to the reality of sin in a fallen world.
The best reminders - the ones offered ahead of the stark realities - come to us in God's Word, and likewise, in rich, scripture-saturated songs. Christ is Mine Forevermore is such a song of reminder. The authors have masterfully woven each verse together by addressing first our propensity to run headlong toward our normal. We are prone to seek earthly treasure, to avoid trials and persecution, even to attempt resting at home in this world. But God (how loaded a phrase!) becomes our goal, our aim, and our Savior. Indeed, He is our hope in the midst of the abnormal world in which we live. He alone is the true peace and comfort we hunt for in the shifting shadows of this present journey. For the redeemed, He is the only possible normality.
There is much on which we can meditate in this song and much by which we can encourage one another. The normal which we are tempted to seek after will always disappoint and its end is likewise doomed to deteriorate. Moth and rust make a quick end to the stuff of earth, including our normal treasures. But Christ - He is our reward forevermore.
It benefits us as believers to often be reminded that, in fact, every season and circumstance of life is an opportunity to reflect on our priorities. Our sinful desires still tug and pull us toward ourselves and a vapid confidence in our own wisdom, our own strength, and a "gut" feeling that tends to supercede all biblical wisdom to the contrary. Reminders, simply put, make a world of difference. Like the dog-eared page of a neglected novel they bring us back in line with a story we feared we would be forced to start over.
We need reminding often that normal is a figment of our imagination, a weightless paradigm that sets sail in any direction the blowing wind so moves it. Normal is a mode of living that gives us a false sense of comfort or stability amidst a world that is in constant activity towards the contrary. Natural disasters, infidelities, pain, recessions, accidents, viruses, lay-offs - the list could go on - are deemed "out of the norm" when in fact they themselves are bullying reminders of what is truly normal. Instead of a healthy diet of verbal reminders of the norm, we allow these "abnormal" events of life to wake us up to the reality of sin in a fallen world.
The best reminders - the ones offered ahead of the stark realities - come to us in God's Word, and likewise, in rich, scripture-saturated songs. Christ is Mine Forevermore is such a song of reminder. The authors have masterfully woven each verse together by addressing first our propensity to run headlong toward our normal. We are prone to seek earthly treasure, to avoid trials and persecution, even to attempt resting at home in this world. But God (how loaded a phrase!) becomes our goal, our aim, and our Savior. Indeed, He is our hope in the midst of the abnormal world in which we live. He alone is the true peace and comfort we hunt for in the shifting shadows of this present journey. For the redeemed, He is the only possible normality.
There is much on which we can meditate in this song and much by which we can encourage one another. The normal which we are tempted to seek after will always disappoint and its end is likewise doomed to deteriorate. Moth and rust make a quick end to the stuff of earth, including our normal treasures. But Christ - He is our reward forevermore.
VERSE 1
Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings
CHORUS 1
But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall His love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore
VERSE 2
Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good
CHORUS 2
But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes His work in me
VERSE 3
Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for His name
CHORUS 3
But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And He has said He will deliver
Safely to the golden shore
CHORUS 4
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore
BRIDGE
Come rejoice now O my soul
For His love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore
Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings
CHORUS 1
But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall His love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore
VERSE 2
Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good
CHORUS 2
But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes His work in me
VERSE 3
Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for His name
CHORUS 3
But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And He has said He will deliver
Safely to the golden shore
CHORUS 4
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore
BRIDGE
Come rejoice now O my soul
For His love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore
Copyright 2015 Robinson, Jonny (Admin. by CityAlight Music) and Thompson, Rich (Admin. by CityAlight Music)
Posted in Doxology and Theology
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