Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions

November 26 THANK YOU, LORD Words and Music by Seth Sykes, 1892–1950 and Bessie Sykes, 1905– Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15) The gift of salvation—a personal relationship with almighty God—what an indescribable gift! Yet how often do we sincerely thank our Lord for all that He has done in making this possible? Our lack of praise and thanksgiving for His gift of salvation can be likened to the response of the ten lepers after being miraculously healed by Christ (Luke 17:11–19). Only one returned to express gratitude. The interest of the other nine was centered more in what had happened to them personally than in remembering the One who had performed the miracle in their lives. Are we ever guilty of this same carelessness? It is interesting to imagine the life-long remorse that characterized these nine ungrateful lives: I meant to go back, but you may guess I was filled with amazement, I cannot express To think that after those horrible years, that passion of loathing and passion of fears, Of sores unendurable—eaten, defiled—my flesh was as smooth as the flesh of a child. I was drunken with joy; I was crazy with glee; I scarcely could walk and I scarcely could see, For the dazzle of sunshine where all had been black; but I meant to go back, Oh, I meant to go back! I had thought to return, when people came out; there were tears of rejoicing and laughter and shout; My cup was so full I seemed nothing to lack! But I meant to go back, Oh, I meant to go back! —Unknown The words of this hymn have been greatly used of God since they were written in 1940 to allow believers to offer praise for the gift of their salvation— Some thank the Lord for friends and home, for mercies sure and sweet; but I would praise Him for His grace—in prayer I would repeat: Some thank Him for the flow’rs that grow, some for the stars that shine. My heart is filled with joy and praise because I know He’s mine. I trust in Him from day to day; I prove His saving grace; I’ll sing this song of praise to Him until I see His face. Chorus: Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul; thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free. For Today: Psalm 100:4; 116:12, 14; 147:7; Philippians 4:6, 7; Colossians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Pause even now and praise God for Himself and His gift of personal salvation on your behalf. Carry this musical prayer with you— Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990). 353.