Lord, In The Strength Of Grace

Lyrics: Charles Wesley
Music: So Heng (2007)

Lord, in the strength of grace,
With a glad heart and free,
Myself, my residue of days,
I consecrate to Thee.

Thy ransomed servant, I
Restore to Thee Thy own,
And from this moment, live or die
To serve my God alone.


在恩典的大能中
译词：苏恒、蔡以昕

主啊 在恩典的大能中
获释放的我带着欣喜的心
把自己和我仅存的岁月
分别为圣归祢

祢的仆人 被赎的我
将属祢的归还
而从此刻起 生或死
都单为事奉我主

I’m completely humbled. What transpired over the entire weekend, was definitely of divine power. Just when I thought I had understood the lyrics of this song perfectly, He put us to the test and made us see what it means to restore to Him what belongs to Him, what it means to serve Him alone, what it means to serve in the strength of His grace.

We were asked for a perfect, unblemished lamb for sacrifice and we had none to offer. Many a times, our best just isn’t THE best. We despair, we grieve, we hesitate to put it on the altar. What would God do with such an offering? Why would He want it? Torsten gave me timely reminder: remember the widow with the 2 copper coins. It wasn’t a lot in terms of quantity but it was her all. All that she possessed, she placed it in that offering box and offered it up to God. Can you imagine the courage she had to put the 2 coins into the box? Can you even fathom the reverence she had for God?

Then it hit me: everything I have isn’t mine. But when asked for our all, we cling on to some things like our life depends on it. It reminds me of Abraham. He had a son, Isaac. Isaac was a promise from God, a blessed possession for Abraham. A son, coming so late in Abraham’s life, Abraham must have love Isaac a lot. Then one fine day, God dropped the bomb on Abraham: he was to offer Isaac up as a burnt sacrifice.

Why did God do that? Perhaps God knew Abraham loved Isaac more than he loved Him. Isaac was something that stood between God and Abraham, and unless Abraham learnt to part with his beloved possession, he cannot love God above everything else. Our love for one another may exceed that of our love for God. What are the “Isaacs” in our life today? Academic results? Family? Some sister or brother-in-Christ? Dominant 7th?

“Restore to Thee Thy own”: are you ready to give them all up and return to God what really belongs to Him?

Frankly, when faced with the choices, I only saw my accountability to men: how not to let people down, how one’s efforts must somehow be proportionate to the outcome. When none of the choices can please both God and men at the same time, what do we do? “To serve my God alone” means to pit oneself against the world’s charms. Yes, surely you’ll let some people down. Our deepest concerns will show us who we serve, our Master: so is it going to be men, or God?

In making my final decision, I have let a few people down, seen the “Isaac” of my life and my inability and unworthiness to serve if not for His strong, unwavering grace. The anthem was no longer just a song but a part of my life.

I thank God for the painful experience for I have seen His power and sovereignty through it all!