I. Introduction
A. The Scriptures teach that our faith in Christ Employs all of our God-given senses:
B. In order to receive God's truth properly, we must have our
entire being alive and alert to His every command. In general,
most of us do not deliberately disobey God. Instead, we simply
do not heed Him by being sensitive to His leading in the small
details of our lives. how important it is to learn the lesson
taught by this hymn that we should have seeing eyes, hearing ears,
a verbal communication of the truth, and a loving heart for sharing
God's Love.
C. Clara Scott (Composer and Lyrist 1841-1897) taught music and
was a prolific composer of vocal and instrumental music. Her purpose
in this song was to help us have a greater awareness of God's
will for our lives and a readiness to obey!
II. Verse 1-read---EYES
A. "Glimpses of Truth....." John 8:31, 17:17, Ephesians
1:13-14, I Thess. 2:13.
The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ has great power---the
power to deliver us from the destruction that will come upon us
because of sin. The reason that truth is important in describing
the Gospel, is that, on this earth there are many things that
claim to be true. We will sometimes put our trust in them and
subsequently be disappointed. The truth that is from God, will
never disappoint. God will always hold to his promises. If there
were no truth to base our faith and hope in eternal life on, we
would be above all men most miserable. I Cor. 15:19
B. "Place in my hand the wonderful key....." Acts
14:27, Luke 13:25. God gives us the key to open the door to salvation--His
Word. This great key is accessible only to those who use it properly-for
Christ will acknowledge us in the last great day-if we acknowledge
him in the life and do his commandments.
III. Verse 2-read---EARS
A. "Voices of Truth thou sendest ....." First see
the comments under II.A.
Psalms 19:7-9, Romans 16:25-27, Col 1:26-29, Prov. 8:8-9, 15:19.
The truth contained in God's word is not only available to all
who seek him but is understandable by all. God would not be truthful
if he gave a book of commandments that we could not understand
and then held us accountable!
B. "Everything false will disappear." Psalms 119:104,
Proverbs 12:17-19.
That which is truth will, when put beside that which is false,
expose it as such through the conflict that is created. Since
God's word is truth, any teaching, when put beside the truth will
either be shown to be in accordance with his will or opposed to
it.
IV. Verse 3-read---MOUTH & HEART
A. "bear gladly the warm truth everywhere." Psalms 51:10-13, Matt. 24:14, I Peter 1:25, Mark 16:15. We as Christians have a responsibility--share the gospel. Someone taught us and showed us the truth in God's word. This necessarily gives us the responsibility to teach and share His Word with others.
B. "Love with thy children thus to share." II Thess.
1:3, Gal. 6:2-3., I Thess. 4:9,
I Peter 1:22-23. The greatest way that we show our love of God,
is to love each other. I John 4:12
V. Refrain-read
"Silently now I wait for thee......"Ecc. 9:17, 10:12,
Prov. 18:6-7. The wise man lets God speak to him through his word
and learns through quiet listening.
The word "illumine" means to supply with light,
to light up. God is light- Evil is darkness. Our prayer should
be that the light of God (His Word) illuminates us to the point
that all darkness is exposed to the light and eliminated.