My Word for 2024: HIMSELF

Drumroll — my new 2024 word “Himself.”
I know…does this word seems odd? What do I mean by “Himself”?
Maybe I need to add the important word that comes before: “HE.”
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Simply HE HIMSELF and nothing added in.

I’ll share some Scriptures in my next post that have this wonderful emphasis … this reflexive pronoun “Himself” (for you fellow “grammar buffs”). But in the meantime, why this word, this year?

Years ago, I found a poem in a devotional book that grabbed my heart and soul. And later, I discovered it was the end to a magnificent sermon by A. B. Simpson. I loved it so much, I have copied it and handed it to almost every Bible study group I have led ever since.

This year, one of the women texted our group the poem set to song. And the Lord said to my soul, “Here’s your word, Jan, HIMSELF.”

So here’s the poem and the song and a link to the sermon. Next time the Scriptures …

HIMSELF

by A. B. Simpson

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once ’twas painful trying, Now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once ’twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting, Now my anchor’s cast.

Once ’twas busy planning, Now ’tis trustful prayer;
Once ’twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once ’twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking, Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He’s mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail.