“'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'” (Acts 7:32 NIV)
As we finish our study of Moses this Sunday in worship, we remember the amazing story of how God seeks to deliver His chosen people and how he continues to act today. When Moses approached the burning bush, God introduces himself at the “God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” God had acted powerfully through all these people of faith and by speaking to Moses, he was promising to continue to act in the lives of this new generation. God still speaks to us, promising his deliverance to each of us. What a powerful heritage of faith we have to stand on!
Thomas Olivers, author of “The God of Abraham Praise” was one of John Wesley’s eighteenth-century evangelists. He traveled extensively throughout England and Ireland, fearlessly preaching the gospel but often encountering violent opposition. Olivers states that he wrote this hymn after listening to the preaching of a Jewish rabbi at the Duke’s Place Synagogue, Oldgate, London . . . Olivers was so impressed by the service and especially the music that he began wiring this text to fit the meter of the tune he had heard.”1
1. Osbeck, Kenneth W. Amazing Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1990, 2002), pg. 317
The God of Abraham Praise
The God of Abr'ham praise, who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days, and God of love;
"I Am the One I Am" by earth and heav'n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name forever blest.
The God of Abr'ham praise! Your all-sufficient grace
shall guide me all my pilgrim days in all my ways.
You deign to call me friend; you call yourself my God!
And you will save me to the end through Jesus' blood.
The goodly land I see, with peace and plenty blest;
a land of sacred liberty and endless rest.
There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound,
and trees of life forever grow with mercy crowned.
Before the great Three-One, the saints exulting stand
and tell the wonders God has done through all their land.
The list'ning spheres attend and swell the growing fame
and sing the songs which never end, the wondrous name.
(Thomas Olivers)
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