The imagery from this old hymn snagged my weary mind:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
Now, I'm no starry eyed new Christian. I've sung a bunch of hymns and absorbed a lot of messages. But as the notes soared, I felt like something broke loose inside me. It was like being back in a secret place I had forgotten.
Subsequently, the melody haunted me for two weeks. I couldn't recall a single line. But they hadn't printed up a typical Sunday bulletin, and until I hummed it for Julie tonight, I was clueless. She pulled an obscure lyric from her memory, and I found it on i-Tunes. The version by Selah sounds very much like the Sanctuary's team.
If you haven't been down a spiritual path for awhile, look up the website. Hear a message. Then go to i-Tunes and top it off with the song-"Before the Throne of God Above." I bet you hear angels, too.