Today’s song, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, is one of my favorites. (You are allowed to have lots of favorites in life, by the way!)
This hymn, written by Charles Wesley (one of the greatest hymn writers of all time) goes by quick… It is only 2 verses! Yet every couplet rings with fresh themes of Messiah’s provision and glorious salvation.
In verse 1 we hear of many benefits for ourselves: freedom, rest, strength, hope, and joy.
In verse 2 we hear of the paradox of Christ, the permanence of His kingdom, His sovereignty by the Holy Spirit, and the sufficiency of his merits which elevate us to his very throne. That’s a ton of beautiful theology in just 16 lines. They don’t write them like they use to!
Here are the lyrics:
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
So enjoy this short but sweet song. You might want to put it on song repeat and soak it in a few times.
Here’s where you can find the whole album, Emmanuel.
. . . As I Follow Christ 