Monday, February 8, 2010

  "I'm pressing on the upward way,
   New heights I'm gaining ev'ry day;
   Still praying as I'm onward bound,
   'Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.'"
     --Johnson Oatman, Jr.

   If you go back and look at the versus of that old hymn it is a "Paine" in itself. No need for commentary for clearly it is seen the walk of the believer. Check yourself out, are you gaining new heights or is it the same old ho-hum of life? Is it higher ground we are looking for or are we satisfied with the valley? Where is your aim, your goal; is it higher ground?
Hearing the words, or sounds might be a better term, of some of today's songs I wonder if there is the challenge and the hope of higher ground. I've heard, trying to pound in my head, "woah, woah,woah." What is the world is that? Sounds more like a groan from a person with severe stomach cramps. Guess I'm missing it somewhere but I would rather hear something like: "Lord, lift me up and let me stand..." than someone in travail with the "woahs."
   If that is a generation gap, then so be it! I recently viewed a video of a church in China. They have to be very careful in their meetings and quietness is the norm. I watched them sing praises unto the Lord. No sounds, only mouthing the words of the great hymns. Not a stomach grumble, not a woah, only the unity in the meaning of the words.
   If you are another generation and disagree, so be it. You keep your "woahs." I'll look at the rest of Oatman's hymn.

  "I want to live above the world,
   Tho' Satan's darts at me ar hurled;
   For faith has caught the joyful sound,
   The song of saints on higher ground.

   I want to scale the utmost height,
   And catch a gleam of glory bright;
   But still I'll pray till Heav'n I've found,
   'Lord, lead me on to higher ground.'

   Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
   By faith, on Heaven's tableland,
   A higher plane than I have found;
   Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
 
                                                                                      Ira Paine

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
--Psalm 61:2 (NIV)