Remember this!
When we are engulfed by silence; give praise!
Powerful Hymns to Silence Satan’s Lies
Our spiritual enemy, Satan, is real, vicious, and relentless—but he is also defeated. In Christ, we have all we need to stand victorious against every attack.
“A Wonderful Savior” by Fanny Crosby
Sometimes, bombarded by calamity, we feel vulnerable and exposed. But Scripture tells us our lives are hidden in Christ with God (Colossians 3:30). When danger comes, God “will cover [us] with His feathers, and under His wings [we] will find refuge. His faithfulness will be [our] shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).
Referencing the biblical account of when God showed His servant Moses His glory, Fanny wrote, “He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His Love, And covers me there with His hand.”
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
a wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
where rivers of pleasure I see.
Refrain:
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
that shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
and covers me there with His hand,
and covers me there with His hand.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day. [Refrain]
With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
and filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
for such a Redeemer as mine! [Refrain]
When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
to meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high. [Refrain]
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our Lord” by H. F Hedge
Sometimes we’re deceived into believing our fears are bigger than our God, but this is far from true. He is the all-powerful, ever-present One who commands heaven’s armies. Psalm 147:4-5 tells us, “He determines the number of stars,” known to contain unfathomable amounts of energy, “and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”
As Hedge’s hymn states, God truly is a mighty fortress, “a bulwark never failing. Our helper, He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.”
Whatever we’re facing, God is bigger, and He’s always fighting for us.
“Joyful Song” by Fanny Crosby
Our foe attempts to defeat, paralyze, and terrorize us, but Scripture says he’s been defeated. Through the cross, Christ “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:15). While the war between good and evil rages on, in truth, the battle has already been won.
As Fanny wrote, “Victory, victory thro’ Him that redeemed us! Victory, victory thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord.”
“Jesus Calls Thee” by S. A. Collin
Satan tries to tell us that our sins are too great, too dark for God’s redeeming love. Unfortunately, many of our past experiences with other seems to confirm this lie. When we mess up, people are often quick to cast us aside and reject us, but that’s not how God responds. Whereas our worst behaviors might indeed push others aside, Jesus forever calls us to Himself, where we receive mercy, love, and peace. “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened,” He said, “and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Rest from striving, from trying to earn our salvation, and from the heavy weight of our sin.
The nineteenth century hymn “Jesus Calls Thee” assures us that God’s invitation extends to all, us included. “Jesus, gracious One, calleth now to thee,” he wrote, “‘Come, O sinner come!’ Calls so tenderly, calls so lovingly, ‘Now, O sinner, come.’”
Lyrics:
Jesus, gracious one, calleth now to thee,
“Come, O sinner, come!”
Calls so tenderly, calls so lovingly,
“Now, O sinner, come?”
Words of peace and blessing,
Christ’s own love confessing;
Refrain:
Hear the sweet voice of Jesus,
Full, full of love;
Calling tenderly, calling lovingly,
“Come, O sinner, come!”
Still he waits for thee, pleading patiently,
“Come, O come to me!
Heavy-laden one, I thy grief have borne,
Come and rest in me.”
Words of love o’erflowing,
Life and bliss bestowing; [Refrain]
Weary, sin-sick soul, called so graciously,
Canst thou dare refuse?
Mercy offered thee, freely, tenderly,
Wilt thou still abuse?
Come, for time is flying,
Haste, thy lamp is dying; [Refrain]
“Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters” by Phoebe J. Hanaford
Many of us have led ministries and Bible studies, raised children, or prayed fervently for others with seemingly little effect. During those times, when our perseverance begins to wear thin, Satan tries to use our weakness to his advantage, whispering lies like, “Why try? She never listens to you. Her heart is too hard.” Or, “Why continue praying? Surely if they were going to receive God’s gift of salvation, they would have done so already.”
We know, however, that God’s timing is often much different than ours and His patience much greater. Therefore, may we follow the advice recorded in Phoebe Hanaford’s hymn to “cast [our] bread upon the waters, thinking not ‘tis thrown away.” For “God has said thou shalt gather rich rewards some future day. … God shall send a bounteous harvest if thou sowest with lib’ral hand.”
We’re to share the gospel, whenever and however we can. God alone has the power to bring fruit from our words.
Lyrics:
“Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Ye who have but scant supply;
Angel eyes will watch above it;
You shall find it by and by;
He who in his righteous balance,
Doth each human action weigh,
Will your sacrifice remember,
Will your loving deeds repay.
“Cast thy bread upon the waters;
Sad and weary, worn with care,
Wherefore sitting in the shadow?
Surely you’ve a crumb to spare.
Can you not to those around you
Sing some little song of hope,
As you look with longing vision
Thro’ faith‘s mighty telescope?
“Cast thy bread upon the waters,”
Ye who have abundant store;
It may float on many a billow,
It may strand on many a shore;
You may think it lost forever,
But, as sure as God is true,
In this life, or in the other,
It will yet return to you.