Hymns I love: Higher Ground

Hello People!!!

Happy New year. This year will be your year of announcement, acceleration, restoration and reconciliation. Remember to hold on to God like you've never done before. Be expectant and listen to the still small voice and not any whispering that negates the promises that God has for your life.

I must have sang this hymn 4 times out of the 6 days of this year already.:-)

Every time I sing it, it's like I get a new and deeper understanding of each verse. Today on the train while coming into work, I was singing it to myself again and once again I got something deeper. I mean I have known this hymn for most of my life time so how come now? Well I am understanding each verse better and applying it to my everyday life.

Brief History:

This hymn was written by Mr Johnson Oatman Jr. He is also the author of many popular hymns such as 'No not One' and Count your Blessings'

The composer of the music was Charles Gabriel who was considered to be the most popular and influential, gospel song writer during the evangelistic crusade
decade, 1910-20.

One of the Biblical References for this Hymn:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Comments made by others on this hymn include:

"There is not a heart but has it moments of longing, yearning for something better, nobler, holier than it knows now.” Henry Ward Beecher.

I can not but agree more with the above quote. Sometimes life seems like a cycle and sometimes that cycle comes with pain and endless routines. Sometimes one just wants something more: The ability to live above all the circumstances that surround and plague you.

Here are the lyrics:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.


My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.


I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are 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, plant my feet on higher ground.”

That's it people.

Keep looking unto Jesus: The Author and Finisher of our Faith.

VirtuousKelly
xxx

Sources:

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/HH_Higher_Ground.html