It’s Thursday and I’m back to writing about poetry. I searched for something to add here and just didn’t find the perfect poem, so I thought I’d share the words to a hymn. It’s poetry…and its music…however, if you don’t know the hymn, you won’t know the melody and sing it in your head as I do when I read the words to a song.

Anyway, I thought of this beauty and wanted to share. The music for “And Can It Be?” was written in 1738 by Charles Wesley. It is recorded that Charles wrote this song soon after his conversion. In 1825, Thomas Campbell added the lyrics. These are powerful words, not just for Thomas and Charles, but each one of us.

It is difficult to understand how God could love us so much, but the fact is, He does. How precious we are to our heavenly Father!

So as you take a look at these words, remember where you were before you encountered Jesus. Thank God for His beautiful grace. Claim your crown. Live for Jesus.

“And Can It Be?”[i]

And can it be that I should gain an int’rest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race!

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, for, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirt lay fast found in sin and nature’s night.

Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray: I woke—the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread: Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine.

Bold I approach the eternal throne and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] “And Can It Be?,” words and music by Charles Wesley and Thomas Campbell, public domain, 1738 and 1825.