Another Tear is Dawning

Another Year is Dawning

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

BIBLE REFERENCE:

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; Isaiah 61:1-2

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42

At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. Daniel 11:29

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Psalms 130:5-6

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalms 25:5

Frances R. Havergal - Lyrics
1836 - 1879

Born: December 14, 1836, Astley, Worcestershire, England.
Died: June 3, 1879, Caswall Bay, near Swansea, Wales.
Buried: Astley, Worcestershire, England, the city of her birth.
On her tomb stone was the Scripture verse she claimed as her own:
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Samuel Sebastian Wesley - Compser
1810-1876

Born: August 14, 1810, London, England.
Died: April 19, 1876, Gloucester, England.
Buried: Exeter, England.

HYMN HISTORY:

Francis Ridley Havergal was born on December 14, 1836, at Astley, Worcestershire, England into a cultured, religious family. Her father, William Havergal, was an influential Anglican clergyman, who for many years was involved in improving and composing English hymnology. At the age of three, Frances could read, and at the age of seven, she was already writing verses. She received her education at English and German boarding schools and enjoyed exceptional advantages of culture and travel. She became a natural linguist, mastering French, German, Italian, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Miss Havergal was also a devoted Bible student, memorizing much of the New Testament as well as the Psalms. Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets. She was a brilliant pianist and interpreter of the music of the masters, especially Handel, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven, and was a gifted singer. Her numerous little books of poems and hymn texts are now treasured all over England and America. Perhaps the keynote of them is her own expression: “Thy will be done is not a sigh, but only a song.”

Frail in health all her life, Miss Havergal on day caught a severe cold which caused inflammation of the lungs. When told that her life was in danger time became very precious to her. It was during this time that she wrote her hymn, “Another Year is Dawning,” and her prayer was to live to see the dawning of a new year. Though she lingered for several months she resolved her soul to the Lord’s will. And though she anticipated another year of service for her Lord, she was torn with the idea of her possible homecoming. She exclaimed, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true!” At another time she responded, “Splendid! To be so near the gates of heaven.” At the very end, it is reported that she sang clearly, but faintly, one of her hymns, “Jesus, I Will Trust Thee, Trust Thee With My Soul.” And then according to reports by her sister,

She looked up steadfastly, as if she saw the Lord; and surely nothing less heavenly could have reflected such a glorious radiance upon her face. For ten minutes we watched that almost visible meeting with her King, and her countenance was so glad, as if she were already talking to Him! Then she tried to sing; but after one sweet, high note her voice failed, and her brother commended her soul into the Redeemer’s hand, she passed away.

Francis Havergal died at the early age of forty-two on June 3, 1879, at Swansea, Wales. On her tombstone at Astley, Worcestershire, is carved her favorite text, 1 John 1:7 --”The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

The composer of this music, Samuel S. Wesley, was born in London, England, on August 14, 1810. He was the grandson of Charles Wesley and was recognized as one of the leading church musicians of his day. He received his Doctorate in Music from Oxford University when only twenty-nine years of age. He composed a great deal of church service music as well as a number of original hymn tunes. This tune, known as “Aurelia,” taken from the word “Aureus,” the Latin word for “golden,” was originally compose for the hymn text “Jerusalem the Golden.” It was first matched with Stone’s text in 1868 for use at the Bishops’ Lambeth Conference.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12

Now that the year is coming to a close many will be setting goals of making resolutions of things that they want to accomplish in upcoming year.

Most resolutions have to with health: lose some weight, lower cholesterol, exercise more.

Others have to do with financial: change to a better job, move to a bigger home.

Still others may have to do with other personal improvements like getting a degree, but all fall short with the plan God has for us.

The Word of God tells us that we are to number our days because no one knows how much time each has been allotted to us by God. The Word of God tell us that this life is but a vapour.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14

So what does the Word of God say we should do with this life? We are to apply our hearts unto wisdom.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12

How do we receive wisdom from God? The Word of God simply states that all we need to do is ask.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

But that is not all. Most people read that verse but fail to read the next verse which begins with the word but.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6

We need to ask in faith believing that God through the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the truth of the Scriptures. But there is also a warning in the verse, and that is we are not to waver. If God reveals things to us that we are doing wrong and we fail to heed to those warning and purge things that are contrary to the Word of God, we are described as the waves of the sea going back and forth. What we are really doing is justifying in our minds our version of truth and not what the Bible teaches.

What are some of the things the Holy Spirit wants to teaches us?:

The things of God :

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

The things of Christ:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13-14

He reveals the Future (Prophecy) :

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Luke 2:25-26

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Acts 21:11

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 1:1

He brings the words of Christ to remembrance :

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

He directs in the way of godliness :

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27

He enables ministers to teach:

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12:7-8

He guides into all truth :

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:25-26

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13-14

But to Receive truth we need to have the Spirit of God dwelling inside us otherwise the verse above will seem foolishness to you. The Bible tells us:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

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