5 Powerful Ways “Blessed Assurance” Encourages Us in Our Faith Today
- Whitney Hopler Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Published Jul 26, 2024
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“Blessed Assurance” is a classic hymn that is still relevant today for its powerful message about the confidence and peace we can experience with Jesus. This cherished song originated in 1873, with music composed by Phoebe Knapp and lyrics written by Fanny Crosby. Despite being blind, Crosby wrote more than 8,000 hymns, many of which remain popular in worship services worldwide. The enduring popularity of “Blessed Assurance” comes from its ability to inspire and encourage believers worldwide.
Let’s explore 5 ways “Blessed Assurance” continues to encourage us in our faith today.
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1. The assurance of salvation.
Slide 1 of 5The hymn begins by declaring: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!/Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!” This opening line highlights the joy that comes from being assured that we will live forever in heaven with God, thanks to the saving work Jesus did for us on the cross. Assurance of salvation is the confidence that, through our faith in Jesus, our souls are eternally saved from death. Jesus promises in John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” This assurance gives us a deep sense of security and peace, knowing that our salvation is not based on our own efforts, but on Jesus’ finished work on the cross. It is comforting to know that our eternal destiny is held firmly in the hands of our Creator.
The Bible describes this confidence in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The song “Blessed Assurance” reminds us of this unshakable truth, inspiring us to face the challenges in our lives with unwavering faith. This assurance anchors our souls in real hope, especially during times of doubt, fear, or uncertainty. “Blessed Assurance” focuses our attention on the greatest gift of all: our salvation, secured by Jesus’ sacrifice and guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection.
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2. Joy in our relationships with Jesus.
Slide 2 of 5The refrain of “Blessed Assurance” says: “This is my story, this is my song,/Praising my Savior all the day long.” This line highlights the deep joy we find in relationships with Jesus – joy that comes directly from God and is accessible in any circumstances. The Bible encourages us in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” This command to rejoice is not dependent on any type of circumstances but on the unchanging nature of our relationships with Jesus. In Nehemiah 8:10, we find another affirmation of this joy: “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
This joy is a source of strength, enabling us to endure any kind of challenging situation. The joy that “Blessed Assurance” describes is not just an emotion but a deep confidence that comes from connecting with God’s presence. Joy is an overflow of the relationships we have with Jesus. This joy can keep us grounded in the truth that God is with us and for us. It transforms our perspective, helping us to see beyond our present circumstances to the eternal reality of God’s love for us. The joy that “Blessed Assurance” celebrates also serves as a powerful testimony to others, showing them the positive difference that our relationships with Jesus make in our lives. As we live out this joy, we invite others to experience the same assurance that is a blessing to us.
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3. Inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
Slide 3 of 5“Blessed Assurance” points out in the last part of the first verse that we are “Born of his Spirit” and the second verse begins: “Perfect submission, perfect delight,/Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.” This speaks to the experience of living in the power of the Holy Spirit, which is characterized by seeking God’s will and enjoying spiritual revelations that help us grow in holiness. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These qualities manifest in our lives as we rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, bringing us true delight and fulfillment. Romans 8:14 reveals: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
Living in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and influence our lives. It involves an ongoing surrender to God’s will, trusting that God’s plans for us are truly best. It also involves allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our character and decisions. “Blessed Assurance” reminds us that we can enjoy living in harmony with the Holy Spirit. The perfect submission to God’s will that the song mentions brings about a profound sense of peace that helps us enjoy our lives to the fullest. We begin to see the world through God’s eyes, gaining spiritual insights that transform our perspective. Living in the Spirit also empowers us to live out our faith authentically and boldly, showing others how God is changing our lives for the better.
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4. Confidence in God’s promises.
Slide 4 of 5The hymn also instills confidence in God’s promises. “Blessed Assurance” describes receiving “Echoes of mercy, whispers of love” from God through God’s messengers, the angels. It also describes true fulfillment with these lyrics: “… all is at rest,/I in my Savior am happy and blessed.” The entire song is a declaration of trust in God’s faithfulness. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, the Bible assures us: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” This verse tells us that all of God’s promises find their fulfillment in Jesus, so we can confidently rely on God to keep his promises to us. Hebrews 10:23 urges us: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
The song “Blessed Assurance” reminds us of this steadfast hope, encouraging us to fully rely on God’s promises. This kind of confidence can help us remain hopeful and steadfast in our faith, knowing that God will faithfully do whatever he has promised us he will do. When we struggle with worry, the truths expressed in “Blessed Assurance” can strengthen our trust in God’s unfailing promises and inspire us to live boldly. God’s promises give us strength from day to day. As we think about God’s promises and see them fulfilled in our lives, our faith grows stronger. Singing “Blessed Assurance” is a powerful way to remind ourselves that God’s promises are completely trustworthy.
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5. The hope of heaven.
Slide 5 of 5The hymn also emphasizes our hope of a wondrous future in heaven, with these lyrics: “Watching and waiting, looking above,/Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.” This anticipation of eternal life with God can motivate us right now to center every part of our lives around our relationships with God. Colossians 1:27 speaks of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This hope is a driving force in our lives, reminding us that our current suffering in this broken world is temporary, and we can one day move on to the future glory that awaits us in heaven. Titus 2:13 encourages us to wait “… for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” This hope can sustain us through difficult times, knowing that God has a better future waiting for us.
“Blessed Assurance” reinforces this hope, encouraging us to remain steadfastly faithful as we look forward to seeing Jesus in heaven, and to Jesus’ return to Earth someday. This hope is not just a distant dream; it’s a certain reality promised by God. It gives us perspective and endurance, helping us to deal with our challenges with a sense of purpose and anticipation. The hope that “Blessed Assurance” celebrates gives us confidence that every faithful choice we make in our lives now will be rewarded and every challenge we go through will be redeemed in God’s perfect timing.
In conclusion, “Blessed Assurance” remains a timeless hymn that continues to encourage and inspire believers around the world today. Its message of the assurance of salvation, joy in relationships with Jesus, inspiration from the Holy Spirit, confidence in God’s promises, and the hope of heaven resonates deeply in our souls when we sing it.
“Blessed Assurance,” with its rich spiritual content and uplifting music, invites us to experience the best lives possible – both now and in the future – by living each day with full faith in God. It encourages us to live out our faith with confidence and joy, trusting God and looking forward to noticing the wonder of God’s work in our lives every single day. As we embrace the message of “Blessed Assurance,” God will empower us to live each day to the fullest!
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