Amazing Grace.
On Christmas morning 2006 we would do well to remember the Amazing Grace of Almighty God in sending into His world a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

John Newton on January 1st. 1773 wrote in his diary.
“This is the ninth New Year’s day I have seen in this place. I have reason to say the Lord crowneth every year with his goodness. I am still favoured with strength, and with some liberty for my public work and hope the Lord is still pleased to work by me, for the edification of his people already called, and the awakening of sinners.

“I preached this forenoon from 1 Chronicles 17:16,17. Hope I was enabled to speak with some liberty, but found my own heart sadly unaffected.”

This extract from John Newton’s diary on that New Year’s Day in 1773 confirms the date of both the sermon based on this text and its accompanying hymn – Amazing Grace.

The coming New Year, 2007 is the bicentenary of the death of John Newton, (he died on 21 December 1807) what an appropriate time to draw attention to the background and meaning of this wonderful hymn.

Amazing grace: King David’s story 1 Chronicles 17 verse 16 & 17
"And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God."

In his sermon, Newton took three points from David’s life, using his customary reflections for a New Year: 1. look back 2. look around 3. look forward

1. The Lord reminded David in 1 Chronicles 17:7, “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.” David aside, said Newton, how about you and me? Where were we when the Lord began to show his love to us? Shouldn’t this remembrance fill us with humility and admiration?
Amazing grace… that saved a wretch like me!

2. The great promises God made to David filled him with wonder (v16). "Who am I, O Lord God… that you have brought me this far?” Just think, said Newton, of how many millions of dangers the Lord has preserved us from, before and since the day of our conversion, to bring us this far.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,I have already come.
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far.

3. David was overwhelmed at the Lord’s promise that his house would continue forever (v26). “O Lord, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant.” Likewise, for each of us, said Newton.
The Lord has promised good to me

God’ promises hold even to eternity, Newton pointed out. “We are travelling home to God. We shall soon see Jesus, and never complain of sin, sorrow, temptation or desertion any more.
God, who called me here below.
Will be forever mine.

John Newton drew valuable lessons from David’s grateful response. “The Lord bestows many blessings upon his people, but unless he likewise gives them a thankful heart, they lose much of the comfort they might have in them.” His advice on these points was to “accommodate them to our own use as a proper subject for our meditations on the entrance of a new year.”

Newton’s full sermon is on the John Newton Project website http://www.johnnewton.org/ and is also spread across the first few daily thoughts in 365 days with Newton published by Day One Publications.

Faith's review and expectations 1 Chronicles 17:16,17

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace those fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779, Book 1, Hymn 41

May we all have a Happy Christmas and a very happy and fruitful New Year as we experience more of His Amazing Grace so wonderfully displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ.