REDEEMED, HOW I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT

It is no surprise how often we will come to a hymn that the famous blind hymnist, Fanny Crosby wrote.  Her hymns always mention some of her favourite words:  redeemed…love…proclaim…lamb…mercy…forever. 

Fanny was seldom at a loss for words, and so often her words for a hymn would come in response to a tune she would receive from one of her friends who composed music; this time she found inspiration with a tune from William Kirkpatrick.

Fanny loved to tell anyone of the ever-deepening relationship she had with Jesus Christ.  One June day, she met with a group of children under an old apple tree.  She thrilled them as she recited a few of her poems and told them stories.  Then she pulled out her wordless book and explained to the children of the significance of each of the colours…black, red, white and gold.  When she got to the red page, in her own words she told the children, “Red is for blood, and I want you always to remember that you are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ…unto Him be honour and praise forever”. For these children, the hope in God’s redemption was that He will never forget who He has redeemed! 

As Fanny’s hymn says, “Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am!”  REDEEMED, HOW I LOVE TO PROCLAIM IT, is a wonderful hymn of assurance for us all.