Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Philippians 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Yes, Jesus is the sweetest name I know!
It was an absolute joy to wake up to this chorus, one that I have sang many times.
I was struck last night by a line from a song that was sung early in the Men's Conference. It said, "JESUS, something special, about your name. JESUS, something happens when I mention Your Name." I can say with almost total certainty, I have never heard this song before. But there is something amazing about the name of Jesus, just to mention it, something happens. I think of Connie and Roger singing "What A Lovely Name" the other Sunday morning, beautifully arm in arm. I could go on and on about songs about the name of Jesus, like "There's Something About That Name", and "Oh, How I Love Jesus". But something does happen when we mention the name of Jesus.
Last night one of the speakers talked about how would we be remembered, what would our legacy be? Will it be like a 20 second moment of silence and then everyone goes on with their lives? As I was trying to begin to write about this morning's song, I thought this applies so well to Lela B. Long, the writer of "Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know." Quoting from hymnary.org:
"She’s an almost unknown personality, except for the song associated with her name. Perhaps that’s the way Lela B. Long wanted it…to be faceless, almost nameless, in favor of making His name more well-known. “Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know” must have been a statement her family and friends could remember her saying, but we don’t have to rely on any published biography to learn this. She recorded her opinion for us. What opinions do I have that I would want to survive me? Just any pontification probably wouldn’t last, but what makes Lela’s opinion notable is that it strikes a chord with us still today.
There’s not much information on Lela B. Long, other than a record with the words she wrote that suggests the song was written prior to 1925. That would suggest she was an adult who was born in the late 19th or early 20th Century, and went on to eternity prior to the end of the 20th Century. She must have had some affinity with people she knew, including unspoken names she says in verse one had moved her emotionally. But, she makes it clear that those names paled next to ‘Jesus’. Why would His name be so special to Long? Had she been affected by poor health, or events of her time like World War I, which robbed its survivors of friends and loved ones? What life circumstances drew her toward Him? We only know that she wrote three verses and a refrain to carry her message, though most often we hear only the refrain. She has us say repeatedly throughout the refrain that He’s genuine, as authentic and loveable as one can imagine Him. Isn’t that really the root of love, that this person to whom I cling is not a fake, but true? He’s worth my worship, she declares."
Through the words she penned of her love for the name of Jesus, she has a legacy, a lot more than a mere 20 second moment of silence. And I believe this is the only song she has been credited for writing. It will be that of so many songs of old that will stand the test of time.
"There have been names that I have loved to hear, But never has there been a name so dear To this heart of mine, as the name divine, The precious, precious name of Jesus.
Refrain: Jesus is the sweetest name I know, And He’s just the same as His lovely name, And that’s the reason why I love Him so; Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know."
Just a little note that you might appreciate. It is true, last night, I did not recognize the songs being sung. I tried to view the screen and sing along but you know me and it was a little difficult. I need more practice. However, at one point, there was an old hymn sang, "At Calvary". The words were the same but the melody a bit different from what I know, but I tried to sing anyway. I've got to get out more. LOL
I hope you have a beautiful Saturday!
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