Which verses would you take to the desert island?
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
I remember Geoff Thomas stressing the importance of this verse, it's
something that's always stayed with me. He was saying how unique the Lord Jesus
was in His teaching. How far apart He stands from the crowds of other secular
and religious teachers who offer ideas, thoughts and lifestyles. My saviour
offers Himself. He gives me Himself to go to and cast my cares upon. In answer
to my most pressing needs Jesus offers me Jesus. The temple soldiers were spot
on: ‘No one ever spoke like this man!’
Those words of Jesus are so pregnant with grace I can't think of them
without my heart breaking into doxology. How great is Jesus’ love for sinners!
There’s nothing more valuable than what He freely gives.
Who
would you like to find on the island for company?
I see that Robert Murray McCheyne and Thomas Watson are already hanging out
on other people’s islands, so I’m going to have to say Dr. Lloyd-Jones for
three reasons.
1) Reading his ‘Evangelistic Sermons at Aberavon’ blew my mind and
radically shaped my attitude and approach to preaching. I know that no matter
what we talked about, it would center on, revolve around and always return to
Christ, crucified.
2) Lloyd-Jones has had a tremendous second-hand influence on me. There are
four experienced ministers who were directly instrumental in my ministry: Geoff
Thomas (Aberystwyth), Malcolm Jones (Maes-y-cwmer), Bruce Powell and Andrew
Davies (both of whom I met as retired ministers in the Newport area). All of
them are heroes to me and all would point to Lloyd-Jones as a seminal influence
in their lives. I’d love to sit down with a man who was so used of God, that
through his ministry, the Spirit raised up so many faithful servants of the
church.
3) Lloyd-Jones knew how to dress for the beach which is essential on a desert
Island. There’s a great photo in the first half of Iain Murray’s biography of
‘The Doctor’ on a Pembrokeshire beach in a full three piece suit, hands clasped
over a book.
Which song would you take to the island?
I’ve got a brain that remembers lyrics, so I’d be
taking a whole mental hymnbook. But among those I’d be singing most frequently
would be a couple of Wesley’s. Jesu’, Lover of My Soul has the double comfort of
soul warming words and a soul stirring tune in ‘Aberystwyth’. My time as a student
in that town is one I remember very fondly (the tune was written in my old GP’s
surgery!) so I’m always glad to have that tune in my mouth and the Christ
glorifying words in my heart.
Oh Jesus Full of Truth and Grace is the hymn I would need when I inevitably fall
into sin (Yes, even on a desert island). I once sat in Aberystwyth Salvation
Army hall listening to a blind preacher speaking on Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it
out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than
that your whole body be thrown into hell. I remember him saying, “I’ve never sinned with my eye. But my mind
is still capable of creating most graphic, godless thoughts.”
A desert island might produce far fewer stimuli to sin, but my heart needs
no encouragement. However, it would crave this great hymn that tells me of
Jesus absolute sufficiency to forgive and restore fallen saints.
O Jesus, full of truth and
grace,
more full of grace than I of sin,
yet once again I seek Your face;
open Your arms, and take me in,
and feely my backslidings heal,
and love the faithless sinner still.
You know the way to bring me back,
my fallen spirit to restore:
O for Your truth and mercy’s sake,
forgive, and bid me sin no more;
the ruins of my soul repair,
and make my heart a house of prayer.
The stone to flesh again convert,
the veil of sin again remove;
sprinkle Your blood upon my heart,
and melt it by Your dying love;
this rebel heart by love subdue,
and make it soft, make it new.
Ah! Give me, Lord, the tender heart
that trembles at the approach of sin;
a godly fear of sin impart,
implant, and root it deep within,
that I may dread Your gracious power,
and never dare to offend You more.
more full of grace than I of sin,
yet once again I seek Your face;
open Your arms, and take me in,
and feely my backslidings heal,
and love the faithless sinner still.
You know the way to bring me back,
my fallen spirit to restore:
O for Your truth and mercy’s sake,
forgive, and bid me sin no more;
the ruins of my soul repair,
and make my heart a house of prayer.
The stone to flesh again convert,
the veil of sin again remove;
sprinkle Your blood upon my heart,
and melt it by Your dying love;
this rebel heart by love subdue,
and make it soft, make it new.
Ah! Give me, Lord, the tender heart
that trembles at the approach of sin;
a godly fear of sin impart,
implant, and root it deep within,
that I may dread Your gracious power,
and never dare to offend You more.
Charles Wesley, 1707-88
