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"Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name—the Name You gave Me" (John 17:11).

One of the great hymns of the Church is "All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name."  I often refer to music in this series and I am aware that not all songs will necessarily be familiar to all readers.  But I believe most of you, regardless of your age, denominational background, or wherever in this world you live, have probably heard and sung this song. Brooksyne recently read a remarkable story concerning this song we would like to share today.

It was written in 1779 by Edward Perronet and has been an influential hymn ever since. It also has a place in missionary history, being greatly used in evangelistic endeavors.  Missionary E.P. Scott   wrote about a remarkable experience he had while trying to share the Gospel with a savage tribe in India.  Ignoring the pleadings of his friends, he set off into the dangerous territory.  After arriving he met a large party of warriors who surrounded him, their spears pointed at his heart.

Expecting to die at any moment, Scott took out his violin, breathed a prayer, closed his eyes, and began singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!"  When he reached the words, "Let every kindred, every tribe," he opened his eyes.  There stood the warriors, some in tears with every spear lowered.  Scott spent the next two years evangelizing the tribe.*   In God's providential care He was protected.

The daily text is taken from our Lord's high priestly prayer before He went to the cross. It's essentially divided in three parts.
    1) Jesus prays for Himself (John 17:1-5)
    2) Jesus prays for His disciples (John 17:6-19)
    3) Jesus prays for all believers (John 17:20-26)

Jesus knew the tremendous price His initial disciples would pay in following Him.  It is commonly believed that all but one of them (John) died the death of a martyr.  He invokes the Name above all Names as he prays for them. "Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name—the Name You gave Me."

There is power in the Name and all over this terrestrial ball the powerful Name of Jesus is being proclaimed on this day.  Some of my brethren will pay dearly for taking a stand, some even joining the ranks of the scores of martyrs. They are no less protected than I am since the ultimate protection of God's care is when He eventually ushers us into our eternal home.

Today, wherever we are, let us faithfully continue to proclaim the all powerful name of Jesus!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, Scripture tells us that at the last judgment every created being from every tribe and nation will bow upon hearing Your name.  Every tongue will confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  We, as the redeemed, look forward to that glorious day when all of creation will acknowledge You as Lord. But our hearts cry out for family members and other loved ones who will be forced to acknowledge You as Lord, rather than joyfully declaring Your Lordship on that judgment day.  Help us to live pure and blameless lives and renew our passion for reaching those in our generation with the Word of Life.  Amen.

Brooksyne's Note:  Edward Perronet died on Jan. 22, 1792 where he was pastoring a small independent church.  The last words he spoke were "Glory to God in the height of His divinity!  Glory to God in the depth of His humanity!  Glory to God in His all-sufficiency!  Into His hands I commend my spirit." To his final breath Mr. Perronet had clear Biblical doctrine and a sound mind.  Wow, what a way to go!

* The story is from this series:
Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2  By Robert J. Morgan / Thomas Nelson  This set includes Then Sings My Soul Volume 1 and 2.


In today's podcast the background music is that wonderful song "All Hail the Power" played by Brooksyne!

"All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name" (from the service of Willingdon Church in Canada)  Audio    Video

Additional note: This is really an outstanding story but we really have been unable to find additional details. For instance I wonder if the tribesmen knew the language or if the music of the song touched them or if God supernaturally revealed the meaning of the words to them.  The story and Scripture verse sure have prompted some additional theological ponderings on my part. Actually it's a verse I have read many times but never really recall focusing on. God's protective care is not arbitrary but is surely expressed in different ways. We may tend to limit it to just the sense of deliverance such as experienced by the missionary but in that case how do we deal with the scores of martyrs? In that case is God's protective care somehow faulty? Absolutely not! Surely the protective care extends primarily to the spiritual realm and we will understand this better by and by.