AMAZING GRACE

JULY 13, 2020

By Karen Makishima, Director of Family Life Ministries

Pastor Steve ended his sermon two Sundays ago with a music video of Amazing Grace, one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world. John Newton wrote this Christian hymn in 1772, and it is fascinating to know what brought about the writing of the song. 

Newton had a lot to overcome in life. His father was out to sea often as a ship’s mariner. When he was six years old, he lost his mother to tuberculosis and was raised by his non-nurturing stepmom. He spent several years in a boarding school where he was mistreated. He became headstrong and made many unhealthy life choices. He was a young sailor with a sailor’s mouth and was often found drunk. He was known to write obscene poems (and sang them) about the captain. Newton was also involved in the Atlantic Slave Trade by transporting slaves across the ocean.

In 1748, while at sea, a fierce storm arose. One of the crew  members fell overboard. Fearing for his life, Newton tied himself to the ship while bailing water for hours. In his fear he cried out to God to have mercy on him. And God heard this wretched man’s cry. 

As a result, Newton encountered a conversion experience with His maker, and a transformation of his heart began to happen. Out of his gratitude to God for saving his life, he wrote the now beloved hymn: “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found was blind but now I see.”

Sometime after his great deliverance, Newton became an abolitionist by joining forces with William Wilberforce, a leader of the movement seeking to end the slave trade. 

Who would have thought that Newton’s conversion would have such an impact on our world today? Hearing people from all around the world sing the hymn at the end of the worship service two weeks ago was AMAZING! Fifty countries were represented, with each representative singing Amazing Grace in their own native tongue. It was incredibly beautiful. Many of us were shedding tears as we listened. It was as if God was giving us a taste of what heaven will be like––all ethnicities coming together thanking God for having mercy on each of us. If you’ve not seen the music video, you can watch it here.

Thank you, John Newton, for crying out to our Savior and penning your life in a powerful song that has meant so much from generation to generation.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV)

Prayer: Thank you Father for the amazing grace that you have to save a wretch like me. As the prodigal daughter (or son), I have now come home; or the blind woman (or man), I now see. This is grace and I am grateful. Amen

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