The Shining Light

I really love the poetry of William Cowper (/ˈkuːpər/ KOO-pər; 26 November 1731 – 25 April 1800). Broken down he has some the most inspirational, quality prose ever composed. His timing as well as honest observation are far and away superior....a true gift of God. He grew up training to be a lawyer, became distraught and his "tortured soul" was committed to asylum due to insanity (possibly long range bi-polar disorder) where he attempted suicide the first three times. He had further bouts with depression, attempts at suicide and "insanity" often due to his fear of having strayed in his heart, having committed some unknown sin, and having become forever cemented in his destiny; a place in hell. He was eventually so consumed with the weight of his sin, and insanity, he committed suicide in April of 1800.

In the interim, he held a view, when lucid, of the law, grace and the word of God that was strikingly unique. Always peering in wonderment at the goodness and justice of God. I feel like I relate to him very strongly. Our common emotions, struggles with depression, and fatalism change how we look at the Bible, trust God, and feel His love.

This brings to light the struggles we have but I feel also, a concept. I personally do not hold entirely to the camp of Arminius or Calvin. I can say that I definitely lean in my heart one way and am checked in my head by another. I truly believe that, much as two people staring at a mountain from different sides, there are somethings they absolutely see with clarity but others are masked or incomplete. They argue with ferocious tenacity about the thing they see, unaware of their perspective of the same thing and that it maybe different from the other side and inevitably incomplete. I see, though, that the fatalist is worse served by Calvin and the indeterminate by Arminius, but in ether camp, one can be lead away into hopelessness, depression, and apathy (not to mention pride, self-righteousness...and hell), living in the saying of Job quoted in Job 34:9 "There is no profit in trying to please God." That is a statement, not only of hopelessness, but the abandonment of God he flirted with in his dire moments. I think that in some small amount this happened with him. It is, as I believe, the closer we draw to Christ we feel both that we want to choose Him but also take comfort in Him choosing us before we had the choice. When we fall we know there is forgiveness in the moment and before time itself existed.

Thankfully through the Lords work and Job's honest prayers and petitions to God, the Lord reveled Himself to Job. Job's response was right...in adversity, run to the light of God. The slanderer, our enemy the devil, desires for us to separate, to isolate ourselves, and wallow in our own pride or failings. That is why I really love the two hymns I combined of his here: The Shining Light, and The Light And Glory Of The Word. Cowper shows the hopelessness of our position under the Law, but the Light of God's word and Spirit, are a gift more precious than anything attainable on earth. They are truly "a light that gives to every age, it gives and borrows none." Run to God, lead by the light of His word and Spirit and He will be found.

you can listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/thedivisiontree/the-shining-light
The chords below are actual but can be played as bar cords or basic versions....don't get distraught by the sus and 9ths. Feel free to capo when you've figured out what key is comfortable to you.

The Shining Light

(tuning that I use CGCFBbD)

words by William Cowper, Music By Paul H. 

      D#maj9

My former hopes are fled,

           Gm7

     My terror now begins;

  D#maj9

I feel, alas! that I am dead

         Gm7

     In trespasses and sins.

      D#maj9

Ah, whither shall I fly?

       Gm7

     I hear the thunder roar;

       D#maj9

The Law proclaims Destruction nigh,

            Gm7

     And Vengeance at the door.

D#maj9, Gm add9, Gm, Bb add9

D#maj9, Gm add9

  D#maj9

I see, or I think I see,

        Gm7

     A glimm’ring from afar;

   D#maj9

A beam of day, that shines for me,

          Gm7

     To save me from despair.

         D#maj9

Fore-runner of the sun,

       Gm7

    It marks the pilgrim’s way;

     D#maj9

I’ll gaze upon it while I run,

             Gm7

     And watch the rising day.

D#maj9, Gm add9, Gm, Bb add9

D#maj9, Gm add9

Faster

Bb add9, D#maj9, Gm, D#maj9

Bb add9, D#maj9, Gm, D#maj9

        Bb add9             D#maj9

The Spirit breathes upon the word,
        Gm                      D#maj9

And brings the truth to sight;
      Bb add9           D#maj9

Precepts and promises afford
   Gm             D#maj9

A sanctifying light.

    Bb add9         D#maj9

A glory gilds the sacred page,
     Gm               D#maj9

Majestic like the sun;
   Bb add9          D#maj9

It gives a light to every age,
   Gm                         D#maj9

It gives, but borrows none.

Fsus4 6^th, D#maj9, Fsus4 6^th

       Bb add9              D#maj9

The hand that gave it still supplies
       Gm                       D#maj9

The gracious light and heat;
       Bb add9          D#maj9

His truths upon the nations rise,
         Gm                  D#maj9

They rise, but never seat.

      Bb add9    D#maj9

Let everlasting thanks be thine,
      Gm                     D#maj9

For such a bright display,
     Bb add9               D#maj9

As makes a world of darkness shine
        Gm                          D#maj9

With beams of heavenly day.

Fsus4 6th

      D#maj9

My soul rejoices to pursue
       Gm7

The steps of Him I love,
      D#maj9

Till glory break upon my view
    Gm7

In brighter worlds above. (repeat)

D#maj9, Gm add9, Gm, Bb add9