I went to college at Bob Jones University.  One of the things I enjoyed the most at BJU was the congregational singing.  Part of what made the singing so good was the sheer size of the congregation.  5000 people comprise a fairly large choir.  Another aspect was the organ.  They have a monster organ at BJU.  Obviously, a monster organ is necessary to lead such a massive congregation.

One of the commonly sung hymns at BJU is a text by Charles Wesley – Arise, My Soul, Arise.  We would sing it to the tune LENOX.  It was a song that I was not familiar with prior to my time at BJU, but once I learned it, it quickly became one of my favorite hymns.  To my knowledge, we have only sung it once at FBC.  It was during one of the recent College & Career led services.

Read through the five stanzas below and be encouraged.  I have included some of my thoughts in blue.

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice (Christ) in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety (Christ) stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He (Christ) ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds (2 hands, 2 feet, 1 side) He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
(His wounds plead for me!  What a thought!)
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
(Praise God, He cannot turn away!)
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled (to me!); His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.