From: Paul Gage
Welcome to December, 2020,
Remember how just a few short months ago we were entering 2020 and many were wondering what "Our vision" might be for this year? What are you thinking now? We could say we got blindsided, but that is only our view. God knew it was all coming. Praise His Holy Name! That is why we must always try to keep God in focus in our lives and not be sidetracked from Zion by rumors, and all the other devices Satan uses to distract us.
We are now on Day Five of the Sixty Days Toward Zion, a daily devotional guide to help us on our journey toward Zion. This devotional is based on our hymns and in some way include something about Zion. The hymn for today, December 1, 2020, is "The Morning Breaks," number 440 in the Hymns of the Restoration. The hymn, written by Parley P. Pratt states in verse one,"The morning breaks, the shadows flee; Lo, Zion's standard is unfurled! The dawning of a brighter day Majestic rises on the world."
Though so many things are happening in the whole world that are in direct conflict with God's laws and teachings, this topped off by the virus and whatever else may follow, it is the dawning of a brighter day, because Zion is closer. It is so easy to look on the dark side, but that is not where the Light of Christ can be found.
The tune to today's hymn was written by John Hatton. Very little is known about him, except he was from England and had no connection to the Restoration. However, he is connected because he has five hymns in our current hymnal that are to the tune of today's hymn. Authors of the other hymns are Isaac Watts, John Wesley, Earl Curry and Eliza Snow. The other hymns are:15 "From All that Dwells Below the Skies, 137 Jesus Shall Reign, 168 Awake O Israel Awake (Curry) and 511 Awake Ye Saints of God Awake.
Two of these hymns tell us to "Awake," and today's hymn. "The Morning Breaks." Do you suppose the Lord is telling us to wake up and help bring forth Zion? The last verse of today's hymns goes as follows: "Angels from heaven and truth from earth have met and both have record borne; Thus Zion's light is bursting forth to bring her ransomed children home."
The Sixty Days Toward Zion is on the CRE website at eldersconference.org. If you know someone who does not have internet, maybe you could offer to run off a copy for them. A hymnal is most helpful.
We encourage all leaders of the Conference of Restoration Elders, Pastors of Zion, Pastors of Central Missouri and other regional leaders to circulate the Sixty Days Toward Zion and have copies available at each branch or group. Another idea is to call a Saint each day and share the hymn with them and have prayer. you can also share by face book, email, and texting.
Remember, we are Marching to Zion!
God bless
Paul Gage
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