Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance was written by Fanny Crosby in 1873.  Fanny Crosby was a prolific hymn writer who also happened to be blind.  Apparently, Fanny's friend and tune writer, Phoebe P. Knapp, played a tune for Fanny and asked her what the tune said to her.  Fanny listened and replied, "It says, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine."  The rest of the words for this hymn just flowed from her.   

I love how the first verse talks about our position in Christ, knowing that what we have now is only a foretaste of what is to come.  The second verse is more of an emotional response.  I don't personally believe that her reference to the rapture means any eschatological event, but rather intense joy (a more common definition of rapture).  This matches with the "perfect delight" that she just mentioned.  It is even more inspiring when you envision this blind author having "visions of rapture burst on [her] sight."  The third verse anchors her emotional response with more scriptural truths (being at rest in Christ's finished work, being blessed in Christ, watching and waiting for His return...).

It's easy to see why this hymn is a classic and a favorite.

Blessed Assurance

by Fanny Crosby, 1873

Verse 1:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

1 Thessalonians 1:5  for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Hebrews 10:22-23 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Romans 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Hebrews 1:14 Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them [believers] who shall be heirs of salvation?

Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

1 John 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Refrain:

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness And Your praise all day long.

Verse 2:

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Psalm 40:8 "I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

1 Peter 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Speaking of angels in Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Verse 3:

Perfect submission, all is at rest

Hebrews 4:3,10 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. ... For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.