PODCAST

Remember Your Salvation

July 14th, 2023

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Elvina was inspired.

Sitting in the choir loft, Elvina M. Hall (1820-89) grew weary as the pastor’s sermon went on and on. She began to think about the sacrifice Christ made on the cross, and a poem began to form in her mind. Having no paper, she grabbed a hymnal and jotted the words on a blank page.

Later, John T. Grape (1835–1915), organist at the same church, composed a tune for which he had no words. According to biographers, Elvina and John each shared their creations with the pastor. Eventually, the pastor realized the poem and music matched and brought writer and composer together. John’s music included a refrain, so Elvina added words to her poem. At the pastor’s urging, they sent the hymn to a music publisher.

Like many hymns, Elvina’s words have been edited since she wrote the poem in 1865, but it remains a testimony to the sacrifice Jesus made for us at Calvary. According to today’s scripture, we do not have to suffer the results of sin but can “receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 9).

Author: Karen Hiner