Day 13: Amazing Grace -John Newton

Can You Have Amazing Grace?

Two weeks before his seventh birthday, young John lost his mother. His father was a rough and tough sea captain and John took up the sailor's life at that impressionable age. He was led into a life of drinking, anger and unimaginable cruelty. His father left him in Africa at one point where he was enslaved by a princess and treated horribly. Upon returning to a navy ship he tried to desert but ended up becoming a captain in the slave-trade. He transported slaves on his ship for multiple years treating them abhorrently.

Imagine meeting this tragic figure on the street. Would you have grace for him? It's easy to think that you would initially, but really imagine the meeting… a racist, cruel, murdering, drunken sailor with apparently no redeeming qualities.

This man had an experience that changed his life. During a storm at sea, with a gaping hole in his ship, about to die, he prayed to God to save them. Miraculously, cargo broke loose and slid across completely filling the hole and slowing the incoming water enough that the ship could be saved. Afterward, John retired from the slave trade and became a minister. He penned 280 hymns for his congregation including "Amazing Grace" and worked with William Wilberforce to completely stop the slave trade in England. He wrote the pamphlet that convinced England to change its ways which you can read in the link below.

Thoughts on the African Slave Trade -by John Newton

Knowing the history of John Newton helps to bring new depth to the words of Amazing Grace. It is not only amazing grace that God has for us but amazing grace that we are called to have for others. When you meet someone who is terribly cruel and horrible know that God can change them and bring change through them. God doesn't cancel people for their past. He forgives them and gives them a future, a hope, and life following after Him.

Consider the lyrics of the beloved song again with this in mind.

Lyrics

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone -Chris Tomlin Version

Final Thoughts

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Check out my analysis of these other hymns, if you're interested:

Comments

AnonymousJuly 30, 2022 at 5:07 AM
Incredible to think about the impact this song has had on the world, across cultures, languages, etc.
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Bucket Full of Grace

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