| “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). |
| “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23). |
| Isaac Watts lived a long time ago, back in the 17th and 18th centuries. He was born in 1674, and died in 1748. He lived all of his life in England, and if you ever get a chance to go to London, England, the cemetery where he is buried is worth a visit. His grave is in Bunhill Fields cemetery, where many good Christian hymn-writers are buried. |
| He was a very clever boy, and was able to write decent poetry by the time he was seven years old. As a teenager, his spiritual and poetical mind was upset by the poor quality of the hymns that they had in those days. One day he complained to his father about those hymns, and his father’s reaction was, “Then give us something better!” Isaac took up the challenge, and the next Sunday he presented his father with a good hymn, which they proceeded to learn. He went on to write many hymns throughout his lifetime, and today he is known as the father of English hymns. It was his example that provided the leadership and encouraged others also to start writing good hymns. As a result, there are probably more good Christian hymns in the English language than in any other single language in the world. You probably know some of his hymns, such as, “When we survey the wondrous cross,” “Alas! And did my Saviour bleed,” and “O God our help in ages past.” |
| You might wonder why I am telling you the story of Isaac Watts, but here was a boy who did what the Lord had given him to do, and he did it “with his might.” He used the ability that the Lord gave him, and used it in the right way. He brought blessing to countless numbers of people, and we are still singing his hymns today. |
| The Lord has something for each of us to do, and He wants us to do it well. Today there are some young people who do not take the trouble to do things well, and sad to say, there are older ones who do their work in a sloppy way too. Let us remember to do everything as if we were doing it for the Lord. He is the One we should really want to please. |
