I was recently asked to name my favorite praise song or hymn of all time. Several tunes flitted through my mind. Matt Maher’s “Lord, I Need You” is a definite favorite, along with “It is Well with My Soul”, “He Hideth my Soul”, “He Leadeth Me” and “Great is thy Faithfulness”. But the one song that whispers peace to my heart like no other is Fanny Crosby’s “Blessed Assurance”. 

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

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.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

I’ve pondered the mysterious beauty of this treasure many times, yet I’ve still not searched the depths of why this particular song tugs on my spirit so deeply. It’s more than the soaring melody, or the words of the chorus, custom made for an author and singer, “This is my story, this is my song”. What calls to me is much deeper than that. 

I have a rare personality type. According to psychologists, people with my personality type make up less than 2% of the population. I often feel lonely and misunderstood, as if I’m a stranger watching my loved ones from an observation point. I can see their struggles. I understand their motivations and have a keen instinct for being able to pinpoint their wounds, yet when it comes to myself, I feel trapped behind a glass case. Strangely, I like it that way. It feels…safe.

In a world where drama and confusion are the norm, my spirit is at rest. I have peace. When people abuse my boundaries and take more than I can give, God reminds me that no one can steal my relationship from Him. Jesus is mine. He whispers love to me when I feel lonely. He sees the girl hiding behind glass. And when I’m tempted to think I’m drowning in my own thoughts, the enemy’s lies, my own corroded emotions, or the hundreds of voices pulling at me for attention, He gently reminds me that if I’m to feel lost, He wants me only to be lost in His love. Lavished. Plumbing the depths until every hollow space of my heart echoes with his mercy.

No one can snatch me from His hand. Not even my own rebellious attempts to do things my own way. I’m His. He bought me with His blood. I am His heir and joy. 

Blessed assurance indeed.

Do you have a favorite song or hymn? What speaks peace and love to your heart? I would love to hear!