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As I was reading the verse from Philippians 2 for today, I was immediately reminded of a hymn which is probably not very well-known but it tells the story of this scripture text, especially the first stanza of the hymn.
The text to this hymn was written by Caroline Maria Noel, whose father was a Church of England clergyman and also a hymn writer. Caroline wrote some texts at the age of seventeen, but did not write again until the last twenty-five years of her life (from 1852 to 1877) when increasing illness led her to do so. The collection was entitled The Name of Jesus and Other Verses for the Sick and Lonely, 1861.
In these days of sickness and loneliness for so many -- how ironic that last Sunday's sermon theme was Facing Loneliness and Despair -- read these words and reflect upon them:
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him king of glory now.
It is God's good pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
At his voice creation sprang at once to sight, all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way, all the heavenly orders in their great array.
Humbled for a season, to receive a name from the lips of sinners unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last; brought it back victorious when from death he passed.
In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue all that is not holy, all that is not true.
Crown him as your captain in temptation's hour; let his will enfold you in its light and power.
Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again on the clouds of glory, with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow; and our hearts confess him king of glory now.
The prayer accompanying today's Daily Texts is very powerful, especially the third sentence in the prayer:
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