Walter Chalmers Smith
I Timothy 1:15-17
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise LBW 526
1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise!
2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
3 To all, life thou givest, to both great and small; in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.
4 Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render; oh, help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!
Text: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908, alt.
This is not one of my favorites, I have always had a bit of theological heartburn with a hymn that describes God as “inaccessible” and “hid from our eyes”. But that is not fair to the text, or context of this hymn. It was written by Walter Smith, a pastor of the Scottish Free Church, the only hymn he wrote that we still use. And in these days of casual Christianity and flippant prayers perhaps it is good to be reminded of the ineffable quality of the God who exists above and beyond time. For after all, the central core of the Gospel proclamation is about how God; “immortal, invisible, only wise;” deigns to come down at Christmas and love the likes of me.
Prayer: God of heaven and earth, may we stand before you in awe. Help us realize that you are among us in the person of Jesus. And as we encounter your holiness in worship, as you empower us with simple elements of bread and wine, may we also encounter splendor of your revealed light! Amen.