Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
John Newton, who penned these wonderful words to go alongside his New Year’s Day message in 1773 for the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’, was a man who faced many dangers, toils and snares. Having witnessed the crewman, who had taken his place on the ship The Greyhound, being swept overboard during a violent storm, Newton realised his helplessness and spent the rest of his life witnessing to the amazing grace of God despite the dangers, toils and snares he faced.
The Apostle Paul was another who wrote of the dangers that he faced in serving the Lord:
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was ship-wrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger at sea and in danger from false believers. (2 Corinthians 11 v 25-26)
Yet whilst he did face many dangers, Paul testified to the amazing grace of God through it all. Whilst we may not face the dangers, toils and snares that Paul faced, each one of us will face dangers, toils and snares of our own. As we do so, in spite of all that we are going through, may we testify and hold onto the truth that His grace has brought us safe thus far and His amazing grace will lead us home.
[written by Stuart Hunter]