Embracing Personal Assurance in God's Love
Summary
The hymn "Blessed Assurance" holds a special place in the hearts of many, not only for its beautiful melody but for the deep truth it proclaims. Written in 1873 by Phoebe Palmer, a prolific composer and organist, and Fanny Crosby, a blind poet and hymn writer, this song emerged from a friendship rooted in faith and a shared commitment to serving others. Fanny Crosby, despite her blindness and humble circumstances, lived a life of generosity and spiritual depth, memorizing vast portions of Scripture and pouring her heart into thousands of hymns. The story of "Blessed Assurance" is a testament to the power of knowing, not just believing, that Jesus is ours.
The lyrics of the hymn are rich with imagery—“echoes of mercy, whispers of love,” and “filled with his goodness, lost in his love”—that capture the essence of assurance. This assurance is more than faith; it is the confident knowledge that God’s promises are true for each of us personally. Faith is trusting in God’s goodness and presence, even when we cannot fully understand or explain it. Assurance, on the other hand, is the certainty that these promises include us individually, that we are loved, forgiven, and welcomed by God.
Many of us wrestle with the difference between faith and assurance. Faith is the trust that God is good and that God loves the world, even when we cannot see the full picture. Assurance is the grounding conviction that God’s love and promises are not just for humanity in general, but for you and me specifically. It is easy to believe in God’s love for others, but sometimes difficult to accept that love for ourselves, especially in moments of doubt or anxiety.
The hymn’s chorus, “This is my story, this is my song,” invites us to claim this assurance as our own. It is not just a collective truth, but a personal one. We are called to let this assurance seep into our daily lives, giving us confidence and peace. Even when doubts arise or we feel unworthy, the invitation remains: to know, deep in our hearts, that Jesus is ours. As we grow in faith, may we also grow in assurance, cherishing both as gifts from God.
Key Takeaways
- The story behind "Blessed Assurance" reminds us that spiritual depth often grows out of adversity and humility. Fanny Crosby’s blindness and her life of service did not hinder her faith; instead, they deepened her assurance of God’s love. Her life challenges us to see our own struggles as places where God’s assurance can take root and flourish. [46:41]
- Faith and assurance, though related, are distinct. Faith is the trust we place in God’s goodness and presence, even when we cannot fully understand. Assurance is the confident knowledge that God’s promises are true for us personally, not just for others. This distinction invites us to move from abstract belief to concrete confidence in God’s love for us. [50:16]
- Many believers struggle with anxiety about their worthiness before God, especially in times of hardship or self-doubt. Assurance is the antidote to this anxiety, grounding us in the truth that God’s promises include us, even when we feel inadequate. It is not about having done enough, but about knowing we are loved and accepted by grace. [52:09]
- The language of community in our prayers and worship is important, but assurance calls us to internalize God’s love on a personal level. “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine” is an invitation to claim God’s promises for ourselves, not just as part of a group. This personal appropriation of God’s love transforms our relationship with God and shapes our daily living. [53:47]
- Growing in assurance often requires intentional reflection and community. Opportunities like small groups and study can help us move beyond doubts about our knowledge or worthiness, allowing us to encounter Jesus personally. Assurance is not a one-time achievement, but a journey of deepening trust and confidence in God’s love for us. [54:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Introduction to "Blessed Assurance"
[01:15] - The Story of Phoebe Palmer
[02:10] - Fanny Crosby’s Life and Faith
[04:05] - The Birth of the Hymn
[05:30] - The Hymn’s Poetic Imagery
[06:45] - The Hymn’s Impact in History
[08:00] - Faith vs. Assurance: Definitions
[10:00] - Faith: Trusting Without Seeing
[11:30] - Assurance: Knowing God’s Promises
[13:00] - Personalizing God’s Love
[14:00] - Wrestling with Doubt and Worthiness
[15:10] - The Invitation to Assurance
[16:30] - Growing in Assurance Through Community
[17:30] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Blessed Assurance
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### Bible Reading
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
> Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the difference between faith and assurance? [50:16]
2. What are some of the poetic phrases from "Blessed Assurance" that the pastor highlighted, and what do they describe? [46:41]
3. In Philippians 4:6, what does Paul instruct believers to do instead of being anxious?
4. How did Fanny Crosby’s life circumstances (her blindness and generosity) shape her understanding of assurance? [46:41]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that faith is trusting in God’s goodness, while assurance is knowing God’s promises are true for us personally. Why might it be easier to believe God loves others than to accept that love for ourselves? [51:26]
2. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 not to be anxious about anything. Why do you think anxiety about our worthiness before God is so common, even among people of faith? [52:50]
3. The hymn’s chorus says, “This is my story, this is my song.” What does it mean to claim assurance as a personal story, not just a collective truth? [53:47]
4. The pastor mentioned that assurance often grows through intentional reflection and community. How might being in a small group help someone move from faith to assurance? [54:48]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon described how Fanny Crosby’s assurance grew out of adversity and humility. Think about a struggle or hardship in your own life—how might God be using it to deepen your assurance of His love? [46:41]
2. The difference between faith and assurance was described as the difference between believing God is good and knowing that goodness includes you. Are there areas in your life where you trust God in general, but struggle to believe His promises are for you personally? What would it look like to move toward assurance in those areas? [51:26]
3. Paul’s command to “not be anxious about anything” can feel overwhelming. What is one specific anxiety you have about your relationship with God? How could you bring that to God in prayer this week? [52:50]
4. The hymn uses phrases like “echoes of mercy, whispers of love.” When have you experienced God’s mercy or love in a way that felt personal to you? How did that impact your sense of assurance? [46:41]
5. The pastor said, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, not ours, mine.” Is it easy or hard for you to say, “Jesus is mine”? Why? What might help you internalize this truth more deeply? [53:47]
6. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we feel we don’t know enough or aren’t “good enough” to be assured of God’s love. What doubts or barriers keep you from assurance? How could this group help you address them? [54:48]
7. The pastor invited everyone to let assurance “seep into your everyday life.” What is one practical way you could remind yourself this week that you are loved and accepted by God, even when you feel unworthy? [53:47]
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Devotional
Day 1: Faith—Trusting in God’s Goodness and Presence
Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, marked by a deep trust that God is good, present, and engaged in the world, even when we cannot fully understand how everything works. This trust allows us to believe in God’s love for everyone, to rely on prayer, and to find comfort in community, even when our understanding feels incomplete or abstract. Faith is not about having all the answers, but about believing that God’s promises are true and that we are never alone. [49:09]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to trust God’s goodness or presence? What would it look like to take one small step of trust in that area today?
Day 2: Assurance—Knowing God’s Promises Include You
Assurance goes beyond faith; it is the certainty and confidence that God’s promises are not just true in general, but are true for you personally. It is the deep knowing that you are loved, forgiven, and included in God’s story, regardless of your doubts or mistakes. Assurance is the grounding that allows you to declare, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,” and to rest in the confidence that you are worthy of God’s love. [51:26]
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: When you think about God’s promises, do you truly believe they include you? What would it mean for you to live today as someone who is fully assured of God’s love?
Day 3: Overcoming Anxiety About Worthiness
Many people struggle with anxiety about whether they have done enough to be worthy of God’s love or a place in heaven, even when they believe in God. This anxiety is not a lack of faith, but a lack of assurance, and it is something that can be addressed by embracing the truth that God’s love and forgiveness are for you, personally and unconditionally. Letting go of the fear that you might not “make the cut” allows you to rest in God’s grace and live with confidence. [52:50]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one specific worry or anxiety you have about your worthiness before God? Can you bring it to God in prayer today and ask for His peace to fill you?
Day 4: Assurance Is Personal—Jesus Is Mine
While faith often speaks to the collective “us,” assurance is deeply personal: it is the conviction that Jesus is not just for the world, but for you. This assurance is meant to seep into your everyday life, giving you confidence and certainty that you are worthy, loved, and included in God’s story. It is about being able to declare with confidence, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,” and allowing that truth to shape your identity and your daily walk. [53:47]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Reflection: How does the idea that “Jesus is mine” change the way you see yourself and your relationship with God? What is one way you can remind yourself of this truth today?
Day 5: Growing in Assurance Through Knowing Jesus
Sometimes the barrier to assurance is feeling like we don’t know enough about Jesus or the Bible, but assurance is not about having all the answers—it’s about knowing Jesus personally and allowing His love to become part of your story. By seeking to know Jesus more deeply, whether through small groups, study, or prayer, you can grow in both faith and assurance, cherishing the confidence that you are included in God’s promises. [54:48]
John 17:3 (ESV)
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to get to know Jesus more personally—through reading, prayer, or community—and how might that help you grow in assurance?
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