WONDERFUL, MERCIFUL SAVIOR is a song that touched my heart. As always, I know the next song / article is from GOD when the tears flow!  And with this song, it opened a flood gate. 

INSPIRATION

BIBICAL INSPIRATION MEANS the inspiration of Scripture refers to God’s direction of the human authors of the Bible to compose and record His message to humanity in their original writings, something he did in a couple of ways: Sometimes this came about by God speaking directly to the author.

Eric Wyse composed this wonderful hymn in 1989 with his wife, Dawn Rodgers.

CM: Your wife Dawn and you are known for the modern hymn, “Wonderful, Merciful Savior.” Tell us how that song came to be written and some of the ways you have seen it used to help the church in worship.

ERIC: I was away on a trip, and when I returned, Dawn showed me a song she was working on that had been birthed in her quiet time. The melody was complete, and most of the first two verses and refrain. We worked together to finish the song, and although I contributed some lyrics, and some “arranging” of the harmonies, the idea and bulk of the song came from Dawn’s pen — and I feel honored to have helped to bring it to fruition.

FIRST SUNDAY THEY SANG THIS SONG

The first Sunday we sang it at Christ Community, the third verse was not complete (we only had the first line, “Almighty, infinite Father…”) and during the sermon, I saw Dawn “taking notes”. At the end of the sermon, Scotty asked us to come back and sing that song again, and on the way to the platform, Dawn told me she had just completed the third verse, so she sang it then and it was complete.

Since the song has been sung around the world in churches large and small, with translations in French, German, Hungarian, Russian, Saint Lucian Kweyol, and Spanish. It is both humbling and rewarding to see this simple expression of praise and adoration connect with Christians in so many different cultures and contexts.

INTO THE LYRICS JOURNEY WE GO

• Wonderful, merciful Savior
• Precious Redeemer and Friend
• Who would have thought that a Lamb
• Could rescue the souls of men

• Oh, You rescue the souls of men

[2Co 5:17 KJV] 17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

OH YOU RESCUE THE SOULS OF MEN 

• Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

• Spirit we long to embrace

• You offer hope when our hearts have
• Hopelessly lost our way

[Rom 15:4 KJV] 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

COUNSELOR, COMFORTER, KEEPER

The words RESCUE, COMFORTER, and KEEPER tell the story of a LOVING FATHER who cares for his children. He never leaves them nor forsakes them. 

• Oh, we’ve hopelessly lost the way

• You are the One that we praise

• One we adore
• You give the healing and grace
• Our hearts always hunger for
• Oh, our hearts always hunger for

 [Psa 145:1 NIV] 1 A psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

HUNGER

• Almighty, infinite Father
• Faithfully loving Your own
• Here in our weakness, You find us
• Falling before Your throne

[Gen 28:3 NIV] 3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.

FAITHFUL

AND HE DID IT AGAIN

Therefore, since HE DID IT AGAIN, let’s journey into the movie that showcases our HEAVENLY FATHER as a WONDERFUL, MERCIFUL SAVIOR. 

Interesting how GOD brings back to our remembrance things we saw and heard years ago. In fact, this remembrance was the first time I watched “The Gospel According to Matthew”, starring Bruce Marchiano, known as the “SMILING JESUS!”  

Important to realize, this movie truly brought the BIBLE to life for me, especially since it was scripture by scripture of the  BOOK OF MATTHEW. I remember having my Bible open and following the scenes scripture by scripture.  For this reason, I have continued to watch this movie since that time. In fact, I receive new revelations with each viewing. 

After these new revelations, God led me to THE ENCOUNTER SERIES, which also stars Bruce Marchiano as JESUS. In addition, Marchiano Ministries will be releasing his new movie, The Gospel According to John soon. It has been a lifelong dream of his and it will soon be a reality for all to see.

THE ENCOUNTER

To clarify, THE ENCOUNTER is about five strangers with nothing in common except driving down the same road in the middle of the night. 

These five strangers were struggling with their own personal desires. Consequently, they were forced to come together at a remote roadside diner because of a road closure due to a storm. All things considered, this diner was not just about FOOD; it was about their ETERNAL place called home. Therefore, the name, LAST CHANCE DINER, was about their soul, not about their stomach.

Consequently, these five strangers come in contact with OFFICER De VILLE. In brief, these two words will change the life of NICK. Take a hard look at that name! He tells them the road ahead is closed. 

FIVE STRANGERS

NICK > Retired FOOTBALL STAR and Businessman in route to a BIG MEETING

HANK and CATHERINE > couple with marriage issues

MELISSA > Young woman headed to visit her boyfriend in hopes of receiving a marriage proposal 

KAYLA > A run-a-way teenager escaping an abusive mom and her boyfriend

In essence, these FIVE Strangers’ lives were intermingled that night.

For this article, I will highlight NICK, the Retired FOOTBALL STAR and BUSINESSMAN.  All in all, you will glean a lot from the testimonies of the other four strangers. 

ENCOUNTER

Therefore, let’s start with a brief MOVIE CLIP with JESUS and NICK at the LAST CHANGE DINER.

By now, you know I am a DEFINITION writer >> ENCOUNTER: an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.

REJECTING JESUS CLIP > NOT MY WILL THAT ANYONE SHOULD PERISH

To summarize, each stranger struggles with a personal issue.

In this REJECTING JESUS CLIP, JESUS has a conversation with NICK, the RETIRED FOOTBALL STAR and BUSINESSMAN. He is FULL OF HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS that he contributes ALL his success to himself!!!

JESUS’ CONVERSATION WITH NICK

• JESUS:  Nick, you are here for one reason. Because it’s not my will that anyone should perish, but that everyone would turn around and come to me. The word you remember from your Bible is REPENT.
• NICK: I don’t have anything to repent of.

Obviously, Nick is full of self-righteousness, so much so, that he is BLINDED to his sin.

[Luk 5:32 NIV] 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

JESUS HONORS PRAYERS FOR US 

• JESUS: As I said, Nick, I am here honoring the prayers of your grandmother.
• NICK: I wish I had known her.
• JESUS: You still have that chance.
• NICK: But only on your terms. Sounds like blackmail to me. 
• JESUS: It’s not blackmailing. Nick, I want you to be where your grandmother is. It’s a place of everlasting love.
• NICK: And suppose I don’t want that?

JESUS IS A GENTLEMEN 

• JESUS: Nick, I will never force myself on anyone.
• NICK: Ha! That’s the worst kind of blackmail. Do things my way or face fire and brimstone forever. 
• JESUS: Nick, you don’t want to follow me, do you?
• NICK: Not particularly!
• JESUS: And you don’t want to obey me.
• NICK: Correct again. 
• JESUS: Nick, that would be more unjust and unfair for me to steal you at the moment of your death, and force you to live in my presence and in my will for all eternity. Hell, on the other hand is a place, Nick, where you will be completely live free form all of my thou shalt nots, FOREVER.

• NICK: Hell never sounded so appealing to me. 

In a word > WOW!  How WRONG is this statement? These are only the words used by satan himself for NOW. But we know the rest of the story! It won’t be so appealing to him or his followers when JESUS RETURNS. 

JESUS’ HEART FEELS THE PAIN IN THE WORLD

• JESUS: You know every day I get millions of complaints about this world. All the greed and selfishness and poverty and starvation, wars, the murders, the abusive children. I hardly recognize this place anymore. It bears so little resemblance to the garden that I created for you, but it’s not hell, Nick.  Even now, there is sunshine on a spring day.  There’s starry night and desert sky. A gentle breeze and a Summer afternoon. The smell of flowers and the song of birds and …
• NICK: Not to mention the horrible storms and floods.
• JESUS: There are even people who are willing to lend a helping hand to the helpless and there is LOVE. Nick, there is still LOVE. 
• NICK: How can we forget LOVE!

ONE THING FOR SURE 

• JESUS: Nick, there is one thing for sure: There is no LOVE in HELL! No BEAUTY and No HOPE. There is just TORMENT. The kind of torment that comes from within. 
• MELISSA responds … But surely no one would choose that if they really believed you existed! 

No one is excluded from Jesus’ demand to REPENT. And the need is urgent. It can’t be put off until tomorrow that which will change destiny. It is the MOST IMPORTANT TASK ON OUR TO-DO LIST! 

• MELISSA: But if they can just see you.
• JESUS: Not even that would be enough. Look at satan, he stood before me in the very throne room of God, but he thought the beauty and power bestowed was … somehow earned, gave himself over to pride. Scratch any sin below the service and you will find PRIDE.  People steal because they think they deserve what other people have worked hard for. They hop from bed to bed because they feel entitled to just satisfy themselves no matter who it hurts no matter what pain they caused. 

POWERFUL 4 MINUTE 36 SECONDS VIDEO CLIP

In summary, this 4-minute 36-second video clip will touch your heart. It did mine. Therefore, the truths revealed are direct from the WORD. They tell of GOD’s LOVE FOR US. He constantly speaks to us in his still, small voice to protect us, and to be the answer to someone else’s need > Melissa heard that still small voice when she offered a ride to Kayla. 

One thing to remember, this movie reminded me of all the lost souls who are being deceived by OFFICER De VILLE or better known as the DEVIL. 

Why is his demand for repentance his central message that the kingdom of God is at hand? 

[Mar 1:15 KJV] 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The QUESTION is >>> WILL YOU BE LIKE NICK?

How long have you been rejecting JESUS as your Lord and Savior?

If you die today, will you be ready to meet GOD?

REPENT and BELIEVE

AN OPEN INVITATION – HOW TO HAVE LIFE ETERNAL 

Star’s article “HOW TO HAVE LIFE ETERNAL” will guide you to your new life as a CHILD OF GOD. That offers you the assurance that you will live for ETERNITY in HEAVEN with JESUS.  

LET’S CIRCLE BACK AROUND TO THE WORSHIP SONG

Wonderful Merciful Savior > WOW! 

WONDERFUL:  Indeed, all of the instances of wonderful in the King James Version of the Bible are used to mean “astonishing” and not “extremely good.” 

[Psa 40:5 KJV] 5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

MERCIFUL: from mercy. Having or exercising mercy; compassionate; tender; disposed to pity offenders and to forgive their offenses; unwilling to punish for injuries; applied appropriately to the Supreme being.

[Psa 25:10 KJV] 10 All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

SAVOIR: (in Christianity) God or Jesus Christ is the redeemer of sin and saver of souls.

[Jhn 4:14 KJV] 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

WONDERFUL MERCIFUL SAVIOR > THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR JESUS

ENCOUNTER takes these three words and brings them to life on the screen. His words, his expressions, and his love cover the viewer with HIS AMAZING GRACE toward us. 

Thus, FIVE strangers meet on a dark, lonely road one night. Each had a destination they were seeking. And, they all met their TRANSPORTATION at the LAST CHANGE DINER. Ultimately, NICK chose to reject Jesus and made the wrong choice. His words were a self-fulfilling prophecy > “Hell never sounded so appealing to me.”

Once there, there is NO TURNING BACK. No road that leads to HEAVEN.  JUST an eternity where the sun don’t shine!!! 

REPENT and spend ETERNITY IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS. YouWillWantTo is the voice, hands, and feet of Christ! Therefore, we all can reach one!