A Note from the Pastor…
In today’s world, hope can seem in short supply. So many today face worry, hatred, anger, discouragement, and even despair. Yet, the Word of God is not only filled with reminders to hold on to hope, but points us to the only One who can give us true Hope – Jesus Christ!
Edward Mote wrote just one hymn in his lifetime. From what we know of his life, “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” was just as much an anthem of his own testimony as it has become for believers all over the world (titled the “The Solid Rock” pg. 420 in the Church of God hymnal named for the tune {Bradbury} and chorus). Having grown up knowing nothing of God or His existence, Mote first attended church and became a Christian as a young adult. While still a new believer, he was compelled to try his hand at hymn writing. Thus, Mote wrote from a basic, yet profound understanding of his salvation. Later that same week, he visited a married couple at the wife’s sickbed. Without a hymnal handy to lead them in a song of worship, Mote produced a folded-up piece of paper upon which he had worked out four verses and a chorus. Together, they sang the hymn now known as “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” for the first time, blessed by the truths of God’s Word in the lyrics, (Raechel Myers, 2024).
The first and last verse of Edward Mote’s song are my personal favorites. His hymn not only reminds us of Who our salvation and Hope come from, (Christ), but also serves to remind us of the great Hope we have in eternity thru Him. Those words written so many years ago – still ring true today!
Verse 1 Verse 4
My hope is built on nothing less When he shall come with trumpet sound,
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; O may I then in him be found,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, dressed in His righteousness alone,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. faultless to stand before the throne.
In Christ,
Pastor Chris
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