Oh Happy Day!

My brother Tim recently shared a song with our family. It’s called Oh Happy Day by The Edwin Hawkins Singers.

I remember as a young child some musicians visiting our home and this song was sung. The song has always meant a lot to me. I did not know the original singers or all of the lyrics until now. I believe we need to keep our faith simple and positive. We need to lift our spirit. The song, Oh Happy Day, has few lyrics but it is powerful. “Oh happy day, oh happy day, when Jesus washed, when Jesus washed my sins away. He taught me how to watch and fight and pray…”

There is another song I often sing. It is called Something About that Name by The Gaithers. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that Name. Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim, kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that Name.” We should have a song in our hearts every day. We should rejoice in our salvation because the joy of the Lord is our strength. 

We should not be ashamed of using the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus has made a way for mankind to become saved. We also need to be diligent in our walk with the Lord. We need to watch and fight and pray. “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11) There is power in the name of Jesus. God has done his part; we also need to do our part. 

I will never forget the day I became saved. I was 18 years old in 1981–right after I graduated from high school. I got down on the floor in my bedroom and prayed. My prayer did not make sense. I told God I wanted to try to be a Christian for one week. I also had the thought at the same time that if God was the creator of everything, it would make sense to serve Him. The following day while I was walking, I felt completely born again. God graciously saved me. I then went from sitting on the back row at church up to about the fifth row. Many times, I would also go up to the altar for prayer. My sins have been forgiven. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

God will not invade your life. I do believe God calls people to salvation. People need to pray and ask God to come into their lives. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22 

My experience may not be like your experience with God, but I do believe God will make Himself known to you. I have not had a life without hardship. We need to keep the main thing the main thing, and stay focused on our walk with the Lord. We should not neglect our salvation. Our salvation is our greatest gift and treasure! ~Charlie DeTellis