Today, we begin my plan (which I mentioned a few posts ago) to regularly feature a great hymn of the faith. We begin with what was probably Charles Wesley’s first hymn. It was written on the same day of his conversion – May 21, 1738. I personally don’t remember ever singing it, but as we are going to look at several Charles Wesley hymns in the next few weeks, it seems a good place to start. Wesley’s journal for that day reads:
At nine, I began an hymn upon my conversion, but I was persuaded to break off for fear of pride. Mr. Bray, coming encouraged me to proceed in spite of Satan. I prayed Christ to stand by me, and finished the hymn. Upon my afterwards showing it to Mr. Bray, the devil threw in a fiery dart, suggesting that it was wrong, and I had displeased God. My heart sunk within me; when, casting my eye upon a Prayer-book, I met with an answer for him. “Why boastest thou thyself, thou tyrant, that thou canst do mischief?” Upon this, I clearly discerned it was a device of the enemy to keep back glory from God.
As you read the hymn, notice in the third and fourth verses how he seems to wrestle with Satan on whether he should continue with the hymn. Notice also how he begins with amazement that God should save him, and ends with a plea for sinners of every kind to come and find this great salvation that he has just experienced. Oh that we too would be amazed at God’s salvation and desire to tell others! If you want the music, you can link here for an organ version of the first verse.
Where shall my wondering soul begin?
How shall I all to heaven aspire?
A slave redeemed from death and sin,
A brand plucked from eternal fire,
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
Or sing my great Deliverer’s praise?
O how shall I the goodness tell,
Father, which Thou to me hast showed?
That I, a child of wrath and hell,
I should be called a child of God,
Should know, should feel my sins forgiven,
Blessed with this antepast of Heaven!
And shall I slight my Father’s love?
Or basely fear His gifts to own?
Unmindful of His favors prove?
Shall I, the hallowed cross to shun,
Refuse His righteousness to impart,
By hiding it within my heart?
No! though the ancient dragon rage,
And call forth all his host to war,
Though earth’s self-righteous sons engage
Them and their god alike I dare;
Jesus, the sinner’s friend, proclaim;
Jesus, to sinners still the same.
Outcasts of men, to you I call,
Harlots, and publicans, and thieves!
He spreads His arms to embrace you all;
Sinners alone His grace receives;
No need of Him the righteous have;
He came the lost to seek and save.
Come, O my guilty brethren, come,
Groaning beneath your load of sin,
His bleeding heart shall make you room,
His open side shall take you in;
He calls you now, invites you home;
Come, O my guilty brethren, come!
For you the purple current flowed
In pardons from His wounded side,
Languished for you the eternal God,
For you the Prince of glory died:
Believe, and all your sin’s forgiven;
Only believe, and yours is Heaven!
Brian J. Mikul 
Just had to try out your newly adjusted link.
I can relate to the struggle Wesley went through as he describes in his journal. I wonder if everyone does that or just some; and to that extent. I do. Is it just our personality or does Satan try harder to discourage some more than others? David was like that.
At least for some, there is a wrestling we must go through for every inch of ground we try to gain. If he can’t distract us through the temptation of bad things, he will try one of two other approaches: suggest more good than we can possibly do so we would then feel we have been a disappointment to God, or, like with Wesley here, cast a dark shadow on the good that we try to do.
I guess that is why it is refered to as ‘warfare’.