Instead of saying for the thousandth time from a crushed heart, "Lord, forgive me," let's start praying for the ability to grasp His love for us that surpasses our own human understanding that will allow us to leave the guilt behind. It's time to stop asking for forgiveness and start praying for faith to thank Him that we have been given it by Him!
One of my favorite Wayne Watson songs is called "The Touch of Master's Hand" based on a poem by Myra Brooks Welch. I encourage you to scroll down to my playlist and listen to the song while you follow the lyrics.
The Touch of the Master's Hand
Well, it was battered and scarred
An the auctioneer felt
It was hardly worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin
But he held it up with a smile
"It sure ain't much
But it's all we got left
I guess we ought to sell it too
Now who'll start the bid on this old violin
Just one more and we'll be through!"
And then he cried,
"One, give me one dollar
Who'll make it two?
Only two dollars
Who'll make it three?
Three dollars twice
Now that's a good price
But who's got a bid for me?
Raise up your hand
And don't wait any longer,
The auction's about to end
Who's got four?
Just one dollar more
To bid on this old violin."
Well the air was hot
And the people stood around
As the sun was setting low.
From the back of the crowd a gray-haired man
Came forward, picked up the bow.
He wiped the dust from the old violin
And tightened up the strings
Then he played out a melody pure and sweet,
Sweeter than the angels sing
And then the music stopped
And the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,
He said,
"What am I bid for this old violin?"
Then he held it up with a bow.
(Chorus)
Then he cried out,
"One, give me one thousand
Who'll make it two?
Only two thousand
Who'll make it three?
Three thousand twice
Well, that's a good price
But who's got a bid for me?"
The people cried out,
"What made the change
We don't understand?"
Then the auctioneer stopped
And he said with a smile
"It was the touch of the master's hand!"
Now you know
Many a man with a life out of tune
Is battered and scarred with sin,
And he's auctioned cheap to a thankless world
Much like that old violin.
Then the Master comes and the foolish crowd
They never understand
The worth of a soul
And the change that is wrought
Just by one touch of the Master's hand!
Jesus, you are the Master! And under Your miraculous touch we find Your forgiveness and life that is true life.