When I was a child ‘I am not skilled to understand’ was in our hymn book. Written by nineteenth century English poet Dora Greenwell, we sung it from sometimes. I forgot it.
In more recent years Aaron Shust ‘rediscovered’ it and revived it. We learnt his version in our church – we sung it for a while, but forgot it. Again.
It’s been chosen for our church service this morning. We re-learnt at our music practice on Wednesday; I’ve been singing it ever since.
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands One who is my Saviour
I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me, this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Saviour
The song directs me to a God who has a plan. It points to Jesus, the Saviour who died and is now at God’s right hand. It focuses on the simplicity of faith, yet it’s complexity, that can’t be fully understood. Above all it’s personal. I don’t understand the God who is so much greater than me and my tiny mind, but I trust him. Jesus who died isn’t just a Saviour; he is my Saviour.
That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange so once did I
Before I knew my Saviour
My Saviour loves, my Saviour lives
My Saviour’s always there for me
My God He was, my God He is
My God He’s always gonna be
Aaron Schust changes the tune for the third verse, using it as a bridge to the chorus that he’s added. It’s still about the loving, living Jesus who left heaven to come to earth, and the eternal God who is unchanging and unchangeable. It’s the Jesus who comes for everyman, but he comes for me; it’s the God who is always there, and is always there for me.
Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior
That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
My Saviour loves, my Saviour lives
My Saviour’s always there for me
My God He was, my God He is
My God He’s always gonna be
This morning I read the end of the story of Job. God finally presents himself to Job, challenges him, and shows him His greatness. Job’s unable to answer God’s questions. Acknowledging that he’s spoken without understanding he says, ‘I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.’ He could well have said, ‘I am not skilled to understand what God has willed what God has planned.’
Later this morning I shall reflect on Job, use Dora Greenwell’s poem, appreciate Aaron Shust’s arrangement. Their words will become my words as I recognise my limitations in the face of God’s greatness, and respond to Jesus, my living Saviour, who’s always there for me.
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