As Paul cried in Romans 10, I desperately pray for the day His chosen people will turn to Yeshua as I was breed to bless Israel as my forefathers have before me.
My father's father was a humble fisherman in Canada's Bay of Fundy. His devotion to G-d overflowed into songs about Yeshua and what He did for a sinner like him. I recall, as a boy, him laying hands on me, weeping for me, calling on G-d to bless me and keep me safe in His arms. It has marked me for life.
His flame never spread far beyond the small island he was born on, but if I may, I would like to share with you one of his songs, for it is yours by right. Being left for over 50 years, my father and I give it to you now, on his behalf.
Here is a note my grandfather wrote explaining to his family how he came to write this song:
"How I wrote "Israel's Messiah"
In the year 1950, while on Wood Island, I awoke near 1 a.m. The Holy presence of God was flooding my room. Then the Lord spoke these words to me, "Why not write a song for the Jews?" I replied, "Father, I don't know how. How would I begin it?" The Lord then said, "begin it like this - Let tidings swell, O Israel."
signed,
Leland C. Wilcox
Israel's Messiah
by Leland C. Wilcox (1950)
Verse 1
Let tidings swell, O Israel, Messiah calleth Thee,
His wandering child, to reconcile, With pardon full and free.
Thy weary years, of doubts and fears, Thy sorrows grief and pain,
On one glad day, would pass away, If Christ within thee reign.
Chorus
O Israel, sad Israel! We mourn, we weep for thee.
Thy King receive, on Him believe, Whose grace will make thee free.
Verse 2
The Lamb of God, whose precious Blood, Was shed on Calvary,
Will wash away, thy guilt to-day, and save eternally.
Thy blessed King, received death's sting, To rescue thee from hell,
O come ye now, before Him bow, Ye hosts of Israel.
Verse 3
The King of Peace, will bring release, and heal thy troubled soul,
If only thou, receive Him now, and yield to His control.
Behold He stands, with outstretch'd hands, And kindly calleth thee,
O haste to day, His voice obey, Thy King will make thee free.
Submitted by:
Stephen W. Wilcox and his father,
Rev. Walter C. Wilcox, on behalf of his father,
Leland C. Wilcox (1896-1985)
My father's father was a humble fisherman in Canada's Bay of Fundy. His devotion to G-d overflowed into songs about Yeshua and what He did for a sinner like him. I recall, as a boy, him laying hands on me, weeping for me, calling on G-d to bless me and keep me safe in His arms. It has marked me for life.
His flame never spread far beyond the small island he was born on, but if I may, I would like to share with you one of his songs, for it is yours by right. Being left for over 50 years, my father and I give it to you now, on his behalf.
Here is a note my grandfather wrote explaining to his family how he came to write this song:
"How I wrote "Israel's Messiah"
In the year 1950, while on Wood Island, I awoke near 1 a.m. The Holy presence of God was flooding my room. Then the Lord spoke these words to me, "Why not write a song for the Jews?" I replied, "Father, I don't know how. How would I begin it?" The Lord then said, "begin it like this - Let tidings swell, O Israel."
signed,
Leland C. Wilcox
Israel's Messiah
by Leland C. Wilcox (1950)
Verse 1
Let tidings swell, O Israel, Messiah calleth Thee,
His wandering child, to reconcile, With pardon full and free.
Thy weary years, of doubts and fears, Thy sorrows grief and pain,
On one glad day, would pass away, If Christ within thee reign.
Chorus
O Israel, sad Israel! We mourn, we weep for thee.
Thy King receive, on Him believe, Whose grace will make thee free.
Verse 2
The Lamb of God, whose precious Blood, Was shed on Calvary,
Will wash away, thy guilt to-day, and save eternally.
Thy blessed King, received death's sting, To rescue thee from hell,
O come ye now, before Him bow, Ye hosts of Israel.
Verse 3
The King of Peace, will bring release, and heal thy troubled soul,
If only thou, receive Him now, and yield to His control.
Behold He stands, with outstretch'd hands, And kindly calleth thee,
O haste to day, His voice obey, Thy King will make thee free.
Submitted by:
Stephen W. Wilcox and his father,
Rev. Walter C. Wilcox, on behalf of his father,
Leland C. Wilcox (1896-1985)
