ORSBORNAGAIN (32)
A devotional series by Major Rob Birks
ORSBORNAGAIN is meant to introduce the poetry of the first Poet General, Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) to a new audience and to reintroduce his works to dyed-in-the-(tropical)-wool Salvationists.
These are not new songs.
However, the lyrics are jam-packed with new life, which may be missed during corporate worship. Re-examined through scripture and experience, Rob Birks intends through an examination of these scared songs to renew the spiritual fervor of believers, and point seekers to their Savior.
I know thee who thou art,
And what thy healing name;
For when my fainting heart
The burden nigh o’ercame,
I saw thy footprints on my road
Where lately passed the Son of God.
Thy name is joined with mine
By every human tie,
And my new name is thine,
A child of God am I;
And never more alone, since thou
Art on the road beside me now.
Beside thee as I walk,
I will delight in thee
In sweet communion talk
Of all thou art to me;
The beauty of thy face behold
And know thy mercies manifold.
Let nothing draw me back
Or turn my heart from thee,
But by the Calvary track
Bring me at last to see
The courts of God, that city fair,
And find my name is written there.
Albert Orsborn
79 The Eternal God – God the Son, The Name of Jesus
My name is Robert H. Birks, but I go by Rob. A few of my six siblings call me Bob, due to an inexplicable phase I went through in my last few years of elementary school. Some of my nephews and nieces call me Uncle Bob (presumably because they learned to talk during my last few years of elementary school). My mom calls me Robert, as does my dad, although sometimes he calls me Son. Stacy usually calls me Rob, but as is the case with most people in love, she has a few choice terms of endearment for me as well. My daughter, Emily, calls me Daddy. My son, Graham, calls me Dad. My daughter, Lauren, calls me Pops. I have friends that call me Rob-Bob, (inspired by a late 80s episode of “Family Ties”). I have a friend who calls me Bobby (and I call her Schmancy). Another friend calls me Mr. Birks (and I call him Jean Valjean or 1st John). I have another friend who calls me Hiram (because he thinks that’s what the “H” stands for). When I served as the christian education director at Camp Arnold in the summer of 1989, my nickname was Reverend Birks. And there are other names that people call me. Some of those names I can’t currently recall. Some I can recall, but wish I couldn’t.
Some names have literal meanings. For instance, the name Fulton (to pull one out of the air) either means “from the people’s estate,” or “bird catcher,” depending on which website you check. Other names may only have a sentimental meaning, or they are important for family reasons. However, you will most likely still be able to find a bookmark in a Christian bookstore that will tell you those names mean “gift of God” or “blessed one.”
My favorite name is Jesus. Again, depending on who you ask, or what source you reference, it either means “God saves” or “God is salvation.” Either one works for me, literally. My works couldn’t and can’t save me. Only the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross could make salvation possible for me, and for you, too!
Like me, Jesus had a few nicknames. They were way better than Bob or Schmancy, and much more meaningful than Hiram. Here are just a few to look up, write down, and meditate on: Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4), Advocate (1 John 2:1), Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 1:8), Author of Salvation (Heb. 5:9), Bread of Life (John 6:35), Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16), Wonderful Counselor (Is. 9:6), Deliverer (Rom. 11:26), Gate of the Sheep (John 10:7), Everlasting God (Is. 40:28), Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20), High Priest (Heb. 5:10), King of Kings (Rev. 19:16), Lamb of God (John 1:29), Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5), Lord of All (Acts 10:36), Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8), Lord of Lords (Rev. 17:14), Messiah (John 1:41, 4:25), Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6), Redeemer (Is. 59:20), Son of David (Luke 18:39), Son of God (Matt. 27:54), Son of Man (John 8:28), The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), The Vine (John 15:5), The Way (John 14:6), The Truth (John 14:6), and The Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4).
As I considered this piece from Orsborn, these two choruses kept coming to mind. They go back a few years, but truth is timeless, right?
Jesus, name above all names.
Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us.
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know.
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go. (SASB 390)
It’s important to note that in the final verse of this Orsborn song, he shifts from focusing on the name of Jesus to his desire to stay true (“by the Calvary track”) and one day see the place where his own name is written. This is a reference to Revelation 20:11-15, where we read that those whose names are written in the book of life are saved, while those whose names are not found there are thrown into the lake of fire.
In the end, I don’t really care what name people call me by, good or bad. I only want to be assured that my name is known by Jesus and recorded in his book. Thankfully, mercifully, Jesus means “God saves!”
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).