Once It Was The Blessing

Lyrics : Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord; Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word; Once His gifts I wanted, Now, the Giver own; Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone. Chorus: All in all forever, Jesus will I sing; Everything in Jesus, And Jesus everything. Once ’twas painful trying, Now ’tis perfect trust; Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost; Once ’twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast; Once ’twas constant drifting, Now my anchor’s cast. Once ’twas busy planning, Now ’tis trustful prayer; Once ’twas anxious caring, Now He has the care; Once ’twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says; Once ’twas constant asking, Now ’tis ceaseless praise. Once it was my working, His it hence shall be; Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me; Once the pow’r I wanted, Now the Mighty One; Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone. Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He’s mine; Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine; Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail; And my hopes are anchored Safe within the veil.

Explanation:

Below is a detailed explanation of each statement in the hymn, breaking down the lyrics line by line to clarify their meaning and spiritual significance. The hymn, often attributed to A.B. Simpson and titled "Jesus Only" or "All in All," reflects a journey of faith from seeking God’s blessings to desiring Christ Himself. I’ll analyze each line within its stanza, maintaining a concise yet thorough approach, and group the chorus separately since it repeats.

Stanza 1

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;

• Explanation: Initially, the singer focused on receiving blessings (e.g., material provision, answered prayers) from God. Now, their focus has shifted to desiring the Lord Himself, valuing His presence over His gifts. This reflects a maturing faith, prioritizing relationship over benefits (Philippians 3:8).

Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word;

• Explanation: Early in their faith, the singer relied on emotional experiences to feel close to God. Now, they anchor their faith in God’s Word (the Bible), which provides a stable, unchanging foundation compared to fleeting emotions (Psalm 119:105).

Once His gifts I wanted, Now, the Giver own;

• Explanation: The singer once sought God’s gifts (e.g., spiritual or material blessings). Now, they desire to “own” (possess or know intimately) the Giver—Jesus—recognizing Him as the true treasure (Matthew 6:21).

Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

• Explanation: Previously, the singer prayed for specific outcomes like physical or emotional healing. Now, they seek Jesus Himself, understanding that His presence is sufficient, regardless of specific answers to prayer (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Chorus

All in all forever, Jesus will I sing;

• Explanation: Jesus is the “all in all” (Colossians 3:11), the complete source of everything meaningful. The singer commits to praising Him eternally, reflecting a life of worship centered on Christ.

Everything in Jesus, And Jesus everything.

• Explanation: All aspects of life—needs, desires, purpose—are found in Jesus. He is not just a means to an end but the entirety of the believer’s focus, encapsulating all they need or want.

Stanza 2

Once ’twas painful trying, Now ’tis perfect trust;

• Explanation: The singer once struggled with effortful striving to achieve spiritual goals or salvation, which was exhausting. Now, they rest in “perfect trust,” fully relying on Jesus’ grace and provision (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost;

• Explanation: Initially, the singer experienced a partial or incomplete understanding of salvation, perhaps focusing on forgiveness alone. Now, they embrace the fullness of salvation, including sanctification and a transformed life (Hebrews 7:25).

Once ’twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;

• Explanation: The singer once clung to faith through their own strength, fearing they might lose it. Now, they trust that Jesus holds them securely, emphasizing His sustaining power (John 10:28-29).

Once ’twas constant drifting, Now my anchor’s cast.

• Explanation: Previously, the singer’s faith was unstable, like a ship drifting without direction. Now, their faith is anchored in Christ, providing stability and hope (Hebrews 6:19).

Stanza 3

Once ’twas busy planning, Now ’tis trustful prayer;

• Explanation: The singer once relied on their own plans and strategies. Now, they approach God with trustful prayer, surrendering control and seeking His guidance (Philippians 4:6).

Once ’twas anxious caring, Now He has the care;

• Explanation: Previously, the singer was consumed by worry and responsibility. Now, they cast their cares on Jesus, trusting Him to handle their burdens (1 Peter 5:7).

Once ’twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;

• Explanation: The singer once pursued their own desires in prayer or life. Now, they align their will with Jesus’ teachings and desires, seeking His will above their own (John 6:38).

Once ’twas constant asking, Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

• Explanation: The singer used to focus on asking God for things. Now, their life is marked by continual praise, reflecting gratitude and contentment in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Stanza 4

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;

• Explanation: The singer once relied on their own efforts to achieve spiritual or practical goals. Now, they surrender their work to Jesus, letting His power and purpose guide them (Galatians 2:20).

Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me;

• Explanation: Previously, the singer approached Jesus as a means to their own ends (e.g., for blessings or success). Now, they allow Jesus to work through them, becoming instruments of His will (Romans 6:13).

Once the pow’r I wanted, Now the Mighty One;

• Explanation: The singer once sought spiritual power or influence for themselves. Now, they desire only the Mighty One (Jesus), recognizing Him as the true source of power (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

• Explanation: Previously, the singer worked for personal gain or glory. Now, their efforts are dedicated solely to Jesus’ glory and purposes (Colossians 3:23-24).

Stanza 5

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He’s mine;

• Explanation: The singer’s faith began with hope in Jesus’ promises. Now, they have assurance of their relationship with Him, confident in His faithfulness (1 John 5:13).

Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine;

• Explanation: The “lamps” symbolize the singer’s faith or spiritual vitality, which once flickered weakly. Now, through Christ, their faith is vibrant and strong, shining brightly (Matthew 5:16).

Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;

• Explanation: Previously, the singer may have feared death or seen it as an end. Now, they eagerly await Jesus’ return, viewing it as a glorious hope (Titus 2:13).

And my hopes are anchored Safe within the veil.

• Explanation: The singer’s hopes are secured in Christ, referencing the “veil” of the Old Testament temple’s Holy of Holies, symbolizing direct access to God’s presence through Jesus (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Summary

Each statement in the hymn contrasts an earlier, immature stage of faith—marked by self-reliance, seeking blessings, or emotional dependence—with a mature, Christ-centered faith characterized by trust, surrender, and worship. The progression reflects spiritual growth, aligning with biblical themes of transformation and reliance on Jesus as the source of all things. The hymn’s structure, with its “once… now…” pattern, underscores this journey, making it a powerful expression of devotion and a call to prioritize Christ above all.