Now a major move is underway to establish McClarney as a top selling artist as well as a composer. In November of last year Kingsway Music released in Britain the rather bizarrely titled EP Introducing Chris McClarney. Why bizarre? Well, in 2008 Kingsway had issued a McClarney album Love Never Fails.
Broadcaster/journalist Mike Rimmer met up with Chris when he was over in Eastbourne ministering at the Mission Worship conference. Wasn't calling your second release 'Introducing. . .' a strange idea? "It wasn't my idea," exclaimed Chris. "My idea was to release a 'Greatest Hits' album first. But they didn't like that. Kingsway thought that people should get to know me. It is a little backwards, but I don't know if a lot of people have heard my first record. I put together and funded 'Love Never Fails' myself."
Band Website : www.chrismcclarney.com.
Blessed Assurance
Chris McClarney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
All the day long
Perfect submission, perfect delight
Versions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with his goodness, lost in His love
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
In the first stanza of Chris McClarney's song Blessed Assurance, the singer expresses their faith in Jesus as their savior. They feel as though they have an exclusive, intimate connection to him, imagining their experience of faith as a "foretaste of glory divine." The singer also acknowledges that they are a "purchase of God" and "born of his spirit," suggesting that they understand their faith as a gift from God, rather than something they have earned through their own efforts. The phrase "washed in his blood" is a metaphorical reference to the idea of Christian redemption, where Jesus's death atoned for the sins of humanity.
The second stanza is a continuation of the first, as the singer describes their experience of faith as "perfect submission" and "perfect delight." They seem to be overcome with emotion, imagining "versions of rapture" and the descending of angels offering "echoes of mercy" and "whispers of love." The third stanza expresses the singer's sense of peace and contentment as a result of their faith. The phrase "all is at rest" suggests that the singer's worries and anxieties have been lifted, and they are "happy and blessed" to be in the company of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
I am filled with joy and confidence knowing that Jesus is always with me and will always be mine.
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
The blessings and joy I experience from my relationship with Jesus are just a glimpse of the incredible divine glory that awaits me someday.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Through my faith in Jesus, I am guaranteed God's gift of salvation and I am valued as His precious possession, purchased at great cost.
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood
Through my acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, my spirit is reborn in Him and I am purified by His blood, setting me apart as His own.
This is my story, this is my song
The joy, peace, and hope that come from my relationship with Jesus are a core part of who I am and what I sing about.
Praising my Savior all the day long
All day, every day, I am filled with gratitude and adoration for my Savior who has saved me from my sins and given me eternal life.
Perfect submission, perfect delight
By surrendering my will to God's and trusting in Him, I am able to experience a perfect joy and delight that goes beyond my circumstances.
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Through my faith in Jesus, I am filled with glimpses of heavenly joy and moments of ecstasy, making my soul sing with praise.
Angels descending bring from above
God sends His angels to bring His love, mercy, and grace straight from above to meet me where I am.
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love
God's voice is heard through His mercy and overwhelming love, echoing across my life and heart.
Perfect submission, all is at rest
When I submit myself completely to God, my heart and soul are at peace, trusting that His plan is perfect for me and all will be well in His will.
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Being united with Jesus as His own, I am filled with joy and all sorts of blessings, bringing me ultimate happiness and contentment in Him.
Watching and waiting, looking above
Though I may encounter trials and troubles in this world, I keep my eyes fixed on heaven, anticipating the wonderful things God has in store for me when I am called home.
Filled with his goodness, lost in His love
God's grace is felt deeply throughout my life, and when I am filled with His goodness, I am completely consumed by His love, losing myself in His comforting embrace.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Praise be to God, the one who has saved me, freed me, and loves me endlessly. Forever and ever, I will sing a joyful 'Hallelujah'.
Contributed by Katherine F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.