#U saved me lyrics how to#

~ Used with permission from John Newton Discovered Amazing Grace Biblical Inspiration of 'Amazing Grace'

Newton never ceased to stand in awe of God's work in his life. That day at the helm, March 21, 1748, was a day Newton remembered ever after, for 'On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.' Many years later, as an old man, Newton wrote in his diary of March 21, 1805: 'Not well able to write but I endeavor to observe the return of this day with humiliation, prayer, and praise.' Only God's amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God.

#U saved me lyrics how to#

Luke 11:13 seemed to assure him that God might still hear him: 'If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.' He found a New Testament and began to read. Yet, Newton's thoughts began to turn to Christ. Certainly, he was beyond hope and beyond saving, even if the Scriptures were true. John Newton had rejected his mother's teachings and had led other sailors into unbelief. Sailors were not noted for the refinement of their manners,В but Newton had a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery which even shocked many a sailor. Since the age of eleven, he had lived a life at sea. His life seemed as ruined and wrecked as the battered ship he was trying to steer through the storm. With the storm raging fiercely, Newton had time to think. From one o'clock until midnight he was at the helm. On the eleventh day of the storm, sailor John Newton was too exhausted to pump, so he was tied to the helm and tried to hold the ship to its course. The sailors had little hope of survival, but they mechanically worked the pumps, trying to keep the vessel afloat.

Its canvas sails were ripped, and the wood on one side of the ship had been torn away and splintered. The GreyhoundВ had been thrashing about in the north Atlantic storm for over a week. Later in life, Newton became a supporter and inspiration to William Wilberforce who led the fight to pass the British Slave Trade Act in 1807, which abolished the slave trade in that empire. This song isnвЂ™t a song of theology-itвЂ™s John NewtonвЂ™s own heartfelt expression of gratitude to God, who helped him turn from his profane and wicked life and eventually fight against the ills he practiced.