OzThoughts. Wednesday 22nd July, 2009

OzThoughts. Wednesday 22nd July, 2009

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave, and follow thee;
Though I be despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shalt be.

Chorus
I will follow thee, my Saviour,
Thou hast shed thy blood for me:
And though all the world forsake thee,
By thy grace I'll follow thee.

Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition,
God and Heaven are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me,
Thou art not like them, untrue.

And while thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me,
Show thy face and all is bright.

O 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While thy love is left to me!
O 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy not found in thee!
Authors: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) (verses), James Lawson (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 498

It is said that Henry Francis Lyte wrote this hymn in memory of his wife. Gordon Avery (Companion to the Song Book, 1962) tells that Anna Maxwell was the daughter of a Church of England clergyman. When she determined to join in worship with the Methodists who had been a great spiritual inspiration to her, he said she must “be prepared to leave home and family”. As the hymn says she took up her cross, left all and determined to follow Jesus.

Below are all six of the eight line verses which appear in most hymnals which contain this hymn. As we meditate on them, can we feel the satisfaction that comes from a complete commitment to Jesus?

24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matthew 16 The Message).

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.

3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favour, loss is gain.
I have called Thee Abba, Father!
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.

4. Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

5. Take, my soul, thy full salvation;
Rise o'er sin and fear and care;
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
What a Father's smile is thine,
What a Saviour died to win thee;
Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?

6. Haste, then, on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close the earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
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