These posts focus our hearts and minds on the One who is worthy

The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Direct my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
So lead me onward, Lord, and hear my plea. [Refrain]

Not always thus, I seldom looked for you,
I loved to choose and seek my path alone.
In spite of fear, my pride controlled my will,
Remember not my past, but lead me still. [Refrain]

So long your pow’r has blest me on the way,
And still it leads, past hill and storm and night!
And with the morn, those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost a while. [Refrain]

Refrain:
Lead, kindly Light, amid the gloom of evening.
Lord, lead me on! Lord, lead me on!
On through the night! On to your radiance!
Lead, kindly Light!
Lead, kindly Light, kindly Light!

John Henry Newman, 1833
Read Psalm 16:1-11

This hymn usually appears without the refrain, but either way, we identify with that longing for guidance and comfort. It humbly acknowledges the times when faith has been lacking, but God remained faithful. It celebrates a lifetime of walking by faith. No matter where you are on your journey, don’t hesitate to take the next step.

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,
“Come, follow Me!”
And we see where Thy footprints falling,
Lead us to Thee.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains,
Seeking His sheep,
Or along by Siloam’s fountains,
Helping the weak. [Chorus]

If they lead through the temple holy,
Preaching the Word,
Or in homes of the poor and lowly,
Serving the Lord. [Chorus]

Then at last, when on high He sees us,
Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
End at His throne. [Chorus]

Chorus:
Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus wheree’er they go.

Mary Bridges Canady Slade, 1871
Read 1 Peter 2:18-24

(It is not a misprint. The title is “footsteps” and the lyrics are “footprints”.) This hymn captures what should be the goal of every Christian– to follow the example of Christ in our daily lives. It reminds us that we can’t limit ourselves to merely believing Jesus’s words, we must actively live out His teaching.

More love to Thee, O Christ,
More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make
On bended knee.
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved,
Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek,
Give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath
Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry
My heart shall raise.
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Elizabeth Prentiss, 1858
Read 1 John 5:1-5

This hymn expresses the writer’s deep desire to love Christ even more deeply and intensely. How do we accomplish that? Love grows in a relationship that we cultivate, that we put effort into. Love grows through experience when we see God’s promises are dependable, that His word can be trusted. Love grows when we pray for God to deepen it. Let’s make that our prayer this week.

O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heav’nly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I sought the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
and drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from Thy throne
and worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.

William Cowper, 1772
Read Joshua 24:21-24

We’ve been there, haven’t we? We’ve all experienced that feeling that our relationship with God is not what it once was. The hymn writer longs to return to that joy and fervor he experienced when he first met Jesus. Do you recall that feeling? The hymn writer prays for the Holy Spirit’s action, specifically to tear down the idols of the heart that have gotten in the way of his relationship with God. May we be willing and courageous enough to pray that same prayer.

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Savior’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o’erflow,
His lips with grace o’erflow.

No mortal can with Him compare,
Among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair
Who fill the heav’nly train,
Who fill the heav’nly train.

He saw me plunged in deep distress,
And flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross,
And carried all my grief,
And carried all my grief.

To Him I owe my life and breath,
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death,
And saves me from the grave,
And saves me from the grave.

Samuel Stennett, 1787
Read Hebrews 2:9-18

“Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned” is not a complicated hymn. It is a declaration of adoration for Christ for who He is and what He has accomplished for the hymnwriter. The format is a description of Christ, praise for Christ, how He has intervened, and the response. If you are a journaler, you can write your own declaration. Don’t worry if it’s simple or doesn’t rhyme. No doubt we can agree with the hymnwriter, “to Him I owe my life and breath, and all the joys I have.”

My Jesus, as Thou wilt:
O may Thy will be mine!
Into Thy hand of love
I would my all resign.
Through sorrow or thro’ joy,
Conduct me as Thine own,
And help me still to say,
“My Lord, Thy will be done.”

My Jesus, as Thou wilt:
Tho’ seen thro’ many’a tear,
Let not my star of hope
Grow dim or disappear.
Since Thou on earth hast wept
And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee,
My Lord, Thy will be done.

My Jesus, as Thou wilt:
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with Thee.
Straight to my home above
I travel calmly on,
And sing in life or death,
“My Lord, Thy will be done.”

Benjamin Schmolck, 1704; translated by Jane Borthwick, 1854
Read Psalm 143:1-12

It is no small thing to surrender our will to another. It is the ultimate act of trust and devotion. Jesus modeled this for us. This hymn encourages us not to hold back, but to trust God in everything, good times and bad, from birth and even beyond death. Why? Because He is faithful and trustworthy. May we say, “Thy will be done.”