Must I go, and empty handed,
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow. [Refrain]
O the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow. [Refrain]
O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may. [Refrain]
Refrain
Must I go, and empty handed?
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty handed go?
Charles C Luther 1877
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
This hymn allegedly came from a deathbed question from someone who had been a believer for only a few weeks. He was concerned about meeting his Lord with no good works, with no others he had led to faith. Paul in Romans 14:10-12 tells us we will all give an account of how we have used the time, opportunities, and gifts we’ve been given. May we all be about the Father’s business while it is still day.