My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea,
So burdened with sin, and distressed,
Till I heard a sweet voice saying, “Make Me your choice,”
And I entered the haven of rest.
I yielded myself to His tender embrace,
And faith taking hold of the word,
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul:
The haven of rest is my Lord. [Refrain]
The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,
Has been the old story so blessed,
Of Jesus who’ll save whosoever will have
A home in the haven of rest. [Refrain]
How precious the thought that we all may recline,
Like John, the beloved and blessed,
On Jesus’ strong arm, where no tempest can harm,
Secure in the haven of rest. [Refrain]
Oh, come to the Savior, He patiently waits
To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the haven of rest,
And say, “My Beloved is mine.” [Refrain]
Refrain:
I’ve anchored my soul in the haven of rest,
I’ll sail the wide seas no more;
The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep,
In Jesus I’m safe evermore.
H. L. Gilmour, 1885
Read Hebrews 4:8-11
Rest. We know how sweet rest is. What a beautiful metapor in this hymn. We are safe and secure in Jesus. We no longer have to worry or expend all of our energy trying to please God. Instead we can rest in the righteousness of Christ. (This is one that’s hard not to sing while I’m writing this. 🙂 ) Soul, take your rest. Jesus Himself proclaimed, “It is finished!”