Jesus, Lord Of Life

I’m looking deep into some things the word of God teaches our hearts about our responsibility as children who worship Jesus. Building faith houses. This is a song that God put on my heart years ago that has really spoken deeply to me.

Lord of life and King of glory,

Who didst deign a child to be,

Cradled on a mother’s bosom,

Throned upon a mother’s knee:

For the children Thou hast given

We must answer unto Thee.

Grant us then pure hearts and patient,

That in all we do or say

Little souls our deeds may copy,

And be never led astray;

Little feet our steps may follow

In a safe and narrow way.

When our growing sons and daughters

Look on life with eager eyes,

Grant us then a deeper insight

And new pow’rs of sacrifice:

Hope to trust them, faith to guide them,

Love that nothing good denies.

May we keep our holy calling

Stainless in its fair renown,

That, when all the work is over

And we lay the burdens down,

Then the children Thou hast given

Still may be our joy and crown.

Author: Christian Burke (1903)

The song speaks for itself.

I’ve often gone back to the deep revealings in the song. As a prayer lesson.  Especially the mention that at times we need to seek new insight and new powers of sacrifice. Things get too deep and dangerous at times, we’re sorely tempted to yield to pride, strife, division and discouragement. Tempted to look to the will of man, our own and others.  Therefore we need to be stretched into new ways of seeing and being.  We need new inward capacity to steward our responsibilities and deal with challenges God’s way.

Titus 2:7-8 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

As we honor the word of God to endure our sufferings along the way we will have new graces for the challenging places. Imperative that we keep a tender heart toward the Lord and learn through his building processes. Perseverance will always be needed in order to keep growing up in Jesus.  We need to know that God is always seeking our absolute good both for our own good and for the good of his people. There is always mercy over all our sins and failings as long as we keep our hearts contrite and open to the ways of the Lord. At the throne of grace we will find the help we seek. Prostrate before him at the mercy seat.