do not i love Thee?
i was reminded today of this song. i was thinking about God and how He needs to be the object of my affections. how He needs to be the love of my life. how if i don't first love Him then nothing else is worth my attention or interest. i was preparing for a study tomorrow with the high school guys, and one of the questions was, "What will it take in your life to make your devotional time with God the number one priority of each day? Do you need to cut back or eliminate some competing activity?" What in my life is competing with God for my attention? for my affections? for my love? for my passions? whatever i find that does this, i need to pluck out or cut off ( Matthew 5:29-30).
This song was adapted by a hymn written by Philip Doddridge, published posthumously in Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scriptures, by Job Orton (J. Eddowes and J. Cotton, 1755) The original hymn and lyrics can bee seen here. (fair warning: watch out! there's a bad midi file that will play on that page. I'm not familiar with that melody, the way the above words are sung, as I remember, is a lot better than the tune heard on that page, but the words there are good!)
Do not I love Thee, O my Lord?
Behold my heart and see
And turn each cursed idol out
That dares to rival Thee
Do not I love Thee from my soul?
Then let me nothing love
Dead be my heart to every joy
When Jesus cannot move
Within the darkness of this heart
Other gods would vie for my affections
But Thou art exalted far above all gods
Let nothing keep me from Thy love
Thou know'st I love Thee, dearest Lord
But, oh, I long to soar
Far from the sphere of mortal joys
And learn to love Thee more
This song was adapted by a hymn written by Philip Doddridge, published posthumously in Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scriptures, by Job Orton (J. Eddowes and J. Cotton, 1755) The original hymn and lyrics can bee seen here. (fair warning: watch out! there's a bad midi file that will play on that page. I'm not familiar with that melody, the way the above words are sung, as I remember, is a lot better than the tune heard on that page, but the words there are good!)
Labels: christian hedonism, lyrics
posted by Elias at 16:13
5 Comments:
Maybe I should go to the High School boys study.
I need to learn that too!
Love,
Mom
e, this is a great challenge to me! thanks so much for this post. i am ALWAYS guitly of letting life get in the way. i hate this about myself. thanks for the reminder! i love you!
This is a challenge to most Christians. It's the one thing the enemy tries desperately to do. To distract us and keep us from spending time with our Lord. Because it's there we see His will, it's there we find the strength to follow His will, it's there we develop that relationship that noone could come between. Thank you for reminding me of the most needful thing!
ok I know it has been a while for both of us...so let agree to do a post this week....I miss your inspriations and deep thoughts!
elias, don't follow in philip's footsteps!! i would HATE to see your blogger liscense revoked!
Post a Comment
<< Home