Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken | Henry Lyte
1
Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee. Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be. Perish every fond ambition, All Ive sought or hoped or known. Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still my own.
2
Let the world despise and leave me, They have left my Savior, too. Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue. O while Thou dost smile upon me, God of wisdom, love, and might, Foes may hate and friends may shun me, Show Thy face and all is bright.
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Man may trouble and distress me, Twill but drive me to Thy breast. Life with trials hard may press me; Heaven will bring me sweeter rest. Grief has no great power to harm me While Thy love shines warm on me; This world has no joy to charm me If that joy is not a gift from Thee.
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Go, then, earthly fame and treasure, Come disaster, scorn and pain In Thy service, pain is pleasure, With Thy favor, loss is gain I have called Thee Abba Father, I have stayed my heart on Thee Storms may howl, and clouds may gather; All must work for good to me.
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Soul, then know thy full salvation Rise oer sin and fear and care Joy to find in every station, Something still to do or bear. Think what Spirit dwells within thee, Think what Fathers smiles are thine, Think that Jesus died to win thee, Child of heaven, canst thou repine?
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Haste thee on from grace to glory, Armed by faith, and winged by prayer. Heavens eternal days before thee, Gods own hand shall guide us there. Soon shall close thy earthly mission, Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days, Hope shall change to glad fruition, Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
Dear God, thank You for giving us Yourself. Thank You for bowing so low to love such unworthy wretches. Give us wisdom to fasten our eyes on You, come what may. Open our eyes to keep eternity in mind, so we can trust in quiet confidence through every storm. In Jesus' name, amen.