Saturday, November 04, 2023

Slow down! Read the words!

198 Woodsworth. L. M.

1. Just as I am, without one plea,
   but that thy blood was shed for me,
   and that thou bidst me come to thee,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not
   to rid my soul of one dark blot,
   to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about
   with many a conflict, many a doubt,
   fightings and fears within, without,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
   sight, riches, healing of the mind,
   yea, all I need in thee to find,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
   wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
   because thy promise I believe,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
   hath broken every barrier down;
   now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
   O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
                         Charlotte Elliott
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
OK, everybody who grew up hearing a Billy Graham crusade knows at least the first verse of this hymn. In fact, hymnary.org says it occurs in over 2000 hymnals! That's the most I've seen for a hymn, although I'm fairly sure that others are more popular. Because of its popularity, it's easy to just dismiss it, but slow down and read the words. There's a reason that Billy Graham chose it for his signature invitational hymn.
</idle musing>

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