Thursday Audio Devotional
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Arranged by Wilbur Held
Jane Johnson, organ
bit.ly/3kccGT2
This hymn is one of many by Charles Wesley. Although he wrote it shortly after his conversion, it was not published until eight years after the author’s death. His brother, John, opposed its singing because he apparently thought the hymn’s images of “lover” and “bosom” were too intimate and thus inappropriate. In the hymn Wesley describes Jesus as a haven and refuge, paired with water images of tempest, healing streams, and fountain of life. The hymn recounts the storms of life, and describes Jesus as our safe haven and refuge. It could be that Wesley was speaking from his own experience in 1735 of crossing the ocean with the Moravians during a large storm. His journal speaks of the Moravians’ calmness and courage, and their singing of hymns in the midst of the storm.
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high;
hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed, all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.
Plenteous grace with thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound, make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.
PRAYER
God of heaven and earth, in your Son Jesus Christ
you have given us a true faith and a sure hope.
Strengthen this faith and hope in us all our days,
that we may live as those who believe in
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
and the resurrection to eternal life;
through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
--from Chalice Worship
Permission obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-732007
STAYING CONNECTED WITH CRESTWOOD
We hope you are doing well and are able to stay connected with your church family during these challenging times. We won’t be able to gather in person for the foreseeable future, but until then, your church staff is working hard to provide you regular opportunities to connect. Please check the Weekly and the Crest newsletter (links below) to stay up-to-date.
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