Tried With Fire

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 I’ve 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 disown me, Show Thy face and all is bright. 3. 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. Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me While Thy love is left to me; Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, Were that joy unmixed with Thee. 4. 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, ...

There are times when I still get anxious about the future sometimes triggered by the oddest things.  I love this hymn because it reminds me of God's love and faithfulness when "storms may howl and clouds may gather" and in its ultimate demonstration, the cross.  Even if I could go back in time and change what has happened in the last 5 years, I wouldn't want to undo what God has done. Think what Spirit dwells within thee,  Think what Father’s smiles are thine,  Think that Jesus died to win thee,  Child of heaven, canst thou repine? Henry Lyte's father abandoned him and his mother. He later remarried and wrote letters to his son and signed them "Your Uncle". He never let his son call him "Father". Can you imagine the pain? These words by Lyte are a testimony to the power of the gospel. (source: The Hymn Sing - Live in Nashville - Indelible Grace)