Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HE IS THY LORD, by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL Poet's Biography First Line: Jesus, beloved master, art thou near Last Line: To work for thee with single heart and eye. Subject(s): Jesus Christ | ||||||||
JESUS, beloved Master, art Thou near? My heart goes forth to Thee! Thy precious Word Has flashed a bright yet tender thrill, a touch Of living light, all through my silent soul. I had not looked for it. I was too tired For earnest search, and could not rise above A sense of weary pain, that drew a veil Of mist and lonely gloom before my eyes. But as I lay and waited for the sleep That had been asked, the Book beside my hand Lured me to glance at lightly opening leaves. Did not Thy loving Spirit guide the glance That fell upon the unsought word of power, "He is Thy Lord"? So simple, yet so strong, So all-embracing! oh, it was enough To chase away all mists and glooms of life. "HE is Thy Lord!" Thyself, O Saviour dear, And not another. Whom have I but Thee In heaven or earth? And whom should I desire! For Thou hast said, "So shall the King desire thee!" And well may I respond in wondering love, "Thou art my Lord, and I will worship Thee." "He IS thy Lord!" So certainly, I know My glad allegiance has been given to Thee, Because Thine all-compelling love and grace Have won the citadel which else had stood Defiant, till God's wrath had laid it low. So certainly! a fact which cannot change Because Thou changest not, my glorious Lord. "He is THY Lord!" Oh, mine! though other lords Have had dominion, now I know Thy name, And its great music is the only key To which my soul vibrates in full accord, Blending with other notes but as they blend With this. Oh, mine! But dare I say it, I, Who fail and wander, mourning oftentimes Some sin-made discord, or some tuneless string? It would be greater daring to deny, To say, "Not mine," when Thou hast proved to me That I am Thine, by promise sealed with blood. "He is thy LORD!" Oh, I am glad of this, So glad that Thou art Master, Sovereign, King! Only I want Thy rule to be supreme And absolute; no lurking rebel thought, No traitor in disguise to pass its bounds. So glad, -- because it is such rest to know That Thou hast ordered and appointed all, And wilt yet order and appoint my lot. For though so much I cannot understand, And would not choose, has been, and yet may be, Thou choosest and Thou rulest, THOU, my Lord! And this is peace, such peace, -- I hardly pause To look beyond to all the coming joy And glory of Thy full and visible reign: Thou reignest now -- "He is thy Lord!" to-day! My Lord! My heart hath said it joyfully. Nay, could it be my own cold, treacherous heart? 'Tis comfort to remember that we have No will or power to think one holy thought, And thereby estimate His power in us, -- "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, But by the Holy Ghost." Then it must be That all the sweetness of the word, "Thy Lord," And all the long glad echoes that it woke, Are whispers of the Spirit, and a seal Upon His work, as yet so faintly seen. "My Lord, my God!" Thou hearest, blessed Lord, Thou knowest how, like Mary, I would bend At Thy beloved feet, if Thou wert here! "If Thou wert here?" But surely Thou art here, And I believe it, though I cannot see. I should not love Thee now wert Thou not near, Looking on me in love. Yea, Thou dost meet Those that remember Thee. Look on me still, Lord Jesus Christ, and let Thy look give strength To work for Thee with single heart and eye. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GREEN CHRIST by ANDREW HUDGINS MEDITATION ON SAVIORS by ROBINSON JEFFERS COMPANIONSHIP by MALTBIE DAVENPORT BABCOCK TO A WREN ON CALVARY by LARRY LEVIS THE TRANSFIGURATION by EDWIN MUIR SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 1. BEAST, PEACH.. by MARVIN BELL CONSECRATION HYMN by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL I DID THIS FOR THEE! WHAT HAST THOU DONE FOR ME? by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL A BIRTHDAY GREETING TO MY FATHER, 1860 by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL |
|