HYMN OF THEÂ MONTH:
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
by Henry Lyte, 1793-1847
Henry Lyte’s childhood was far from idyllic. His mother and younger brother died when he was young, and his father—who had long left the family—distanced himself so much that he even signed letters to Henry as “Uncle” rather than “Father.”
But God provided for Henry in an unexpected way. His school headmaster noticed his abilities, paid his tuition, and essentially took him in as his own.
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Lyte later entered the ministry and eventually settled in an English fishing village, where he made it his mission to supply every fishing vessel with a Bible and a collection of songs and devotions.
He went on to write beloved hymns like “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken,” “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” and “Abide with Me.”
When we sing “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken,” we’re reminded of Jesus’ call in Luke 9:23:
“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Lyte’s life reflects that kind of faith—a willingness to follow Christ not because life is easy, but because Jesus is worth it.
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Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
By Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847
Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou, from hence, my all shalt be.
Perish ev'ry fond ambition,
All I've sought, and hoped, and known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heav'n are still my own!
Phil. 3:8; Matt. 16:24; Col. 3:2; 2 Cor. 6:4-10; Ps. 73:25-26Â
Let the world despise and leave me;
They have left my Savior, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like man, untrue;
And, while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.
1 John 3:13; John 15:18; Matt. 5:10; Num. 23:19; Ps. 4:6-7
Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heav'n will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh 'tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
O 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
2 Cor. 4:17-18; Rom. 8:18; Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 63:3; Ps. 73:25-26
Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer;
Heav'n's eternal day's before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close the earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
1 Peter 1:8-9; 2 Cor. 5:6-7; Phil. 3:20-21; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; Rev. 21:3-4Â
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