HYMN OF THE MONTH:
On Jordan's Stormy Banks
by Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795
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.
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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Read & Relate
On Jordan’s Stormy Banks
By Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795
On Jordan's stormy banks I stand
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
Phil. 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Matt. 6:20-21; Heb. 11:16
Chorus:
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
O who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.
John 14:2-3; Isa. 55:1; Heb. 13:14; Rev. 22:17
All o'er those wide-extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns
And scatters night away.
Rev. 22:5; Rev. 21:23; 1 Tim. 6:15-16; Rev. 11:15
No chilling winds nor pois'nous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death
Are felt and feared no more.
Rev. 21:4; Rev. 22:3; 1 Cor. 15:52-54; Rom. 8:20-21
When shall I reach that happy place
And be forever blest?
When shall I see my Father's face
And in His bosom rest?
Rev. 22:4; Ps. 16:11; Ps. 17:15; Heb. 4:9-11
