I believe I’ve mentioned this a couple of times recently, but one thing I really love about our church is the singing. And not just singing for singing’s sake. We often reminded and encouraged to let the words sink down into our souls.

This past Sunday night “Draw Me Nearer” was requested as a favourite by someone, and I fell in love with this song again. Every verse, every word seemed to be so full of meaning. So much so that I want to feature this hymn for two weeks to really talk about what the words mean to me.

I’m sure most people realize that Fanny Crosby, the author of this hymn was blinded at six weeks of age due to a faulty treatment a doctor prescribed. She left such a testimony of trust in God in spite of this difficulty. In fact, at the age of eight she wrote this poem which I think exemplifies her way of life:

Oh, what a happy child I am,
Although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be!

I’m sure her contentment came from her personal relationship with her Lord whom she clearly loved with all her heart.

Of course, people’s voices would have been important to Fanny so she speaks of hearing the Lord’s voice and the love He had for her. Do we listen for the Lord’s voice? Do we take time during the day to be quiet and just listen for what God wants to say to us? I know too often I let the busyness of the day crowd in, and the Lord gets second place.

The chorus reminds us of why Jesus has such a claim on our attention – He died for us! Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Love for the Lord leads us to serve Him, but how often do we try to do this in our own strength. I know I am so guilty of this. But it is God’s grace that enables us to serve. Truly it is only by God’s grace that we can do anything.

I have learned this more and more in the days since my husband was diagnosed with cancer and then left us for Heaven. There are days when it’s only God’s grace that gets me out of bed in the morning never mind being able to do anything else.

There are days when I feel like I’m hanging onto my sanity by my fingernails, and by God’s grace I can do something for someone else which is such a spirit lifter. God’s grace is sufficient.

Oh to be steadfast in my hope. To not waver in my walk. For my will to be lost in God’s will for my life. I wish this was a constant testimony in my life, but it isn’t. I fall often, but God is so gracious to pick me up and help me move forward.

And He is so good to have put this song in Fanny’s heart. She obeyed His calling and shared it with the world where it can now encourage us to live for God by His grace.

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]

Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
~Fanny J. Crosby