A Hymn Devotion for 10 June 2019 Anno Domini (© Copyright 1924, renewed 1952 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188). The Anglican Orthodox communion Worldwide
Though most often considered to be a child’s hymn only, any hymn suitable for a little child to sing is definitely suitable for a mature Child of God to sing as well. This hymn is written by Harry D. Clarke in 1924, an orphan who ran away from the orphanage and went to sea for ten years before hearing that same voice that called unto dead, old Lazarus to come forth – and come forth, Mr. Clarke did. He attended Moody Bible Institute and became a minister for the remainder of his life. The tune, INTO MY HEART, is also by the Rev. Clarke. Though we may, in desperation of profligate sins, invite our Lord into our hearts, He enters in under His own conditions and privileges. This hymn is simple and tender. It expresses the simple desires of the heart without the ostentatious display of gaudy and prideful worship. I have actually prayed this little hymn many times as a young lad – and to pray was an endeavor I was never without need. Though when very young, I could scarcely grasp the depth of meaning of the hymn with my mind, I could certainly feel it with my heart.
COME INTO MY HEART
1 Come into my heart, blessed Jesus,
Come into my heart, I pray;
My soul is so troubled and weary,
Come into my heart today.
Refrain:
Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today,
Come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
2 Come into my heart, blessed Jesus,
I need Thee thro’ life’s dreary way;
The burden of sin is so heavy,
Come into my heart to stay. [Refrain]
3 Come into my heart, blessed Jesus,
O cleanse and illumine my soul;
Fill me with Thy wonderful Spirit,
Come in and take full control. [Refrain]
1 Come into my heart, blessed Jesus, Come into my heart, I pray; My soul is so troubled and weary,
Come into my heart today. The Lord Jesus Christ is a very discreet guest. He will not enter into just any heart that may be filled with the debris and refuse of unrepented sins. Neither will He abide the odor of death for death cannot exist in His presence. He will first call that heart to life before the heart can even know to call upon Him. He may come into our hearts in the midst of our rebellion against Him as He did with Paul (Saul) on the Road to Damascus; or He may enter into the heart of our souls as we lie broken and bruised by the Road to Jericho. But it is His time and His grace that prompts the invitation. He is always willing to come into the heart that is prepared to receive Him either out of desperation or peace. We do not hunger for bread on a full stomach, and neither do we thirst for water when we have been filled at the fountain; but when we have expired every resource of bread and water, we will then realize the great need for that Bread of Heaven and Water of Life which our Lord freely offers in grace.
2 Come into my heart, blessed Jesus, I need Thee thro’ life’s dreary way; The burden of sin is so heavy, Come into my heart to stay. He has invited us often to relieve our souls of its burdens and place them upon His able shoulders. But we often struggle and persist with our many sorrows until the overwhelming weight leaves us no remedy but to turn unto Him. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30 (KJV) Please remember that our Lord Jesus Christ is not only our Passover, but also our Rest (Sabbath). Our Lord does not pay casual visits – He enters into our hearts to ABIDE (to LIVE therein). He will not leave that heart nor forsake it.
3 Come into my heart, blessed Jesus, O cleanse and illumine my soul; Fill me with Thy wonderful Spirit, Come in and take full control. Where does the Christian life begin? It must always begin in the heart – the seat of power of the soul. When our Lord Jesus Christ enters our hearts, He cleanses them (we cannot). He becomes the Bright and Morning Star to illumine every hidden chamber of the heart. During this earthly voyage, we have the Morning Star of Promise throughout the dark night of our pilgrimage to guide us, and it is the promise of a greater Light – the Sun of Righteousness to come. When the heart is cleansed, the outward appearance will follow – but not the other way around. God cleanses the inner man first, and then the outer man: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (KJV) Hyssop is a purgative that purges the inner alimentary canal; after that cleansing, we are washed in the outer man to be whiter than snow. Every snowflake has a tiny impurity at its core, but the redeemed of the Lord will be accounted wholly righteous and without sin. We will have the imputed righteousness of Christ to our account.
THE REFRAIN:
Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus; Come in today, Come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. The day the Lord enters the heart begins an eternity of companionship with Him. He will remain in that heart beyond the Gates of Splendor and into the rolling eternities future. But when is the right moment to make our calling and election certain in Christ? Do we have any assurance of our next breath or heartbeat? No! “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 (KJV) So when should we begin in earnest to consider the soul’s great expectation? “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (KJV)
I do not believe it necessary to examine the Greek, or English, meaning of the word ‘NOW,’ do I? It is so clear that an infant could understand. God’s Word is always of utter simplicity of expression. The theologians and so-called ‘higher critics’ may parse and investigate the meaning of the simple words of now, day, and time, but I believe my readers can all grasp, without elaboration, the simple meaning of NOW. See to it! There is not hiding place for sin in the heart, friends. Regardless the warmth of our convictions, those must be converted to meaningful ACTION!
