16*. O Jesus, Friend Unfailing

7,6.
by H.K. Burlingham, 1865, from German
1
O Jesus, Friend unfailing,
 
How dear art Thou to me!
 
Are cares or fears assailing?
 
I find my strength in Thee!
 
Why should my feet grow weary
 
Of this my pilgrim way?
 
Rough though the path and dreary,
 
It ends in perfect day!
2
Naught, naught I court as pleasure,
 
Compared, O Christ, with Thee!
 
Thy sorrow, without measure,
 
Earned peace and joy for me.
 
I love to own, Lord Jesus,
 
Thy claims o’er me divine,
 
Bought with Thy blood most precious,
 
Whose can I be but Thine!
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
3
What fills my heart with gladness?
 
’Tis Thine abounding grace!
 
Where can I look in sadness,
 
But, Jesus, on Thy face?
 
My all is Thy providing,
 
Thy love can ne’er grow cold;
 
In Thee, my Refuge, hiding,
 
No good wilt Thou withhold.
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Romans 5:20)
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
“<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)
4
Why should I droop in sorrow?
 
Thou’rt ever by my side!
 
Why, trembling, dread the morrow?
 
What ill can e’er betide?
 
If I my cross have taken,
 
’Tis but to follow Thee;
 
If scorned, despised, forsaken,
 
Naught severs Thee from me!
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (Psalm 42:5)
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34)
“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” (Psalm 5:4)
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
5
Oh worldly pomp and glory,
 
Your charms are spread in vain!
 
I’ve heard a sweeter story!
 
I’ve found a truer gain!
 
Where Christ a place prepareth,
 
There is my loved abode;
 
There shall I gaze on Jesus:
 
There shall I dwell with God.
6
For every tribulation,
 
For every sore distress,
 
In Christ I’ve full salvation,
 
Sure help and quiet rest.
 
No fear of foes prevailing!
 
I triumph, Lord, in Thee!
 
O Jesus! Friend unfailing,
 
How dear art Thou to me!
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