Old Words Echo Still...

The old hymnbook lays open easy to page 143. It caught my attention as a teenager because it echoed my heart...put exact words to its cry. I gave it my own tune, to strum and sing, but it doesn't need one.

Now after many years, a world expanded, many seasons and new beginnings, it echoes still...

I want to share this treasure buried in time...perhaps it will give your heart words too.

Lord Thou Knowest all the hunger

Of the heart that seeks Thee now;

How my soul hath long been craving

What Thou only canst bestow.

Seeking now, seeking now,

Let Thy Spirit meet me now.

Failure in my walk and witness,

Failure in my work I see;

Fruitless toil, un-Christlike living,

Calling forth no praise to Thee.

Now to Thee my soul confesses

All its failure, all its sin;

All the pride, the self-contentment,

All the "secret faults" within.

Save me from myself my Father

From each subtle form of pride

Lead me now with Christ to Calvary

Show me I with Him have died

No more let it be my working,

Nor my wisdom, love, or power,

But the life of Jesus only,

Passing through me hour by hour.

Let the fulness of Thy Spirit

Resting on Him cover me,

That the witness borne to others,

May bring glory, Lord, to Thee.

Father, in They Son's Name, pleading,

I believe my prayer is heard;

And I praise Thee for the answer,

Resting simply on Thy word.

Praising now, praising now,

Thou has answered, Lord, I know!

by F.H. Allen