Everything that matters most to us will rise to the top of our thoughts. As we go throughout each day, our minds are bombarded by ideas concerning our families, jobs, hobbies, and even sleep. While I’m not sure what thoughts crowd your mind, I’m certain that all of us could think upon Christ more. This months song is a prayer intended to foster just those kinds of thoughts.
Give me Jesus is an adaptation from Fanny Crosby’s hymn Take the World but Give me Jesus, originally written in 1879. Mrs. Crosby is a famous poet who lost her sight when she was merely six weeks old. At the age of eight, she recorded her first poem, which was the beginning of a lifelong passion. Christianity Today records,
While she enjoyed her poetry, she zealously memorized the Bible. Memorizing five chapters a week, even as a child she could recite the Pentateuch, the Gospels, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and many psalms chapter and verse.
While the world may have seen the life of Fanny Crosby a tragedy, she refused to allow her disability to keep her from being used by God. Throughout her life, she wrote 300 plus recorded songs. Today, her hymns are sung by churches across denominations and include: To God be the Glory, Blessed Assurance, and Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It.
In Bernard Ruffin’s biography, he records the origin of the hymn Take the World but Give Me Jesus. He writes, “Fanny was talking to one of her neighbors, who complained bitterly of his poverty. ‘If I had wealth I would be able to do just what I wish to do; and I would be able to make an appearance in the world.’ Fanny replied, ‘Well, take the world, but give me Jesus.’ She was here inspired by her own words to write a hymn with that title.” Too often our thoughts sound very similar to Fanny’s neighbor. If only I had a different car, then life would be better. If only I had a new house, then I would be happier. If I had a full bank account, obedient children, and a better job, then I could no longer be ashamed. Fanny’s poetry was intended to remind us of the joy and treasure we have in Christ. Not only are we to remember but we are to recognize their worth that far exceeds anything this world has to offer.
Sovereign Grace saw fit to use not only the poetry of Fanny Crosby but also the wisdom of her prayer to encourage the church today. We pray this adaptation will warm your heart, get stuck in your mind, and be on your lips.
Read the Lyrics below and meditate upon the greatness of Christ:
[Verse 1]
Take the world, but give me Jesus
All its joys are but a name
But His love abides forever
Through eternal years the same
[Verse 2]
Take the world, but give me Jesus
Sweetest comfort of my soul
With my Savior watching o’er me
I can sing though billows roll
[Chorus 1]
Oh, the height and depth of mercy
Oh, the length and breadth of love
Oh, the fullness of redemption
Pledge of endless life above
Take this world, my God’s enough
[Verse 3]
Take the world, but give me Jesus
In His cross, my trust shall be
Till with clearer, brighter vision
Face to face, my Lord I see
[Chorus 1]
Oh, the height and depth of mercy
Oh, the length and breadth of love
Oh, the fullness of redemption
Pledge of endless life above
Take this world, my God’s enough
[Bridge]
Take this world and give me Jesus
In His cross, my trust shall be
Take this world and give me Jesus
Till that day, my Lord I see
Take this world and give me Jesus
In His cross, my trust shall be
Take this world and give me Jesus
Till that day, my Lord I see
[Chorus 2]
Oh, the height and depth of mercy
Oh, the length and breadth of love
Oh, the fullness of redemption
Pledge of endless life above
Oh, the height and depth of mercy
Oh, the length and breadth of love
Oh, the fullness of redemption
Pledge of endless life above
Oh, the height and depth of mercy
Oh, the length and breadth of love
Oh, the fullness of redemption
Pledge of endless life above
Take this world, my God’s enough
Take this world, my God’s enough
