Close to Thee
Thou my everlasting Portion,more than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
close to Thee, close to Thee,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
nor for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
only let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
close to Thee, close to Thee,
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
only let me walk with Thee.
Lead me through the vale of shadows,
bear me over life’s fitful sea;
Then the gate of life eternal
may I enter, Lord, with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
close to Thee, close to Thee,
Then the gate of life eternal
may I enter, Lord, with Thee.
We sang this in today's (Sunday's) worship service. It's very melodious and the words are very stirring. Of the three stanzas, I like the second one. That is the best prayer to utter, yet the hardest. How many of us can willingly and sincerely ask for sufferings? If we do, thank the Lord for such a spirit!!
Anyway, to be close to God is the sweetest thing. I've had my time of spiritual zeal, but sadly now it's rather lukewarm. Like the Bible said, losing the first love is easy.
"Close to Thee, close to Thee..."