Saturday, April 05, 2008

Just As I Am

I mentioned on my other blog about a really nice book that many of us received as a gift from our church at Christmas. It is called The One Year Book of Christian History, and it is a daily glimpse into the lives of many Christians and many events in the history of God's people. We're all enjoying it so much. You can get it several places, but since I'm a blog partner with the Westminster Bookstore, I thought I would mention that you may get the book there. Just follow the link at the book's title above. I really do think you would like having it for your family or individual devotional time--it's such an encouragement. Sometimes it's convicting when I read what so many of the saints have been through and how we are today.

I'm a little behind in my reading right now--the entry for each day is very short, BTW--and I just recently read the devotional for March 17th. It was about Charlotte Elliott, who wrote the hymn I'm posting this evening. So many of the hymn writers had difficult lives, as you know, and Miss Elliott was one of the ones who did. She was in poor health and struggled with depression. She eventually came to Christ as a result of the words of a minister who was an acquaintance. She had said to him that she wanted to come to Jesus and be saved, but she didn't know how. His reply to her was "Come to him just as you are." Some time later, these words were an inspiration to her to write this beloved hymn that so many of us love. Many years after, about a century later, a young man went forward to receive Christ at an evangelist service and this hymn was the first song of invitation. Guess who the young man was? His name was Billy Graham.

I'm posting this hymn for anyone who is lost and hopeless in this world of sin. Any person who reads this and is unsaved tonight would fit into that category. I would also direct the Christian who might be weak and weary from this pilgrimage to read and meditate on these words. I know this hymn is often associated with walking an aisle to profess faith, but my prayer is that your heart will be gripped by Miss Elliott's testimony and you'll come to Jesus where you are and just as you are.

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am! thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am! thy love unknown
Has broken ev'ry barrier down;
Now, to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Listen here.

6 comments:

Susan said...

I never hear this beloved hymn but what I think of Billy Graham. He certainly took it and almost made it his own. Just as our Lord Jesus takes us and makes us His own!!
Susan

Theresa's Notes said...

I love that hymn.

I'm doing a "guess this Hymn" on my blog every Sunday night and Wednesday. It's up right now if you want to go see if you can guess the hymn.

~~Deby said...

I love this hymn and it always brings up memories from attending some Billy Granham crusades...the words are so good.
Deby

Cathy said...

Thank you for telling us about the author, Maxine. I enjoyed reading all the wonderful verses.

TO BECOME said...

Dear Maxine, I love this song, it is the song they were singing when I walked the isle after being saved. I will always have a very special place in my heart for the words of this song. I never knew that about Billy Graham though.Hope you have a wonderful day. connie from Texas

Beverly said...

I love this hymn - it is one that I don't think we remember often enough. God has definitely worked through it many, many times!