Sunday Hymnal: Just A Closer Walk With Thee

"For you shall go out from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil
into the homeland with joy and be led forth by your Leader, the Lord Himself,
and His word with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before
you into singing, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the
brier shall come up the myrtle tree, and it shall be to the Lord for a
name of renown, for an everlasting sign of jubilant exaltation and
memorial to His praise, which shall not be cut off."
(Isaiah 55:12-13)

The Family Of God

Nathan Greene

I am weak, but Thou art strong;

Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o'er

Time for me will be no more;

Guide my gently, safely o'er

To Thy Kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
Traditional Folksong 

"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"

(Patsy Cline version)

Isaiah 55:12-13

 The apostle Paul called the thorn in his side, "a messenger of Satan"
 which often reminded him of his total reliance upon God, and to
 to be ever mindful of the ugly sins of pride and self-righteousness.

Briers symbolize spiritual famine and death in this lost and fallen world. 

As Paul reminds us in Romans 6:23  "But the wages which sin pays is death,
but the bountiful free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

The Cypress tree in ancient Israel represents spiritual healing and
 righteousness, or right standing with God, which can only be obtained
 through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ The Messiah.

The beautiful, fragrant Myrtle is a slow growing tree but
known for its strong root system.  If the entire stump of the tree
is not removed after cutting, it's root system will cause it to grow again.

Both the Cyprus and the Myrtle represent Jesus. 

He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Only through Him do we have the way of access to God the Father. 

His truth was revealed in sending His followers the Holy Spirit
 for wisdom and guidance in this earthy life.

Through His precious blood shed on the cross, believers
 have an irrevocable reprieve from the death sentence of sin,
  and have been given the promise of eternal life with Him.