Joy Is A Fruit Which Will Not Grow In Nature's Barren Soil

 

"But grow in grace, undeserved favor, spiritual strength,
and recognition and knowledge and understanding of 
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Messiah.
To Him be glory, honor, majesty both now
and to the day of eternity! Amen!"
(11 Peter 3:18)

Bind Up The Broken Hearted
Sandy Freckleton Gagon
Image courtesy/Christ Fine Art

Joy is a fruit that will not grow

In nature's barren soil;

All we can boast, till Christ we know,

Is vanity and toil.

But where the Lord has planted grace,

And made His glories known,

There fruits of heavenly joy and peace

Are found and there a-lone.

A bleeding Saviour seen by faith,

A sense of pard'ning love,

A hope that triumphs o-ver death

Give joys like those a-bove.

To take a glimpse with-in the veil,

To know that God is mine-

Are springs of joy that never fail

Un-speak-a-ble, divine!

These are the joys which sat-is-fy

And sanc-ti-fy the mind;

Which make the spirit mount on high,

And leave the world behind.

"Joy Is A Fruit Which Will Not Grow
 In Nature's Barren Soil"
(1779)
 John Newton
(1725-1807)
English Anglican clergyman and hymn writer.
He wrote one of Christianity's most beloved hymns,
"Amazing Grace"