Monday Meditation: I Could Not Do Without Thee

 

 

 "It is I; be not afraid."
(John 6:20)

Butterflies of Summer
Image courtesy/Fearless Gardening

 

 

 

 

I could not do without Thee

O Savior of the lost!

Whose precious blood redeemed me

At such tremendous cost.

Thy righteousness, Thy pardon

Thy precious blood, must be

My only hope and comfort,

My glory and my plea. 

I could not do without Thee!

I cannot stand alone,

I have no strength or goodness,

No wisdom of my own;

But Thou, beloved Savior,

Art all in all to me,

And weakness will be power,

If leaning hard on Thee. 

I could not do without Thee,

For, oh! the way is long,

And I am often weary,

And sigh replaces song.

How could I do without Thee?

I do not know the way;

Thou knowest, and Thou leadest,

And wilt not let me stray. 

 

I could not do without Thee,

O Jesus, Savior dear!

E'en when my eyes are holden,

I know that Thou is near.

How dreary and how lonely

This changeful life would be,

Without the sweet communion,

The secret rest with Thee. 

 

I could not do without Thee!

No other friend can read

The spirit's strange deep longings,

Interpreting its need;

No human heart could enter

Each dim recess of mine,

And soothe, and hush, and calm it,

O blessed Lord, but Thine! 

I could not do without Thee!

For years are fleeting fast,

And soon in solemn loneliness

The river must be passed;

But Thou wilt never leave me,

And though the waves roll high,

I know Thou wilt be near me,

And whisper, "It is I." 

 

 

"I Could Not Do Without Thee"
(1873)
Frances Ridley Havergal
(1836-1879)
Prolific English Christian 
hymn writer and poetess