Monday Meditation: Here, O My Lord, I See Thee

 

 

 

"Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am known fully."
(1 Corinthians 13:12)

 

 Image courtesy/ Lamb and Lion Ministries

 Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;

 Here would I touch and handle things unseen;

Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,

And all my weariness upon Thee lean. 

Here would I feed upon the bread of God,

Here drink with Thee the royal wine of Heav'n;

Here would I lay aside each earthly load,

Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

 

This is the hour of banquet and of song;

This is the heavenly table spread for me;

Here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong

The hallowed hour of fellowship with Thee. 

Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear;

The feast, tho' not the love, is past and gone.

The bread and wine remove; but Thou art here,

Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun. 

I have no help but Thine; nor do I need

Another arm save Thine to lean upon;

It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;

My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.

I have no wisdom save in Him who is

My wisdom and my teacher both in One;

No wisdom can lack while Thou art wise;

No teaching do I crave save Thine alone. 

Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness;

Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood;

Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;

Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God!

 

I know that deadly evils compass me,

Dark perils threaten, yet I would not fear,

Nor poorly shrink, nor feebly turn to flee,

Thou, O my Christ, art buckler, sword, and spear. 

But see, the pillar cloud is rising now,

And moving onward thro' the desert night;

It beckons, and I follow, for I know

It leads me to the heritage of light. 

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;

Yet, passing, points to the glad feast above,

Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,

The Lamb's great bridal feast of bliss and love. 

 

"Here, O My Lord, I See Thee"
(1855)
Horatius Bonar
(1808-1889 )
Scottish churchman and poet,
Often called, "The Prince of Scottish hymns".