I Am Thine O Lord Draw me nearer

“I Am Thine, O Lord” (Draw me nearer) #4, Sacred Selections

Background • Author – Frances Jan Van Alstyne (pen name for Fanning J Crosby (1820 -1915)) • Published around 1875 • Music composed by William H Doane • A song about I Am Thine, surrender O Lord

Vs. 1 - Surrender • I am Thine, O Lord – do we belong to Him? • Romans 12: 1 -2 • Galatians 3: 27 – put on Christ Romans 13: 14 • Galatians 2: 20 – I am crucified with Christ I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 1 - Surrender • I have heard Thy voice – He speaks through His word • Hebrews 1: 1 -2 – through His Son (John 6: 63) Hebrews 4: 12 – His word is living and powerful I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 1 - Surrender • And it told Thy love to me – we learn of His love in His word • John 3: 16 • Romans 5: 8 – God demonstrates His love • 1 John 4: 9 -11, 19 – He loved us, we ought to love I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 1 - Surrender • But I long to rise in the arms of faith – may my faith increase • Romans 10: 17 – comes by hearing • Romans 1: 16 -17 – from faith to faith • James 1: 21 – the “implanted word” is able to save your souls I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 1 - Surrender • And be closer drawn to Thee – this will happen as our faith grows I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 2 - Consecration • Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord • Consecrate – to make something available, specifically for holy purposes • We are set apart AND purified • Joshua 6: 19, Leviticus 20: 7, Exodus 32: 29 • Hebrews 10: 20 -22 – Jesus “consecrated” a new and living way for us I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 2 - Consecration • By the power of grace divine • God has done what we cannot do • When we respond, God saves us Ephesians 2: 8 -9 I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 2 - Consecration • Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope • Hope is our anchor Hebrews 6: 19 • Romans 8: 24 -25 – with steadfast hope we eagerly wait I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 2 - Consecration • And my will be lost in Thine • Again, it is not about my selfish ways - Galatians 2: 20 • 1 Peter 4: 1 -2 – we no longer live the rest of our time in the flush fulfilling lusts I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 3 - Prayer • The importance of prayer is continually emphasized. It is crucial if we are to draw near to God • Hebrews 4: 15 -16 – we can boldly come before His throne I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 3 - Prayer • O the pure delight of a single hour that before Thy throne I spend • How important is prayer to me? How much do I pray? How often? When? • 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 -18, 3: 9 -10 – night and day I Am Thine, Even Jesus prayed O Lord

Vs. 3 - Prayer • When I kneel in prayer • While the posture in prayer is not specified, it should be reverent! • 1 Timothy 2: 8 Matthew 6: 6 – in your closet I Am Thine, O Lord

Vs. 3 - Prayer • And with Thee my God, I commune as friend with friend • God is personal • John 15: 13 -16 – are we as friends with Him (while maintaining godliness)? • John 14: 23 I Am Thine, O Lord Philippians 4: 6 -7

Vs. 4 - Hope • There are depths of love that I cannot know, till I cross the narrow sea • As our faith grows, so does our love – 1 John 4: 19 • But we will not fully grasp His love until we cross over (Jordan) – I Am Thine, O Lord Ephesians 3: 17 -19 Romans 8: 35 -39

Vs. 4 - Hope • There are heights of joy that I may not reach, till I rest in peace with Thee • Yes we rejoice now – Philippians 4: 4, Romans 12: 15, even Matthew 5: 10 -12 • But consider the joy in His I Am Thine, presence – O Lord 1 Peter 4: 12 -13

Chorus – Draw me nearer • Draw me nearer, nearer • Is that our goal? Growth in Him James 4: 8 I Am Thine, O Lord

Chorus – Draw me nearer • Nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died • The cross is central to our faith Hebrews 10: 22 • Hebrews 7: 19 – better hope through which we draw near I Am Thine, O Lord

Chorus – Draw me nearer • Draw me nearer, … blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side • Again the cross, but here the emphasis is on what He endured on the cross • John 19: 34 – His side was pierced • His blood cleanses us – I Am Thine, O Lord 1 John 1: 7 Revelation 1: 5

Are you drawing nearer to Him?