I Would Be True

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) ⁶Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Isaiah 7:9b (NIV) ^9bIf you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Zechariah 1:3 (NIV) ³This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Interestingly today’s featured hymn wasn’t written as a hymn, but as a poem to the author’s mother, assuring her of his intentions to remain true to his faith in God. It was his way to show his appreciation for the years she taught him of God’s love and the many years she prayed for him. The hymn was originally a poem entitled “My Creed” and the author was Howard A. Walter.

We love our children. We teach them about God’s love and guide them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Tragically, too many young men and women who have grown up in Christian homes leave or drift away from the faith they once held fast as a child. Our society and our schools bombard them with world views that are contrary to what they have been taught with devastating consequences. This is especially hard for parents (and grandparents) who have taught their children in the best ways they know how to do; watching painfully as their child or children adopt world views.  All we are able to do is surround them with our prayers – knowing that God is faithful – knowing that the whole reason for the delay in Christ’s return is to provide more time for repentance.

There is a little bit more to the story of Howard A. Walter. At the age of 23 he left to study for a year in a foreign country, where this poem was written in 1907 and sent to his mother back home. He would only live for approximately 12 more years before succumbing to the 1918 flu epidemic in yet another country at the age of 35. We are never guaranteed length of life. Our main purpose in life is to make the most of every minute in remaining faithful to the Lord and true to whatever tasks He has called us to do.

Today, I ask you to join me in prayer for the families who have raised their children in the faith, but who are desperately praying for family members who have made other choices in life and drifted away from that saving faith. Pray that the Lord’s delay in His return will provide the time needed for our loved ones to return to belief in God and faith in Christ. Pray that our children would be ‘true’ ‘pure’ ‘strong’ and ‘brave’.

I Would Be True (Howard Arnold Walter, 1907)

I would be true, for there are those that trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare, I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all – the foe, the friendless; I would be giving, and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift, I would look up and laugh, and love, and lift.

I would be prayerful thro’ each busy moment; I would be constantly in touch with God; I would be tuned to hear the slightest whisper; I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod, I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.

 

Lord God Almighty, our Father;

Today we come to you not focused upon ourselves, but focused upon our children and any of our loved ones who have drifted away from the faith they once had in You. Surround them with your love; remind them of your grace and mercy; reassure them you stand but a whisper away – ready to receive them back again. Comfort the aching hearts of parents and grandparents.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  I Would Be True appeared first on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Advent Christian Hymnal, ACGC, 1952.