I read the email Friday morning from Kate Motaung and saw that ‘turn’ is her word for us today. It’s the Five Minute Friday writing prompt for anyone who wants to write along. Come, join us!
I read ‘turn’, and then my heart began to sing the refrain of this old hymn. Realizing I don’t know anything more about the song, I looked it up. I found a treasure wrapped in a tiny box as I read the fullness of the message!
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
- O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!- Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
- Refrain:
- Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are! - His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Helen H. Lemmel, 1922; copywrite, public domain
It seems that the words of the refrain spring up from inside me at random and unexpected moments. When God’s Spirit sings truth to my flesh, I am reminded of a time when I asked Jesus to pinch me when He finds me wandering off in my own strength and determination. I did also ask Him to do it gently.
I believe that when I recognize the song in my heart and the words on my lips, it’s Him answering that simple prayer. Surely the Holy Spirit notices when my focus is on me, and my circumstances, and then gently nudges me back.
Turn my eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face.
And when I sing it in my heart and then the words come out of my mouth in heartfelt song, it is true that the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. It’s not an instantaneous shift, but a gradual renewing of the mind. It’s truth on repeat until my mind and my heart align in faith and courage to remain focused on the prize.
The words of this song harken back to the message found in Hebrews 12:1-2.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
As I spend some lengthy minutes meditating on the whole song, my soul receives refreshment. Who would know that this hymn was written a century past except for some outdated verbiage. The gospel message encapsulated in this little hymn is just as relevant today.
So, friend, are you weary and troubled today?Are you in need of some light for your path? Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. Wait there a while and notice how the things of this world begin to fade into the background.
I pray the words of this short and tender hymn encourage you today. It is true His word will never fail us. And when we’ve been restored, and strengthened with a proper focus on Christ, let us go out “to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!”
Live Love Brightly,
Lisa
Additional scripture references found in this little hymn:
What other scripture references do you find in this rich little hymn?
Lovely post, Lisa. I’ve been singing that refrain for many years, thinking it was a verse in itself, but never knew there were verses to go with it. We used to sing what I thought was another verse to the same tune as that refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, let nobody else take His place,
so that hour by hour, you may know His power,
till at last you have run the great race.
Wow, isn’t that interesting?! I too thought that the refrain was a song in itself, but I am so glad I finally looked it up. Thank you for visiting and taking time to respond. Merry Christmas!
I’m not weary, I’m not troubled,
I’m a hip toe-tappin’ man
even though my body’s rubbled;
cancer, catch me if you can!
I can see the world go crazy,
and I do not care a fig,
just another whoops-a-daisy,
so c’mon, let’s dance a jig
with the Lord of all creation,
Son, and Holy Spirit, too,
and watch all of life’s frustration
melt away like morning dew
in the bright and bejeweled fires
reflecting Heaven’s golden spires.
C’mon, let’s dance a jig! Oh you will be dancing the grand streets of gold without a worry or care! What a glorious day that will be!!
Thank you for taking time here to leave your poetry!
I need to ask the Holy Spirit to pinch me – gently! – as well; that’s such a good idea. I’m very familiar with the refrain to that old hymn but not nearly so much with the second and third verses. What encouragement and truth in the hymn and in what you shared for this prompt. Visiting from FMF#4 today
Thank you, Kym, for visiting and responding. I look forward to finding out how Jesus answers your prayer for a pinch! I’m looking for your post.
Bless you!
I had to smile when I read that you one time asked Jesus to pinch you when He found you wandering off on your own strength and determination–but gently! That’s a worthy prayer to bring before Him every now and then. (I may just have to borrow it!) Thank you, Lisa!
Hi Nancy! Thanking you for stopping in to read and comment today. And feel free to borrow. He’s likely to surprise you with the sweetest nudge!
Bless you!