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Himself

Himself Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord; Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word. Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own. Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone. Once ’t was painful trying, now ’tis perfect trust. Once a half salvation, now the uttermost. Once ’twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast. Once ’twas constant drifting, now my anchor’s cast. Once ’twas busy planning, now ’tis trustful prayer. Once ’twas anxious caring, now He has the care.   Once ’twas what I wanted, now what Jesus says. Once ’twas constant asking, now ’tis ceaseless praise.   Once it was my working, his it hence shall be. Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me. Once the power I wanted, now the Mighty One. Once for self I labored, now for Him alone.   Once I hoped in Jesus, now I know He’s mine. Once my lamps were dying, now they brightly shine. Once for death I waited, now His coming hail, and my hopes are anchored, safe within the veil. A.B Simpson (1843-1919), founder Cama Following poem, Himself, was first presented as part of a sermon by that same title which was preached at a Keswick Convention in England in 1885. There is a lot of talk about revival, and prayer for it, these days. Many are confused as to what to pray for, what we are seeking God for. A better nation? A stronger church? Or something that happens in us? While revival is something that happens to the church—true revival begins in the hearts of people. Believers become dissatisfied with their own spiritual condition, disgusted even. As that begins to happen, the heart cry becomes, “Jesus, give me more of Yourself!” True revival is simply a fresh vision and visitation of Christ in our lives and in the church. In this poem, Simpson captured a picture of what that looks like in a person’s heart and life.