I Love The Lord But – Hymn Lyric
The hymn “I Love The Lord But” explores the inner conflict experienced by the author in their devotion to God. They acknowledge their wandering thoughts and desires, but express a deep longing to focus solely on loving the Lord. Despite the challenges they face, they turn to God for His grace and mercy to help confine their love to Him alone. This hymn serves as a reminder that even in our struggles, we can always seek God’s guidance and find our way back to Him.
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I Love The Lord But – Hymn Lyric
I love the Lord; but ah! how far
My thoughts from the dear object are!
This wanton heart, how wide it roves!
And fancy meets a thousand loves.
If my soul burn to see my God,
I tread the courts of his abode;
But troops of rivals throng the place,
And tempt me oft before his fate.
Would I enjoy my Lord alone,
I bid my passions all begone,
All but my love; and charge my will
To bar the door and guard it still.
But cares or trifles, make or find
Still new approaches to the mind;
Till I with grief and wonder see
Huge crowds betwixt the Lord and me.
This foolish hart can leave its God,
And shadows tempt its thoughts abroad;
How shall I fix this wandering mind?
Or throw my fetters on the wind?
Look gently down, almighty grace,
Prison me round in thine embrace;
Pity the soul that would be thine,
And let thy power my love confine.
Meaning of I Love The Lord But
In the hymn “I Love The Lord But”, the author expresses their love for God, but also acknowledges their struggle with keeping their thoughts focused solely on Him. They confess that their heart often strays and finds itself captivated by worldly desires and distractions. Despite their devotion to God, they find themselves tempted by the allure of other loves.
The author understands that if they truly want to experience the presence of the Lord, they must turn away from these distractions and immerse themselves in His presence. They long to be in the courts of God’s abode, where they can worship and connect with Him. However, they find themselves constantly surrounded by rivals, whether they be material possessions, desires, or other worldly temptations.
In an effort to combat this constant pull towards worldly matters, the author resolves to cast aside their passions and desires. They yearn to focus solely on loving God and make a conscious effort to shut out all other distractions. With determination, they guard their heart and mind, allowing only love for the Lord to enter.
However, despite their best efforts, the author finds that cares and trifles continue to find their way into their thoughts. The mind is easily swayed, and new distractions always seem to present themselves. This realization brings the author grief and wonder as they witness the growing divide between themselves and God. It saddens them that so many obstacles stand between them and their beloved Lord.
Feeling helpless in their struggle to fix their wandering mind, the author turns to God for assistance. They humbly ask for His grace and mercy to envelop them, to enclose them in a loving embrace that will keep them anchored. The author recognizes their own limitations and begs for God’s pity and understanding. They desire nothing more than to be completely devoted to Him, and they seek His power to confine their love to Him alone.
This hymn speaks to the universal struggle that many believers face the struggle to keep their thoughts and hearts solely focused on God. In a world filled with distractions and competing desires, it can be challenging to maintain unwavering devotion. This hymn serves as a reminder that it is normal to encounter these temptations, but it is important to continuously strive for God’s presence.
The author’s vulnerability and honesty resonate with many individuals who may be facing similar struggles. They show that even those with deep love for God can stumble and fall into temptation, but there is always the opportunity for redemption and renewal. By humbly seeking God’s grace, we can find the strength to break free from worldly distractions and once again experience the joy and fulfillment of a deep connection with Him.
In conclusion, the hymn “I Love The Lord But” beautifully expresses the internal struggle that many believers face in keeping their thoughts focused solely on God. The author acknowledges their own wandering heart and their longing to cast aside all distractions and love the Lord alone. They recognize the challenges they face and turn to God for His grace and power to confine their love to Him alone. This hymn serves as a reminder that, despite our best efforts, we may stumble and be drawn towards worldly desires, but through God’s mercy and our own determination, we can find our way back to Him. Let us take comfort in the fact that we are not alone in this struggle and have a loving God who is always ready to welcome us back into His embrace.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
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