Day 8: I Am His, and He Is Mine (Loved with Everlasting Love)

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" Romans 7:21-24

I'm convinced that hymns like I Am His, and He is Mine would not be nearly as meaningful if it weren't for our daily struggle with our sinful nature.

Honestly! How many years do I have to struggle with the same sins over and over and over? It is so easy to fall into despair when we see little progress in our Christian walk. I often think about Paul's words above, and become discouraged. If Paul felt wretched, what does that make me? Oh, dear.

That is precisely the reason we need hymns like today's. We need to be reminded that despite our failings, we belong to Him. We need to remember that Paul immediately answered his own question (who will rescue me?) in verse 25: "Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!" We need to claim His full and perfect peace that He has promised to those who believe. We need to remind ourselves we are wrapped in His loving arms. Singing these truths is an excellent way to do just that. The antidote to despair is assurance.

But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.

HYMN I Am HIS and He is Mine from Keri on Vimeo.

I Am His, and He Is Mine (Loved with Everlasting Love)
George Wade Robinson, 1890

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know,
Spirit breathing from above, 
Thou hast taught me it is so!
Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.

Heav'n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with glader songs o'er-flow,
Flow'rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, 
I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care, and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav'n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.