Love of a jealous kind, 10.

9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

LORD, why is this?! I trembling cried.
Will You pursue Your own to death?

[

thank You for laboring with me in love.

so meticulous, so kind
to make me Yours.

]

Tis in this way, the LORD replied,
I answer prayer for grace and strength.
These inward trials I now employ,
From self, and pride, to set you free;
And break your schemes of earthly joys,
Til you should find your all in Me.

I asked the Lord that I might grow in faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know and seek more earnestly His face.

It was He who taught me thus to pray, and He, I trust, has answered my prayer!
But it has been in such a way as almost drove me to despair.

I'd hoped that in some favored hour, at once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining power subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel the hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell assault my soul in every part.

Yea more with His own hand He seemed intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I'd schemed, capsized my heart.
God laid me low.

// John Newton