A Closer Walk
Home » Original Songs » Updated HymnsTags: Desires for Holiness, Style: Somewhat Contemporary
Posted by David L. Ward on October 10th, 2003
Description
Though our salvation is eternally secure because it is based on God's sovereign choice and sovereign work, we often fall into periods of spiritual wantonness that is sometimes called "backsliding". God will never allow true believers to slide "off" - to fall beyond repentance, but when we are stuck in this funk, neglecting the joy of our salvation and clinging to our sin, we can fall into real despair. The writer of this song knew this despair, the gloom of remembering the sweet moments once spent with the Lord in His Word. We can identify with this song because of our indewlling sin that causes us, even if for brief moments or hours, to stray from our God and worship the idol of self. We should long for a closer walk with God and look forward to the time when we will truly worship God alone.Lyrics
Where is the happiness I knewWhen I first met the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and His word?
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Chorus:
How I long to walk closer with You,
To be free from this body of death;
To leave what I once knew
And strive with every breath
For a closer walk.
The dearest idol I have known,
Of all I think and do -
Help me to tear it from Your throne,
And worship only You.
Return, O Spirit, never leave -
Please come and never depart!
I hate the sins that made you grieve
And drove You from my heart.
Words by William Cowper (1731-1800) and David Ward. Music by David L. Ward.
© 2004 ThousandTongues.org, admin by Thousand Tongues
© 2004 ThousandTongues.org, admin by Thousand Tongues