[Biblemat] hymn study, "Looking To Thee"

[Wayne S Walker]

Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.
"LOOKING TO THEE"
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." (Heb. 12.2)
   
     A song which encourages us to look unto Jesus as the author and
finisher of our faith is "Looking to Thee" (#530 in Hymns for Worship
Revised, and #434 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The text was
written by James Rowe (1865-1933).  A prolific author of gospel hymn
texts, he emigrated from England to the United States and produced such
well know favorites as "After the Shadows," "God Holds the Future in His
Hands," "He's My King," "Home of the Soul," "I Choose Jesus," "I'm Going
That Way," "Love Lifted Me," "I'm Redeemed," "What Is He Worth to Your
Soul?", "Won't It Be Wonderful There?", "Wonderful Jesus," "You Never
Mentioned Him to Me," and "Ring Out the Message."   
     The tune for "Looking to Thee" was composed by Herschel M. Eagle
(1880-1927).  I have been unable to locate any information about the
composer, other than that he lived in Burke's Garden, VA, and that he
copyrighted the song in 1911.  Among hymnbooks published by members of
the Lord's church during the twentieth century for use in churches of
Christ, the song appeared in the 1940 Complete Christian Hymnal edited by
Marion Davis; and the 1978 Hymns of Praise edited by Reuel Lemmons.  
Today it may be found in the 1971 Songs of the Church and the 1990 Songs
of the Church 21st C. Ed. both edited by Alton H. Howard; and the 1992
Praise for the Lord edited by John P. Wiegand; in addition to Hymns for
Worship and Sacred Selections.
     The song talks about the benefits of looking to Jesus as we journey
here on earth.
I. Stanza 1 says that Jesus will keep us
"Looking to Thee from day to day, Trusting Thy grace along the way,
Knowing that Thou wilt safely keep all that is Thine;
Sure of Thy soul redeeming love, Sure of a crown of life above, Singing
Thy praise I press along, Savior divine."
 A. Christ has promised to keep all those who truly trust and follow Him:
Jn. 10.27-29
 B. The reason why He does this is because of His soul-redeeming love for
His people: Eph. 5.2
 C. The result of this knowledge that Jesus will keep us is that we can
be filled with joy and sing His praise as we press along: Col. 3.16 
II. Stanza 2 says that Jesus will provide for us
"Looking to Thee for all I need, Finding in Thee a friend indeed, All of
the burdens of the day meekly I bear;
Neither the foe nor storm I fear, Savior divine, for Thou art near, Ready
my cares and troubles all freely to share."
 A. Jesus will provide for all that we need because we can find in Him a
Friend indeed: Jn. 15.13-15
 B. Because He is our Friend and provider, we need never fear anything,
whether foe or storm: Heb. 13.5-6
 C. As our Friend and provider, He tells us that we may cast all our
cares on Him: 1 Pet. 5.7
III. Stanza 3 says that Jesus will give us a home in heaven
"After a while in heaven bright, Where there is neither sin nor night, I
shall behold Thee face to face, Jesus my own;
Then with the dear ones gone before, I shall with rapture more and more,
Praise Thee forever near the bright beautiful throne."
 A. The place where the living hope to which we are begotten by the
resurrection of Christ is reserved is in heaven: 1 Pet. 1.3-5
 B. There, we shall behold Jesus Christ face to face: 1 Jn. 3.1-3
 C. Also, we shall be able to praise Him forever with the dear ones gone
before: 1 Thess. 4.13-17.  (As usual, Ellis Crum in Sacred Selections
made this read "saved ones," as if Christians have no right to expect
that they shall see any "loved ones," even those in Christ, in heaven,
and most of our other books have copied the song from him, although
Praise for the Lord has "loved ones.")
     The chorus reminds us of the importance of continuing to look to
Jesus as we press along in this life:
"Looking to Thee, Trusting Thy grace, I am as happy as a true soldier can
be;
Nearing my own Heavenly place, Trusting Thy love I press along, looking
to Thee."
While the Lord had given us many wonderful gifts for our lives here on
earth, He has never promised His people that their journey here will be
easy.  There will be trials and tribulations in addition to the triumphs
and tributes, so to help us bear the difficulties, we should have the
attitude that we will always tell Him, "We are 'Looking to Thee.'"
     Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
9024 Amona Dr.
Affton, MO  63123
home phone: (314) 638-4710
office phone: (314) 544-1612
e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com
website: www.defenderoftruth.com
     Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website.  Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion.  It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com.  And
if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you
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http://groups.yahoo.com/hymnoftheday/ .