Be With Me Lord #27, Sacred Selections

1934-35 (written, first published) Background Written by Thomas Obadiah Chisholm (1866-1960) Music composed by Lloyd Otis Sanderson (1902-1992) Together they created about a dozen hymns 1934-35 (written, first published)

This song is a reminder that we need our Lord with us at all times Background This song is a reminder that we need our Lord with us at all times To what degree does He influence us? A good song to consider when we are facing difficulties in this life

Verse 1 – I Cannot live without Thee Be with me Lord He has promised to be with us Matthew 28:20 Philippians 4:6-7 We may not understand exactly how, He is with us, but if we are following Him, He is there

Verse 1 – I Cannot live without Thee Are we truly dependent on Him? Philippians 3:7-11 Matthew 16:26, What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world …

Verse 1 – I Cannot live without Thee I dare not try to take one step alone Does He influence us everywhere and at all times? Jeremiah 10:23 Luke 18:22, that “one thing”? Luke 14:33, forsake all

Verse 1 – I Cannot live without Thee I cannot bear the loads of life unaided We all have burdens in life. We are NOT alone Matthew 11:28-30 1 Peter 5:6-7, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you

Verse 1 – I Cannot live without Thee I need Thy strength to lean Myself upon Is He the source of strength Philippians 4:13 Ephesians 3:14-16, that He would grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man

Verse 2 – If dangers threaten …and then if dangers threaten Trust in God, and do not fear man – Matthew 10:28

Verse 2 – If dangers threaten If storms of trials burst above my head. If lashing seas leap everywhere about me… Times of great troubles and testing All around – “hostile territory” 1 Peter 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:12, Acts 14:21-22

Verse 2 – If dangers threaten …They cannot harm, or make my heart afraid When God is on our side we can endure with faith Just as Jesus calmed the seas of Galilee – Matthew 8:23-27 John 16:33 Romans 8:31 Hebrews 13:5-6

Verse 3 – No other gift or blessing …No other gift of blessing Thou couldst bestow…compare The gifts of God – His grace Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Romans 5:1-2 His presence – James 1:17, every good and perfect gift is from above…

Verse 3 – No other gift or blessing A constant sense of Thy abiding presence, where-er I am, to feel that Thou are near God IS with us Not some mere emotional or subjective feeling or experience (cf. Acts 10:44)

Verse 3 – No other gift or blessing A constant sense of Thy abiding presence,… How can we know? We know Him 1 John 2:3-5, 3:24 – by obedience Walking in the light – 1 John 1:5-7 Through love – 1 John 4:7-8, 14:23 Through faith – Hebrews 13:5 Ephesians 3:17 Through purity – 1 John 3:1-3

Verse 4 – times of sorrow and loneliness …when loneliness o’er takes me, when I must weep amidst the fires of pain In life we face loneliness for many reasons We also face pain and sorrows We are not alone – cf. 2 Timothy 4:17 The worst loneliness is when we do not feel the Lord is with us cf. Psalm 22:1, Job, etc.

Verse 4 – times of sorrow and loneliness And when shall come the hour of my departure for worlds unknown… We will face this – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 1:12 The point of this song – He is and will be with us – we hope! 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Is the Lord really with you?