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— From the song written by H. L. Gilmour (1885)

HAVEN OF REST

My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea,
So burdened with sin, and distressed,
Till I heard a sweet voice saying, “Make Me your choice,”
And I entered the haven of rest.

Refrain:
I’ve anchored my soul in the haven of rest,
I’ll sail the wide seas no more;
The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep,
In Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

I ask you to stop whatever you are about and gentle yourself as you try to envision what these lyrics speak to you…

First, you need to picture what you envision as your personal ‘Haven of Rest’, the place where you and the Lord have close, precious communion… (For example, I picture a tropical shielded beach with the sun shining, the palm trees giving shade, and the waves of a blue-green sea lapping gently on the white sand.)

— What do you picture in your own special place?

— That is your place of rest… Remember that scene as we look to the rest of these lyrics.

1/ My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea, So burdened with sin, and distressed…

— To seek refuge, you first need to recognize the perilous storm.

— Where did you first see your need of God’s rest? (What were the circumstances that brought you to repent of your lifestyle, as you recognized the gracious offer of God’s forgiveness and His promise to lead you on to victory and a home in His heaven.)

2/ Till I heard a sweet voice saying, “Make Me your choice,” And I entered the haven of rest.

— Can you remember how it felt to have your burdens lifted? (As you do this you are passing from that storm through the gates of the cross, into that safe harbour.)

3/ I’ve anchored my soul in the haven of rest, I’ll sail the wide seas no more.
The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep, In Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

— Now receive the blessings the vision the lyrics of this song bring forth… I pray that the peace of God that passes all understanding, is taking you beyond the pain and confusion to the safe and secure arms of God, who suffered so you could be set free.

I’ve one more question for you…

— Do you ever long to return to the storm? (If you have appetites for the sinful life you left behind, you really need to stop everything and seek the Lord. ~ He promises in His own words, “I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up.  (7)  I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:6-7)

To close I invite you to hear this sung by the Booth Brothers (a wonderful version of this song).