Not I but Christ

by Naomi
from Virtuous Daughters, October/November 2019~Volume 19, Number 4

It's not my grip of Christ, but His firm grasp of me,
That gives me hope and peace, and makes my fears to flee.
 
It's not my faith so weak, but His strong faithfulness,
On which I rest this faithless heart, by doubts too much distressed.
 
It's not my trust in Him, but He, the One I trust,
Who gives me daily hope and joy, for cling to Him I must.
 
It's not this prideful heart, so easily deceived,
But on His precious Word I stand, from Him, the Truth, received.
 
It's not my feelings fair, so changeful, so confused,
But on Himself I rest alone, 'tis there my heart is soothed.
 
It's not what I have done, or never done at all--
But on His righteousness alone, without Him, I will fall.
 
It's not my works of good, or aught that's good in me,
I'm trusting in His blood alone, Who died on Calvary.
 
It's not my prayers or tears, so selfish, so distracted,
But in the One Who bends to hear, His ever-listening ear.
 
It's not my words, so weak, so human, and so foolish,
But in my Lord Who reigns above, and intercedes in love.
 
It's not my hope in Him, which stronger flows, then fades,
But in His precious promises, they're true through all life's days.
 
It's not my love for Him, faint, wavering, as it is,
But His immeasurable love for me, and that He counts me His!
 
It's not my power--weak, but on His mighty power,
In which my weakness is made strong, from which I draw each hour.
 
It is not I, but it is Christ, I'm nothing--He is all in all.
Oh, I would fail Him constantly, should I not on Him call.
 
It is not I, but it is Christ, for sinful, weak I am.
It's not my righteousness, but His, the holy, perfect Lamb!
 
It is not I, but it is Christ, I on Christ fully rest,
His mercy, His abounding grace, His eternal faithfulness.
 
Oh, then, may it so be--that I will not be seen,
But in His beauty and glory, Christ may live out through me!