This wonderful hymn has caught the eye of many a composer. Its flowing and beautifully rhyming text never compromises the quality of its deep, heartfelt message. I hope you are encouraged in the reading of this sacred poem as I was.
1. My faith has found a resting place-
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the ever-living One-
His wounds for me shall plead.
2. Enough for me that Jesus saves-
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
3. My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
4. My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.
Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
About the Author
Listed in many hymnals as Lidie H. Edmunds (a pen name), Eliza Edmunds Hewitt wrote the lyrics to this hymn and many others. She was born on the 28th of June, 1851, in Philadelphia. After she finished her secondary-level education, she became a schoolteacher. All too soon she developed an impairing disorder in her spine, which hindered her from teaching. Eliza became bedridden and could not teach, so she turned to studying once again. She studied English literature and soon began writing poems, among which our hymn of the month takes its place.
I find it amazing how many of the hymn writers had debilitating illnesses or issues, and yet they allowed God to use them despite those issues- even through them!
Eventually, she was able to teach again- but this time, in a different setting. Eliza taught children's Sunday school classes and served the Lord until the day she reached glory in 1920.
Citations
A Few Thoughts
The portion of this poem that I would like to draw your attention to is the very first verse: "My faith has found a resting place- not in device nor creed; I trust the ever living One- His wounds for me shall plead." Is that true of us? We may be saved, but is our faith indeed resting on He who pleads for us? Is Christ truly sufficient, or do we still seek devices and creeds? I am challenged as I write this; because if Christ is enough, if Christ is More, then what need do we have of seeking fulfillment and peace in any of the things here on Earth? Any true and lasting sense of belonging for Christians can only come from reliance and personal trust in Jesus Christ.