I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Backgrounder: The lyrics are based
on the last words of Nokseng, a
Garo man, a tribe from Meghalaya
in Assam India, who along with
his family decided to follow Jesus
Christ in mid 19th century thro
the efforts of a Welsh missionary.
Called to renounce his faith by the
village chief, the convert declared,
“I have decided to follow Jesus.”
His two children were killed and in
response to threats to his wife, he
continued, “Though none go with
me, still I will follow.” His wife was
killed, and he was executed while
singing:’The cross before me,
the world behind me.’ This display
of faith is reported to have led to
the conversion of the chief and
others in the village. The fierce
opposition is possible, as various
tribes in that area were formerly
renowned for head-hunting.
The formation of these words into
a hymn is attributed to the Indian
missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Nov 3)”