I’d Rather Have Jesus (Feb 9)
This poem written in 1922 by
Rhea Miller, was left on a piano
in the Shea home by Bev Shea
who wanted her son to find it
and change the course of his life.
The words, I’d rather have Jesus
moved George so much and
spoke to him about his aims in life.
He sat down at the piano and
began singing them with a tune
that seemed to fit the words.
George’s life direction did change
He was offered a popular music
career with NBC, but a few years
later chose to become associated
with evangelist Billy Graham and
sang this hymn around the world.
Lord Jesus, I rather have You:
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
‘If anyone would come after Me,
he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever wants to save
his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for Me will find it.
What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? Or what
can a man give in exchange
for his soul? (Matt 16:24-26).
Father God, forgive us when we
seek after temporal things to meet
the deep yearnings of our heart.
Your plan was to send Your Son,
to give us a life that is not empty
or imprisoned by sin’s chains.
Lord Jesus, thanks for Yr sacrificial
death to save us from our sins.
Nothing on earth deserves our
allegiance more than our Saviour.
Holy Spirit, Remind us to be always
grateful to Jesus for His love. Amen
Lord, we are created in Christ for
good works which God prepared
for each of us to live purposefully.
Grant us grace to find out and do
the heavenly things that You God
wants us to do while still on earth.
Grant us the attitude of Apostle
Paul who considers everything
rubbish that he may know Christ.
And grant us resolve to truly say:
I’d rather have Jesus for I’d rather
be true to His holy name. Amen.
Lord, I know this hymn is about
dedication and commitment
for to follow after Jesus is costly.
Grant me Lord the fervent will
to be able to sing from my heart,
and truly mean it, the words of
the hymn: I’d Rather Have Jesus.
Grant me Lord the grace to obey
Your word for apart from You
I can really do nothing. Amen.
Lord, I’d rather have Jesus
than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful
to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus
than world-wide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today. Amen.