Challenging Words

While looking for some good advice for myself as the new year gets under way, I was surprised to find it in an old hymn. When I started out in “church work” many years ago, the congregations with whom I worshiped sang this hymn from time to time, but I have not heard it sung at church in years. OK, here’s the advice to me as I start out in the year 2012. If you want to adopt it as yours, too, please be my guest.
The title of the hymn: “Yield Not to Temptation,” by Horatio R. Palmer.

Third verse:
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Savior, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
It just seemed to me as I read these words, that they provide an appropriate meditation as the new year gets started.