not that i chose thee...

Bill shared this hymn with me, which is actually at the beginning of the Jesus Storybook Bible.  In light of William's confession of faith, it was a great reminder of God's sovereign, enabling grace, especially for our precious boy...

          "Lord, 'Tis Not that I Did Choose Thee"

                          by Josiah Conder, 1789-1855

                                  Text From:

                       THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

                (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942) p.32

                                       

        1. Lord, 'tis not that I did choose Thee;

        That, I know, could never be;

        For this heart would still refuse Thee

        Had Thy grace not chosen me.

        Thou hast from the sin that stained me

        Washed and cleansed and set me free

        And unto this end ordained me,

        That I ever live to Thee.

        2. 'Twas Thy grace in Christ that called me,

        Taught my darkened heart and mind;

        Else the world had yet enthralled me,

        To Thy heavenly glories blind.

        Now my heart owns none above Thee;

        For Thy grace alone I thirst,

        Knowing well that, if I love Thee,

        Thou, O Lord, didst love me first.

        3. Praise the God of all creation;

        Praise the Father's boundless love.

        Praise the Lamb, our Expiation,

        Priest and King enthroned above.

        Praise the Spirit of salvation,

        Him by whom our spirits live.

        Undivided adoration

        To the great Jehovah give.