My Faith Looks Up to Thee
A Sermon based on
the hymn by Ray Palmer
Introduction
“My Faith Looks Up to
Thee” is a deeply personal hymn of trust, surrender, and perseverance.
Written in 1830 by Ray Palmer after a season of spiritual weakness and
recovery, the hymn became a lasting prayer of dependence upon the Lord.
The words express what every Christian feels in moments of fear,
weariness, or guilt: “Be Thou my guide.” Rather than relying on personal
strength, the soul lifts its eyes in humility and hope to Christ alone.
Like Psalm 121:1–2 says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from
whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord.”
Each stanza of this
hymn is a prayer. It begins with faith looking upward, continues through
trials, appeals for forgiveness, and ends with the Christian’s final
breath committed into Jesus’ care. This progression mirrors the
Christian life from faith’s beginning to life’s final hour. Hebrews 12:2
reminds us that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith.” Just as
we began with Him, we must continue in Him and finish with Him. Let us
walk through each stanza of this hymn and reflect on how faith sustains
us by looking always to Jesus.
Stanza 1
“My faith looks up
to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine;
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day
Be wholly Thine.”
This stanza is a
humble petition for forgiveness and full consecration. The “Lamb of
Calvary” calls our minds to John 1:29—“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes
away the sin of the world.” Faith does not look inward for strength; it
looks upward to the cross. This stanza captures the first steps of
repentance, as the soul pleads for cleansing and commits to live wholly
for Christ from this day forward. Romans 12:1 exhorts us to offer
ourselves as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”
Stanza 2
“May Thy rich grace
impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be—
A living fire.”
This verse asks for
strength in weakness. God’s grace is the source of spiritual energy when
the heart is faint. Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives power to the faint; and
to them that have no might he increases strength.” The hymn reminds us
that zeal must be fed by gratitude—“As Thou hast died for me.” When we
reflect on the cross, our love for Jesus should burn brightly, like “a
living fire.” This prayer echoes the command in Romans 12:11 to be
“fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
Stanza 3
“While life’s dark
maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.”
Life often feels
like a confusing maze. The Christian journey is not free of griefs or
sorrow, but we are not alone. Jesus promised in John 14:18, “I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” This stanza echoes Psalm
23:4—“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” The plea is for guidance,
light, and perseverance. We ask not for the removal of sorrow, but for
God's presence through it. His word is our guide (Psalm 119:105), and
His Spirit is our comforter.
Stanza 4
“When ends life’s
transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.”
The final stanza
looks to the end of life. Faith, which once looked up at the beginning,
now looks up again at life’s end. The “transient dream” of life fades,
and we prepare to cross death’s cold stream. But the Christian has no
need to fear. Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is
the death of His saints.” With love and assurance, the soul is carried
home by the Savior. Revelation 14:13 reminds us, “Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord… they may rest from their labors, and their works do
follow them.”
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
Sermon Outline:
Introduction
-
Author: Ray
Palmer
-
Theme: Faith,
forgiveness, perseverance, heavenly hope
-
Key Scriptures:
Psalm 121:1–2, Hebrews 12:2
Stanza 1 – A
Prayer for Cleansing and Consecration
-
John 1:29 –
Behold the Lamb of God
-
Romans 12:1 –
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice
-
Psalm 51:10 –
Create in me a clean heart
Stanza 2 –
Strength and Zeal Through Grace
-
Isaiah 40:29 –
He gives power to the faint
-
Romans 12:11 –
Fervent in spirit
-
2 Corinthians
5:14 – The love of Christ compels us
Stanza 3 –
Guidance Through Life’s Trials
-
Psalm 23:4 – I
will fear no evil
-
Psalm 119:105 –
Thy word is a lamp
-
John 14:18 – I
will not leave you comfortless
Stanza 4 –
Peace at Life’s End
-
Psalm 116:15 –
Precious in the sight of the Lord
-
Revelation 14:13
– Blessed are the dead in the Lord
-
2 Timothy 4:7–8
– I have finished the course
Call to Action
Has your faith
looked up to Jesus? Whether you are seeking forgiveness, strength,
guidance, or peace, the answer is always found in Christ. Turn to Him
with your whole heart. Believe in Him (John 8:24), repent of sin (Acts
2:38), confess His name (Romans 10:9–10), and be baptized for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16). Then walk with Him daily, and let your
faith look upward—until it becomes sight in eternity.
Scripture Reference List
Psalm 121:1–2 – Help
comes from the Lord
Hebrews 12:2 – Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith
John 1:29 – The Lamb of God
Romans 12:1 – A living sacrifice
Psalm 51:10 – A clean heart
Isaiah 40:29 – Strength to the faint
Romans 12:11 – Fervent in spirit
2 Corinthians 5:14 – Love compels us
Psalm 23:4 – I will fear no evil
Psalm 119:105 – God’s word is our lamp
John 14:18 – Christ will not leave us
Psalm 116:15 – Precious is the death of His saints
Revelation 14:13 – Blessed are the dead in the Lord
2 Timothy 4:7–8 – I have kept the faith
John 8:24 – Believe in Christ
Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized
Romans 10:9–10 – Confess with the mouth
Acts 22:16 – Arise and be baptized
Song History
“My Faith Looks Up
to Thee” was written by Ray Palmer in 1830 during a season of reflection
and spiritual renewal. It was first set to music by Lowell Mason in 1832
and quickly became one of the most enduring devotional hymns in English
hymnody. The hymn’s rich language, scriptural allusions, and humble tone
make it a favorite among congregations of the churches of Christ,
especially during times of invitation and meditation.
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
 |
The
church of Christ
