Helen Lemmel, Mabel Hamilton’s advocate (see Hymn Writer Helps Provide Passage to Africa), was already a well-known Christian singer when a friend handed her a tract. The words she read struck a chord: “So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness.”
It was as if she was commanded to stop and listen, Mrs. Lemmel later wrote. A chorus began to weave through her spirit and soul, without a conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The song became the well-known hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion–
For more than conquerors we are!
His Word shall not fail you–He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Do those words strike a chord with you? Are your weary and troubled, with no light shining in the darkness? Perhaps now is the moment to turn your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, the giver of light and life. He endured death on the cross so that we might have a life more abundant and free.
By turning your eyes upon Jesus, you confess your sins and ask God to take control of your life. It’s a simple process and begins with words like this:
God, I want to look full in Your face. I’m sinful and separated from You. I know salvation comes through your son, Jesus Christ. I accept Him today and commit to following Him forever.
If you have prayed this prayer, or would like to know more, please contact the church from which you received this paper or send us a note at FGBC World.