imagesHere is a rare old hymn by the great German hymn writer, Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676). There is no title on the little printed sheet that I found in some old papers; so I gave it a title. This hymn speaks well of the shared inheritance we have with Christ (Romans 8:17). I like the last lines in particular where Gerhardt writes of the mutual joy Jesus and his saints will share in glory—My joy to be forever with him and His joy that I am there!

 

Long the blessed Guide has led me
By the desert road;
Now I see the golden towers —
City of my God.
There, amidst the love and glory,
He is waiting yet;
On His hands a name is graven
He can ne’er forget.
 
He it is, who comes to meet me,
On the desert way;
As the Morning Star foretelling
God’s unclouded day.
He it is who came to win me,
On the cross of shame;
In His glory well I know Him.
Evermore the same.
 
Oh! the blessed joy of meeting,
All the desert past!
Oh! the wondrous words of greeting,
He shall speak at last!
He and I together entering
Those bright courts above;
He and I together sharing
All the Father’s love.
 
Where no shade nor stain can enter,
Nor the gold be dim;
In that holiness unsullied
I shall walk with Him.
Meet companion, then, for Jesus:
From Him, for Him, made:
Glory of God’s grace for ever,
There in me displayed.
 
He, who in the hour of sorrow,
Bore the curse alone;
I who through the lonely desert,
Trod where He had gone.
He and I in that bright glory,
One deep joy shall share.
Mine, to be forever with Him.
His, that I am there.
 
—Paul Gerhardt