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mazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions


June 19


NOW I BELONG TO JESUS
Words and Music by Norman J. Clayton, 1903–
  If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:8)
  God is FOR us—that is good.
  God is WITH us—that is better.
  God is IN us—that is best!
—Unknown
We hear much these days about the problem of homeless people—people of the street with no place to go and no one who cares. Can we really appreciate the terrible state of despair and loneliness experienced by these masses? Man was created by God to enjoy His fellowship and the fellowship of family and friends. All of us have a need to belong to someone and something.
The greatest “belonging” in life is described by the Heidelberg Catechism, which begins its instruction in this way:
Question—“What is your only comfort in life and death?”
Answer—“That I, with body and soul, am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ …”
This popular gospel song by Norman Clayton speaks so well about this truth of the mystical union that exists between Christ and the believer—Christ in the believer and the believer in Christ. Who can fathom the mystery of a mortal believer’s spirit being united with the divine Christ—a glorious relationship that begins for the believer at the moment of genuine response to the call of Christ and one that will last for eternity?
Norman Clayton has authored and composed numerous other fine gospel hymns, but “Now I Belong to Jesus” is still his most widely used song. This inspiring gospel song first appeared in Word of Life Melodies No. 1 in 1943. Mr. Clayton writes that one of his greatest thrills in life was hearing a 10-year-old deaf girl sing his song at a camp for handicapped children.
  Jesus my Lord will love me forever, from Him no pow’r of evil can sever; He gave His life to ransom my soul—Now I belong to Him!
  Once I was lost in sin’s degradation; Jesus came down to bring me salvation, lifted me up from sorrow and shame—Now I belong to Him!
  Joy floods my soul, for Jesus has saved me, freed me from sin that long had enslaved me; His precious blood He gave to redeem—Now I belong to Him!
  Chorus: Now I belong to Jesus; Jesus belongs to me—Not for the years of time alone, but for eternity.

        For Today: Song of Solomon 2:16; John 10:28; Colossians 1:27
Rise above the circumstances of this day and rejoice in the glorious truth that you and Christ are united for eternity. Carry this musical testimony with you—


Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990). 186.

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