Lord Jesus, Think on Me

Inspiration MinistriesBy Inspiration Ministries2 Minutes

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12 NASB

Around the year AD 375, a man named Synesius was born in the thriving northern African city of Cyrene. Called the “last great citizen” of this city, he had great wealth and traced his ancestry to the kings of Sparta (in ancient Greece). After becoming a Christian, he rose to the position of bishop, although some people rejected some of his opinions. Yet even his opponents recognized his outstanding character.

Sometime in the early fifth century, he wrote a hymn called “Lord Jesus, Think on Me.” We know this hymn today in the translation provided by Allen Chatfield (who was born in England on this day in 1808). In Chatfield’s translation, we read how Synesius sought to live a pure life, freed from influence of sin. He wrote, “Lord Jesus, think on me and purge away my sin; from earthborn passions set me free and make me pure within.”

He prayed that Jesus would help him be His “loving servant” and “taste Thy promised rest.” He knew that he was involved in a spiritual conflict and was “amid the battle’s strife.” But He wanted Jesus to be his “health and life.” He prayed that Jesus would keep him from going astray and that “through darkness and perplexity point Thou the heavenly way.”
Synesius looked forward to the day when he would see Jesus’ “eternal brightness” and “share Thy joy at last,” when He could “sing above to Father, Spirit, and to Thee the strains of praise and love.”

In your life, seek to turn your heart toward Jesus. Seek His purity, and to be purged from the lusts of the flesh and the world. And dedicate your life to serving Him.

 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to please You with my life, and point people toward You. Purge me of sin and impurities. Guide me. Lead me. I dedicate all I have to You. In Your name. Amen.