A Prayer to Remain Faithful to the End

O Jesus, I Have Promised:

John Ernest Bode

It has long been the conviction of Christians that once we have truly come to Christ in repentance and faith, we can never fall away from that faith. Those who have been justified can never be unjustified; those who have been indwelled by the Spirit will never be abandoned by Him. Yet Christians have also agreed that it is possible for us to deceive ourselves and to deceive other people into thinking we have trusted in Christ when we have not. Hence we are told to be diligent in confirming our “calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10).

Knowing that we can be self-deceived, we must examine our lives to ensure we are living as Christians are called to live

— that we are putting sin to death, coming alive to righteousness, and finding ever-greater joy in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And always we must pray that God would graciously preserve us by His Spirit so we can live in a way that is pleasing to Him, then finish our race well and go to be with Him forever.

Observe

The poet begins by affirming that he has promised to serve Jesus to the end of his life. But he knows this will not be easy, for in the second stanza he provides a long list of the enemies and temptations that will challenge him for mastery of his life. This is why, in the third stanza, he pleads with God to give him what he needs to overcome those challenges. By the end he turns his heart away from what he has promised and toward what Jesus has promised — the ultimate affirmation that He will, indeed, remain faithful.

Pray

O Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me,

My Master and my Friend;

I shall not fear the battle

If Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

If Thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel Thee near me,

The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,

And shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear Thee speaking

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will;

O speak to reassure me,

To hasten or control!

O speak, and make me listen,

Thou Guardian of my soul!

O Jesus, Thou hast promised

To all who follow Thee

That where Thou art in glory

There shall Thy servant be;

And, Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow,

My Master and my Friend!

~ John Ernest Bode, “O Jesus, I Have Promised”

Reflect

John 12:26; 2 Peter 1:5–11.

Apply

Do you ever struggle with doubts about your salvation? Where do you turn for comfort when this happens? Instead of taking it for granted, it is good to take time today to pray to the Lord that, by His grace, you will persevere to the end. In addition to the encouragement of Scripture, it can be helpful to hear from others who might note evidence of grace in your life. Are there people who can speak into your life to tell you whether you are showing the marks of the Christian? If so, consider inviting their feedback today. 

Excerpted with permission from Pilgrim Prayers: Devotional Poems That Awaken Your Heart to the Goodness, Greatness, and Glory of God by Tim Challies, copyright Tim Challies. 

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Your Turn

Have you repented and put your faith in Jesus? It will show in how you live. If you wonder if your life shows demonstrable fruit, if you are worried that you’ve said the right words but not made following Him your passion, ask people who know you and love you enough to tell you! Then, come to Him and take Him as your Savior! ~ Devotionals Daily