Ireland’s Jean Pigott wrote the words to this beautiful hymn in 1876. The tune was composed by James Mountain, a Baptist pastor and the editor of Keswick’s “Hymns of Consecration and Faith.” Poet of a few other hymns, Jean Pigott passed away at the early age of 37, and she had no idea that her writing would be a significant blessing to Christians many years later.
Jean Pigott’s brother, Thomas, felt called to the mission field and joined China Inland Mission in 1879, three years before Jean’s death. J. Hudson Taylor had founded the Mission, which had about one thousand missionaries serving in that country. During the time of the Boxer rebellion, Taylor received news of almost 200 missionaries being taken hostage and murdered by terrorists. While working quietly at his desk, Taylor was known to whistle or softly sing “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting” as reports of missionaries being assassinated came to him daily. He had learned the song from Thomas and claimed it as his life song. Thomas was arrested in 1900, and he, his wife, his son, and several other missionaries were beheaded in a public execution. These faithful servants rested on the Lord amid unspeakable, terrible times, and trusting Him completely in all things was a reality for them.
For more than a century, this precious hymn’s sweet sound has touched countless Christian’s hearts. The music is comforting to the soul, and the words convey many blessings that can be experienced by resting in the joy of the Saviour. Among them are His love, beauty, and goodness, as well as promises that bring peace and hope in times of trouble. The end of the last stanza should be the believer’s daily prayer: “Keep me ever trusting, resting, Fill me with thy grace.”
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)
In the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
And thy beauty fills my soul,
For, by thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.
Jesus! I am resting, resting
In the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of thy loving heart.
Vaster, broader than the sea!
Oh, how marvelous thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is thine,
Know thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.
I behold thee as thou art,
And thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!
As I work and wait for thee;
Resting ’neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with thy grace.
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1 comment
One of my all time favorites. It is just beautiful and true!