It should be the desire of each believer to know and follow God's will in our lives. Ephesians 1:12 gives the fundamental idea: "that we should be to the praise of His glory." To that end, it's God's will that we "be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). Whatever choices and decisions we make, whatever we do and say, our goal should be to honour the Lord, and become more and more like Christ. Now some of the details of His will may differ from person to person, according to the gifts and opportunities the Lord gives to each one. And for some His will may even include going through, with God's help and presence, some very difficult situations. The author of this hymn, Lelia Naylor Morris (1862-1929), experienced such difficult times. After years of active ministry in churches and camp meetings, she became blind at the age of 52. But she continued to write hymns on a 28-foot long blackboard that her family built for her. She is said to have written 1000 texts and tunes including "Sweeter as the Years Go By" and "Sweet Will of God." These have helped and encouraged many over the years, and that was part of God's will for her life. She learned the joy of following God's will by claiming the grace, provision and peace that He alone gives. It's the desire of the Lord that we do His will, that His will and purpose be accomplished through us. Missionary and author Elisabeth Elliott said, "I have only one thing to do today: the will of God." Is that our desire and experience as well? The last line of this hymn sums it up so beautifully. "The centre of God's will my home." And what a "sweet" experience that really is.
1 My stubborn will at last hath yielded;
I would be Thine, and Thine alone,
And this the prayer my lips are bringing,
"Lord, let in me Thy will be done."
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee;
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.
2 I'm tired of sin, footsore and weary,
The darksome path hath dreary grown,
But now a light has ris'n to cheer me;
I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee;
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.
3 Thy precious will, O conqu'ring Savior,
Doth now embrace and compass me;
All discords hushed, my peace a river,
My soul a prisoned bird set free.
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee;
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.
4 Shut in with Thee, O Lord, forever,
My wayward feet no more to roam;
What pow'r from Thee my soul can sever?
The center of God's will my home.
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee;
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,
Till I am wholly lost in Thee.
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