Take time to behold Him

1
Take time to behold Him,
  Speak oft with Thy Lord,
Abide in Him always,
  And feed on His Word.
Wait thou in His presence,
  Submissive and meek,
Forgetting in nothing
  His blessing to seek.
2
Take time to behold Him,
  The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
  With Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus
  Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends, in thy conduct,
  His likeness shall see.
3
Take time to behold Him,
  Let Him be thy guide;
And run not before Him
  Whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow
  Still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus,
  Still trust in His Word.
4
Take time to behold Him,
  Be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each temper
  Beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit
  To fountains of love,
Thou then shalt be fitted
  His mercy to prove.
46
Lisa Chiang

Los Angeles, California, United States

Lord, cause us to take time to behold You. Grant us a hidden life of beholding You!


Steve Miller

Detroit, MI, United States

William Longstaff was a businessman, and the son of a wealthy English ship owner. He was his church's treasurer.

In June, 1873, D.L. Moody and Ira Sankey came to England to hold evangelistic meetings. They arrived broke, and were hoping their sponsors would have things ready for them, but instead the fellow they counted on had died, and nothing had been done to prepare for the evangelistic team’s arrival. Moody and Sankey scrounged around desperately to have a meeting and had a very meager group of about 50 that showed up. Soon afterwards, William Longstaff used his financial resources and influence to support them, and the small gatherings increased to 20,000 people in London, and was able to go on to Scotland.

He was also good friends with William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. - extracted from hymnary and gbod

Longstaff heard a sermon on the text, "Be ye holy for I am holy" and wrote down what holiness meant to him. A businessman at heart, Longstaff wrote no flowery or pious-sounding verses but these down-to-earth thoughts.

The hymn appeared in a Christian newspaper in 1882 and was promptly forgotten. But years later gospel composer George Stebbins, who was leading music in India in connection with evangelistic services there, remembered the poem when he was asked if there was a good hymn on living a holy life. Retrieving the newspaper clipping he had saved, he set the poem to music - Great Songs of Faith by Brown & Norton

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In the original, the 1st line of each stanza says,

Take time to be holy,

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the original stanza 1, lines 5-6 say:

Make friends of God's children,

help those who are weak,

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In the original stanza 4, line 3 says "motive" instead of "temper"

The last 2 lines originally say:

thou soon shalt be fitted

for service above.


Rhesa Maghanoy

Iligan City, Philippines

Thank You, Lord, for this refreshing word. Lord, make this our daily habit, even our living. May we be such persons who would always take time to behold You, persons who would spend time fellowshipping with You. I love You, Lord!


Samuel Eldwin

Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia

There is another version that said, take time to be holy. So which is the right one actually.


Silverio Donggay

Doha, Qatar

Lord to behold You is my earnest prayer, hope You grant me to see You in every circumstances. Amen, Lord JESUS...


Tim

Kindred, ND, United States

There is a full orchestral choir version of this that will knock your socks off!


Erica

Calhoun, Georgia, United States

An incredibly touching hymn. I think it almost more like a prayer sung, the utter language of the soul. It is lovely in every way, just like my sweet Lord! I thank Him for gifts as these!


Marlene Panitan

Collex, Geneva, Switzerland

I was touched by this song because this is the speaking of the Lord to me...that the only thing that I will do no matter what is to take time to behold Him. I thank and praise the Lord! He is so wonderful. Amen!! Hallelujah!I Really proved His grace and mercy. Amen!


Julius Flores

Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines

Wonderful song... I feel the presence of the Lord! I love listening this hymn over and over again...


Jenny Hufana

San Fernando, La Union, Philippines

Hallelujah. I feel watered when I come to His Word.