It Does Not Cast Too Hard A Strife

1 It does not cost too hard a strife
To be a Christian, pure and heaven-minded.
Though we shall find, when giving God our life,
Our nature is in sin and error blinded,
The Lord will still to every yearning heart
His grace impart.

2 In Jesus' arm thy soul shall rest
Just as a child in mother's arm reposes;
He to each soul that comes to Him distressed
Most tenderly His saving love discloses.
Should it be hard when by His grace restored,
To love the Lord?

3 The Lord proposes thee no ill,
Thy disobedience causes all thine anguish.
Commit to God thy sinful heart and will,
And thou no more in sin and grief shalt languish.
Give Him thy will, and all thy grief and fear
Shall disappear.

4 Then shall thy light appear anew
Like morning from the deep of night ascending,
What thou didst hope shall stand before thee true;
They are not shamed who are on God depending,
A Christian does in constant joy abide
Whate'er betide.

5 Arise, my soul, in faith and love
And to the Lord with hope and trust surrender,
Then shalt thou taste the joy which reigns above
And Jesus will be hence thy strong defender.
With all thy need unto thy Savior flee,
He saveth thee.


Source: Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #226