Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling
And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NASB
The hymn “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling” has been cherished by many through the years as they’ve walked through tough times, seeking the peace and assurance that only God can give. We’ve all had our own difficult seasons—facing doubt or uncertainty, exhaustion, confusion, fear, and maybe even the grief of saying goodbye to a loved one as they left this world and entered their heavenly home. The hymn comforts us with Jesus’s wonderful, open invitation to all of us:
Come home, come home;
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
When we enter our later years of life, this message can bring special comfort as we’re reminded that this world is not our final destination—but the loving embrace of our Savior is. It’s not just a message about the “sweet by and by,” though. This hymn’s words are relevant to any of us on the journey with Jesus at any time. He’s calling us home to Himself right now, every day, in this life. And where is that home? A church building, a temple, or some other holy place set aside for worship and prayer? We know the answer. That dwelling is within us, where He now lives by His Spirit. This means that as lost as we feel sometimes, as discouraged with what’s happening in the world around us, as fearful as we can be about the changes life may bring . . . we have a quiet place to return to, a shelter from the storm, a sense of peace that is just a breath away. We have a loving, caring Presence that resides within us, and all we have to do is become aware of Him again.
Have you noticed how many forces are out there working hard to pull us out of that peace and away from our heart? Temptations, distractions, media commentators telling us what we should be doing or thinking about. There’s a lot out there vying for our attention, and much of it leaves us feeling separated from our true God-created selves. But we know exactly who we are and whose we are; we just forget sometimes. We belong to Christ, and that is the beginning and the end of everything for us. “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 NIV). There is no other. No matter what else changes in our lives, no matter what choices or mistakes we make, how off course we find ourselves or how far away we wander, who He is for us will never change. Are you tired? Frustrated? Lonely? Fearful about what is ahead? “Come home,” He says. We are perfectly welcome just as we are, and we are only one moment away from that awareness of His presence. Sit in a quiet place when you can. Allow your mind to be still and your thoughts to rest on Him. Come back to yourself. In doing so, you will come home to the One who calls you from within even now.
Lord Jesus, I want to say yes to Your invitation every day. Thank You for being with me in every way— and for the peace that fills my heart when I remember that You’ll never leave me. May I become increasingly more conscious of Your presence and less fearful about whatever I face in life. Wherever I go, I know that I will always find my true home in You. Amen.
This is an excerpt from Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine: Old-Time Devotions for Fresh Starts – a devotional available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
