In Tenderness He Sought Me

Last Wednesday we were driving to the chapel for prayer meeting when Chloe asked me an interesting question. She's learning to spell--and so occasionally she spells out the words that she knows when she's talking. The short conversation went something like this:

Chloe: "D-A-D, how do you spell 'Oh'"?

Intelligent-And-Expert-Speller-D-A-D: "Well, Chloe--usually the word is spelled O-H, but sometimes in the hymnbook--or in the Bible, you might find it just spelled 'O'.

It was quiet after that. I'm not sure if she was pondering the brevity of the word or trying to figure out how to use it in a sentence herself, but apparently her question was answered at least for the time being.

I'm not really sure what that has to do with this post--other than the word "Oh" is used repeatedly in the refrain. [Does anyone know the difference (technical or otherwise) between a refrain and a chorus? Anyway...when I woke up this morning--this old hymn was on my mind. I especially appreciate the lyrics: He whispered to assure me, “I’ve found thee, thou art Mine”!

In tenderness He sought me,

Weary and sick with sin;

And on His shoulders brought me

Back to His fold again.

While angels in His presence sang

Until the courts of Heaven rang.

REFRAIN

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold.

He washed the bleeding sin wounds,

And poured in oil and wine;

He whispered to assure me,

“I’ve found thee, thou art Mine”;

I never heard a sweeter voice;

It made my aching heart rejoice!

He pointed to the nail prints,

For me His blood was shed,

A mocking crown so thorny

Was placed upon His head;

I wondered what He saw in me,

To suffer such deep agony.

I’m sitting in His presence,

The sunshine of His face,

While with adoring wonder

His blessings I retrace.

It seems as if eternal days

Are far too short to sound His praise.

So while the hours are passing,

All now is perfect rest,

I’m waiting for the morning,

The brightest and the best,

When He will call us to His side,

To be with Him, His spotless bride.

~In Tenderness He Sought Me