LORD, Deliver Me From Evil, Always

Night after night my feet 
are begrimed and soiled!
(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

"A person who has had a bath needs 
only to wash his feet" John 13:10 

Every disciple of CHRIST walks through 
the hot and dusty ways of this world. I 
spend my Christian life in hostile surroundings. 
When saved, I do not go at once to be with 
my LORD in heavenly glory. 

HE leaves me here on earth for my 
own discipline, and for the benefit 
of others around me. So I wrestle 
on against storm and wind and tide!

Every disciple contracts defilement 
in his walk through the world. I am 
readily beguiled. My firmest purposes 
are shaken. Along the road, there are 
innumerable obstacles and relentless 
enemies. Night after night my feet 
are begrimed and soiled! 
Am I to despair then?

No, for CHRIST will cleanse HIS 
disciples. I have been bathed 
in the morning of my new life--
I have passed through 
the great spiritual change--
I have been fully forgiven. 

But I need still to have my feet washed. 
When I come in at night from the fierce sun, 
and the dusty highway, and the jostling 
crowd, with mind chafed and disturbed--
HE waits to lead me into HIS secret 
place and to refresh and heal me.

Ah, I scarcely can tell which I should admire most: 
  JESUS' passion for me--
    or HIS patience with me; 
  HIS suffering for me--
    or HIS longsuffering with me!