that when you ask me to take my cross and bear it, I would do so gladly, enamored by the worthiness of Christ, putting aside my selfish desires and ungrateful thoughts, and locking me eyes not on my feelings but on the author and perfecter of my faith, oh then, would I remember how much you are for me.

Oh that I would know how much you are for me.

Would I not be forgetful of how you fought on King David’s behalf, when enemies assailed him, you came down with hot coals, with arrows and hail, and crushed his enemies into dust and raised him up above all his peoples.  Or when you brought out Gog against your own people, in their nakedness they stood without a shield, but you acted as their shield and their sword and utterly destroyed Gog, just to show them that you yourself were their defense. Oh, that I would remember how much you are for your people.

Oh that I would know how much you are for me,  

that i would be mindful of your ways, that when you ask for obedience, when you call me into danger and hardship, to the steep rocky road that seems to lead into a dark and cloudy unknown, Oh then, then would I remember how much you are for me. When you bid me come and lay it all down, would I remember then your goodness, and that what I unload is infinitely less that all you will give me to take up, that with you it is always a better exchange, a better price than I could have the courage or audacity to ask for. Oh, that I would remember how much you are for your people.

Oh , that when you ask me in my last days, to hand over my last breath, oh then, may I fully know and remember how much you are for me and delight in all that you have done and are yet to do, giving gladly back what you have so generously given.