THE LORD HAS NEED OF IT!

J. H. Cuckney (with Christ 21 July 1990)

The Lord has need! What greater claim

Could be pronounced upon the tethered foal

Than His, whose great and glorious Name

Commands th’obedient faith of every soul?

 

The Lord has need! How can it be

That One so great as He should find a need

For such a lowly beast? Should He

Not be provided with a worthier steed?

 

The Lord has need! Not yet the day

Has come when all shall own the mighty King.

Not yet do all concede His sway

And to their Lord their rightful tribute bring.

 

The Lord has need! Content is He

The lowly One, upon an ass to ride,

Whilst praise is offered Him alone

From lips of babes, which others have denied.

 

The Lord has need! Who would dispute

His right to him who’s at the crossway tied;

Or question as the bonds are loosed

And he is taken to the Saviour’s side?

 

The Lord has need! What wondrous grace

That He has need of me! Could I refuse,

To answer such a call, nor yield

This tiny vessel for the Master’s use?

 

The Lord has need! In answer to

Such honoured call, what offering could suffice?

Oh, give me strength to yield to Thee

My body, Lord, a living sacrifice!

Malvern, 1985–86