Christian! Seek Not Yet Repose

Christian! Seek Not Yet Repose was written by Charlotte Elliott in 1836. Ms. Elliott was an invalid from approximately 1829 to her death in 1871. She wrote approximately 150 hymns. The hymn is sung to the tune Vigilate, composed by William H. Monk in 1868. The hymn could also easily be named Watch and Pray, based on Matthew 26:41.

I love this hymn because it challenges me. So often I fail to pray consistently because I am "too busy" or because I "don't feel worthy" to come before God. Adam Ford addresses the first objection quite well in his webcomic. The second objection is both true and false at the same time. I am not worthy to entreat the God of the universe. But I have been made worthy because the Father sees the worth of the Son, not my own worth.

The first three verses remind us that we are in the midst of a battle for our souls and the souls of those around us. We are opposed by the demons that serve Satan, and Satan himself "ambushed lies," meaning that he is lying in wait to ambush the unsuspecting.  These verses therefore remind us to gird on the heavenly armor of God, which will protect us and prepare us to do battle against our foes. The fourth verse calls us to look to those who have gone before and won the victory. The saints of past years provide an example which we can follow. The fifth verse reminds us that the ultimate source of all strength and power is God Himself. If we are not listening to His Word, we will fail when it comes time to do His Word. The final verse of the hymn issues a challenge to each and every believer. "Watch, as if on that alone hung the issue of the day." Do you pray that way? Do you pray as if everything depended on you bending the knee before the Creator and communing with Him? I know that I rarely do.

But that last verse is also critical because of what we are to pray for: "that help may be sent down." It is not by our own strength that we resist the temptations of the evil one, but by the power of God poured in and through us. But we have to be connected by prayer and a right relationship with Him in order for that power to come down. Seek not yet repose! Eternal rest is ours, but not yet. We are in the midst of foes, so we watch and we pray and we look forward to the day that Christ comes in glory and brings all of us rest.

Christian! Seek not yet repose,

Hear thy guardian angel say;

Thou art in the midst of foes;

"Watch and pray."

Principalities and powers,

Mustering their unseen array,

Wait for thy unguarded hours;

"Watch and pray."

Gird thy heavenly armor on,

Wear it ever night and day;

Ambushed lies the evil one;

"Watch and pray."

Hear the victors who o'ercame;

Still they mark each warrior's way;

All with one clear voice exclaim,

"Watch and pray."

Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,

Him thou lovest to obey;

Hide within thy heart His Word,

"Watch and pray."

Watch, as if on that alone

Hung the issue of the day;

Pray that help may be sent down;

"Watch and pray."

(Public Domain)