Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” All of us — whether we are getting to know Jesus for the first time or have greeted him 30,000 mornings — can welcome his rest. This song sets Jesus’s kind invitation to an almost lullaby-sounding melody. Please give it a sing-along listen and enjoy its calm peace, then come back for a few thoughts on being in the presence of our wonderful Lord and Savior.

There is none other

There is none other like the Lord God Almighty, creator of the heavens and Earth and all that live therein. To Him belong “the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever”.

There is none other like God’s Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to make the Father known, and who lived, and died, and was raised again, gloriously ascended to occupy his throne at the right hand of the Father, actively presiding as head of the church, ever growing the kingdom’s presence and power on Earth, and who will one day return from above in righteousness to gather his people in victory.

No power or device of any man, beast, or opposing spirit will prevail against such power and might — and promise.

It is stunning that God and His Son employ their overwhelming strength to show us
such remarkable love,
such remarkable mercy,
such remarkable grace,
such remarkable peace,
and offer such a remarkable invitation.

The goodness of God leads us to repentance … and more

Given the Lord’s power, might and authority, how can we not stand in humble awe at the kindness and entreating gentleness of these invitations:

“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
(Romans 12)

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”
(2 Corinthians 6)

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called”
(Ephesians 4)

MercyMe’s wonderful song asked, “Will I be able to speak at all?” When we see Him face to face, when we stand in His presence, surrounded by His glory, will we freeze? Does just thinking of that future meeting make us freeze now? I can easily imagine! Oh, Lord. Oh, Lord!!

Here is another question:
Does the Lord WANT us to freeze and remain frozen? Either then or now?

I would never suggest we ever take the Lord for granted or get sloppy in His presence. But, in light of these verses, let our respect for the Lord include not only a recognition of his unmatched POWER, but also of his unmatched LOVE — and of His call to step up and serve without fear and with joy. Has there ever been a greater time for His people to arise and “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you were called” ?!? What days we live in!

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling

God is all powerful, but STILL has built us to be able to say YES or NO to everlasting life. He does not COMMAND, but rather BESEECHES us to choose life, not because HE is somehow lacking, but because HE so LOVES and HE doesn’t want US to miss out on the life and blessings HE offers. When we get clear on what the Lord wants for us, our hearts become glad, our joy becomes full, our life’s vision becomes focused and our determination grows to please the Lord in all we think and do.

His goodness leads us …

Much needs to be done.
Much can be done.
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling — it is our joy and privilege — and it is our time — to answer the call.

God bless you lots,
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS: Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
Song by Will L. Thompson (1880)

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
Ye who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

O for the wonderful love he has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Let’s stay in touch

Each time I post a new song and lesson here I send a brief, cheerful note to friends of this song site. The note gives a quick description of the song and lesson along with a link to the new song’s page. It is super-easy for you to get a note from me, too. Just click the green “Song of the Week” button below and you are almost there.

To sweeten the deal, you will also get instant access to the “Music Box” where I put all the free resources and downloads that go along with these song pages. Check it out now! Good stuff. (Side note — I still post announcements on social media, too, even though I have learned it is terribly unreliable at getting the message out and keeping us connected. Email gets that job done where social media fails. We do well to connect this way, and avoid getting throttled by social media.)

Song of the Week

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First posted April 2, 2020. Reposted October 25, 2024 with new song video and updated notes.