Meg Rayborn Dawson

I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow, there's been times I didn't know right from wrong. But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation, that my trials come to only make me strong. Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word. I've been to lots of places, I've seen a lot of faces, there's been times I felt so all alone. But in my lonely hours, yes, those precious lonely hours, Jesus lets me know that I was His own Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word. I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. For if I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know God could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Why are you striving these days Why are you trying to earn grace Why are you crying Let me lift up your face Just don't turn away Why are you looking for love Why are you still searching As if I'm not enough To where will you go child Tell me where will you run To where will you run 'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call And please don't fight these hands that are holding you My hands are holding you Look at these hands at my side They swallowed the grave on that night When I drank the world's sin So I could carry you in And give you life I want to give you life And I'll be by your side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call And please don't fight these hands that are holding you My hands are holding you Here at my side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call And please don't fight these hands that are holding you My hands are holding you 'Cause I, I love you I want you to know That I, yeah I'll love you I'll never let you go, no, no And I'll be by your side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call And please don't fight these hands that are holding you My hands are holding you Here at my side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call And please don't fight these hands that are holding you My hands are holding you Here at my side, my hands are holding you Ohhh...

I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses. Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known. He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing. I’d stay in the garden with Him, Though the night around me be falling, But He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.

Sometimes Assurance is my alternative to Fanny Crosby's "Blessed Assurance" I revised the lyrics to reflect a picture closer to the one I experience in my faith. It is not always "All the Day Long". Here are my revised lyrics: Sometimes Assurance, that Jesus is mine. O what a foretaste of Glory divine. Child of salvation, child of God Born of His Spirit. Washed in His blood. Let this be my story. Let this be my song. Stay with me Jesus. All my life long. Imperfect submission, imperfect delight. For memories of failure remain in my sight. Yet angels descending, bring from above, Echoes of mercy. Whispers of love Imperfect submission. Imperfect rest. Yet when in my Savior, I'm joyful and blessed When He is abiding, when looking above. I'm filled with the peace, which He bought with His blood.

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord. No tender voice like thine, Can peace afford. Chorus: I need Thee, O I need Thee Every hour I need Thee O bless me now my Savior I come to Thee I need Thee every hour, Stay thou nearby. Temptations lose their pow'are When thou are nigh. I need Thee every hour, In joy or pain. Come quickly and abide, Or life is vain. I need Thee every hour, Most holy One. Oh, make me thine indeed, Thou blessed Son!

Spirit Of The Living God, Fall Afresh On Me. Spirit Of The Living God, Fall Afresh On Me. Melt Me, Mold Me, Fill Me, Use Me, Spirit Of The Living God, Fall Afresh On Me.

Kind and merciful God, we have sinned in Your sight, We have all wandered far from Your way; We have followed desire, we have failed to aspire To the virtue we ought to display. Kind and merciful God, we've neglected Your Word And the truth that would guide us aright; We have lived in the shade of the dark we have made, When you willed us to walk in the light. Kind and merciful God, we have broken Your laws And in conduct have veered from the norm; We have dreamed of the good, but the good that we could We have frequently failed to perform. Kind and merciful God in Christ's death on the cross You provided a cleansing from sin; Speak the words that forgive that hence-forth we may live By the might of your Spirit within. Kind and merciful God, bid us lift up our heads And command us to rise from our knees May our hearts now be changed and no longer estranged Through the power of Your pardon and peace

Just as I am, without one plea Aut that thy blood was shed for me And that thou bidst me come to thee O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, though tossed about With many a-conflict, many a-doubt Fightings and fears within, without O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind Sight, riches, healing of the mind Yea, all I need in thee to find O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, thou wilt receive Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve Because thy promise I believe O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down Now, to be thine, yea thine alone O Lamb of God, I come, I come

[Verse 1] I've been held by the Savior I've felt fire from above I've been down to the river I ain't the same, a prodigal returned [Chorus] All my hope is in Jesus Thank God that yesterday's gone All my sins are forgiven I've been washed by the blood [Verse 2] I'm no stranger to prison I've worn shackles and chains But I've been freed and forgiven And I'm not going back I'll never be the same That's why I sing… [Chorus] All my hope is in Jesus Thank God that yesterday's gone All my sins are forgiven I've been washed by the blood

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul It is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come Let this blest assurance control That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate And hath shed His own blood for my soul My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

"Every day they pass me by I can see it in their eyes Empty people filled with care Headed who knows where? On they go through private pain Living fear to fear Laughter hides their silent cries Only Jesus hears People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of broken dreams He's the open door People need the Lord People need the Lord When will we realize People need the Lord? We are called to take His light To a world where wrong seems right What could be too great a cost For sharing life with one who's lost? Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear They must hear the words of life Only we can share"

My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea, So burdened with sin and distressed, Till I heard a sweet voice, saying, “Make Me your choice”; And I entered the “Haven of Rest”! Refrain: I’ve anchored my soul in the “Haven of Rest,” I’ll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I’m safe evermore. I yielded myself to His tender embrace, In faith taking hold of the Word, My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul; The “Haven of Rest” is my Lord. The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole, Has been the old story so blest, Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have A home in the “Haven of Rest.” How precious the thought that we all may recline, Like John, the beloved so blest, On Jesus’ strong arm, where no tempest can harm, Secure in the “Haven of Rest.” Oh, come to the Savior, He patiently waits To save by His power divine; Come, anchor your soul in the “Haven of Rest,” And say, “My Beloved is mine.”

There is a Name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; It sounds like music in my ear, The sweetest Name on earth. Refrain: Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me! It tells me of a Savior’s love, Who died to set me free; It tells me of His precious blood, The sinner’s perfect plea. It tells me of a Father’s smile Beaming upon His child; It cheers me through this little while, Through desert, waste, and wild. It tells me what my Father hath In store for every day, And though I tread a darksome path, Yields sunshine all the way. It tells of One whose loving heart Can feel my deepest woe; Who in each sorrow bears a part That none can bear below. It bids my trembling heart rejoice; It dries each rising tear; It tells me, in a “still small voice,” To trust and never fear. Jesus, the Name I love so well, The Name I love to hear: No saint on earth its worth can tell, No heart conceive how dear. This Name shall shed its fragrance still Along this thorny road, Shall sweetly smooth the rugged hill That leads me up to God. And there with all the blood-bought throng, From sin and sorrow free, I’ll sing the new eternal song Of Jesus’ love for me.

And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Refrain: Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. He left His Father’s throne above— So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’ eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide When other helpers fail and comforts flee Help of the helpless, O abide with me Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away Change and decay in all around I see O Thou who changest not, abide with me Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord Familiar, condescending, patient, free Come not to sojourn, but abide with me Thou on my head in early youth didst smile And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee On to the close, O Lord, abide with me I need Thy presence every passing hour What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me"

"Draw me close to You Never let me go I lay it all down again To hear You say that I'm Your friend You are my desire And no one else will do 'Cause no one else can take Your place To feel the warmth of Your embrace Help me find a way Bring me back to You Bring me back, oh Jesus Draw me close to You Never let me go I lay it all down again To hear You say that I'm Your friend"

"My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!"

"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father There is no shadow of turning with thee Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not As thou hast been thou forever wilt be"

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!"

"It is no secret what God can do. What He does for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you. It is no secret what God will do."

"I will serve You because I love you. You have given life to me. I was nothing before you found me. You have given life to me."

"I am Thine O Lord and I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me. But I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to Thee."

"The Splendor of the King, clothed in majesty, Let all the world rejoice! Let all the world rejoice!

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Master, today! Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now, As in Thy presence humbly I bow. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, Listening every moment to the Spirit's call Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.