We Will Never Lack Until He Is Poor

My soul once had its plenteous years,

And throve, with peace and comfort filled,

Like the fat kine and ripened ears,

Which Pharaoh in his dream beheld.

 

With pleasing frames and grace received,

With means and ordinances fed;

How happy for a while I lived,

And little feared the want of bread.

 

But famine came and left no sign,

Of all the plenty I had seen;

Like the dry ears and half–starved kine,

I then looked withered, faint and lean.

 

To Joseph the Egyptians went,

To Jesus I made known my case;

He, when my little stock was spent,

Opened his magazine of grace.

 

For he the time of dearth foresaw,

And made provision long before;

That famished souls, like me, might draw

Supplies from his unbounded store.

 

Now on his bounty I depend,

And live from fear of dearth secure,

Maintained by such a mighty friend,

I cannot want till he is poor.

 

O sinners hear his gracious call!

His mercy’s door stands open wide,

He has enough to feed you all,

And none who come shall be denied.

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I wonder when Newton’s “plenteous years” were.  I doubt this is pre-conversion.  More than likely these “plenteous years” are when he was first saved, but over time his affections start to wane and it becomes more difficult to trust in Christ. 

Once again Newton’s identity is found in Jesus.  Notice the wonderful statement in stanza 6, “I cannot want till he is poor”.  Obviously, Jesus is never poor so Newton will always have an “unbounded store” from which to draw refreshment for his “famished soul”. 

We also see here a glimpse of Newton’s trust in the sovereignty of God.  For Newton the omniscience of God is a wonderful thing.  To know that Christ knew our hour of need and provided grace before the foundation of the world is both humbling and exhilarating. 

Because of the richness of his provision and the graciousness of his call Newton extends the door of mercy to all that they may come and feast on the fullness of Christ.  May we remember today that nothing but Jesus satisfies, and Christ in turn, fully satisfies.