May the Song I Sing – O Jesus I Have Promised become my life.

O Jesus, I Have Promised

Pastor Calvin Cook

October 6, 2026

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  Matthew 16:24

Recently the Hymn – “O Jesus I have Promised” came rushing into my mind. At some very interesting points the hymn’s lines became a sermon or devotion spoken at the most needed times.

As we are focusing on the Holiness of God through October in our preaching and teaching it has almost become a regular prayer drawing me into the holiness of God, being reminded of call and centering on my personal relationship with God.

The hymn begins with the declaration, promise, covenant steadfast reminder : “O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end.”

These words have become a powerful reminder not just for this day but for life. It is easy to promise Jesus our lives while sitting in a sanctuary surrounded by other believers. It is another thing to live that promise on Monday morning when the world starts pulling at us again.

Jesus never simply asked people to admire Him. He said, “Follow Me.”

That invitation changed everything for his Disciples. It meant learning a different way of living. It meant discovering that Jesus might lead them somewhere they had never planned to go.

And eventually it meant taking up a cross and carrying it without fail.  That is why this hymn is much more than a beautiful closing song. It is a prayer of consecration.

Jesus, I have promised.

I have promised to follow when the way is clear. But also when it isn’t.

I have promised to follow when I understand. But also when I have questions.

I have promised to follow when following is comfortable. But also when obedience requires something from me.

Perhaps this is where holiness begins.

One of the most meaningful prayers within this hymn is the plea for Jesus to remain near. The writer understood something important: we cannot faithfully follow Jesus without staying close to Jesus.

There are so many voices competing for our attention.

There will be temptations trying to redirect us.

There will be moments when fear tells us to turn around.

There will even be times when we wonder whether we heard Jesus correctly.

But the answer is not simply to try harder. The answer is to stay nearer.

Nearer through prayer. Nearer through Scripture. Nearer through worship. Nearer through the fellowship of other believers. Nearer through listening for the Holy Spirit.

Prayer growth means that we are no longer asking Jesus merely to bless what we want to do but surrendering ourselves to the road that has been chosen for us and surrendering ourselves to the road the Holy Spirit is guiding us on.

The big part of the journey is trusting in Jesus and where we are being directed.

So today, before rushing into everything waiting for us, perhaps we should renew our promise.

And when we are reminded of the words Jesus said:  “Follow Me,”

May my answer still be, “Yes, Lord. I will follow.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I have promised to follow You, but I confess that sometimes I wander, sometimes I hesitate, and sometimes I want You to follow my plans instead of surrendering myself to Yours. Draw me nearer. Quiet the voices that compete with Yours. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me courage to walk wherever You lead. May the promise I sing become the life I live. Amen.