Hymn #6

Here I am, Lord


I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin,

My hand will save.


Chorus

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.


I, who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?


Chorus

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.


I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them.

They turn away.


Chorus

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.


I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my words to them.

Whom shall I send?


Chorus

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.


I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will send the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them.

My hand will save.


Chorus

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.


Finest bread I will provide,

'Til their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send?



Chorus

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.


To listen to the melody, go here.

Words and Music by Daniel L Schutte© 1981
Genesis 46:2"And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night,and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I."


I had this hymn written in my prayer journal from sophomore year of college after a missions-oriented Intervarsity meeting. I like the words and call-and-response style of the song. But when I was meditating on it, I also had the conviction that when serving in another country, it's easy to place oneself in the role of Saviour. It's important to note that in the song (and in life), the Lord is the one who saves, sends, makes, breaks, provides, heals. We are the ones who respond and go, but all we can really do is open our hearts and wait for Him to move through us.