"Now I Belong to Jesus"

 

Norman John Clayton was born in Brooklyn, NY, the 9th of 10 children. He gave his heart to Jesus at age six at the South Brooklyn Gospel Church. He was musically inclined, and became church organist at age 12, and also played trumpet. He remained an organist for the rest of his life.

When young he first worked on a dairy farm, then held an office job in NYC. Clayton entered the building trades industry, working for his father’s construction business, and during the depression, with a commercial bakery. He married Martha Adaline Wistendahl, and they had two children.

In the early 1940s, Jack Wyrtzen invited him to be an organist with NYC “Word of Life” rallies. For 15 years he provided music, was organist, vibraphonist, director of the inquiry room, and radio evangelist. He created his own publishing house, and from 1945-1959 he published 30 of his own songbooks. His company was eventually purchased by the Rodeheaver Company, and he joined them as a writer/editor, providing other songs during that period. He died at Carmel, NY.

Clayton stated: “I feel it is vitally important that every song I write be biblically based.” He had the habit of writing the music before the words. He made it a lifelong practice to memorize Scripture and tried, each time he wrote the words of a song, to be sure that its message was clearly biblical.

In 1942 he was working with Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life organization, providing music for both the radio broadcasts and crusade meetings.  He composed the tune Ellsworth that year and wrote the words for this fine gospel song about a year later. 

Clayton wrote hundreds of hymns and they were singable, musically sweet and tender of sentiment.  They reflected his evangelical emphasis, focused on the saving work of Christ and the relationship with God through Him

This hymn emphasizes the believer's assurance of salvation and eternal belonging to Christ. It reflects his commitment to writing music that is both theologically sound and accessible for congregational singing.  

Lindsay Terry, in his book “Stories Behind Popular Songs and Hymns” (Baker Book House, 1990) recounts the following story: “A missionary named Roy Gustatson was invited to minister at a notorious prison in Jamaica. He sang and preached the gospel that day to a thousand men. But then, a guard asked if he’d meet with a small group of condemned prisoners who were to go to the gallows in a couple of days. The consciousness that this would be the last time these men would hear the gospel gripped him.

"To these men, starkly facing a Christless eternity, Roy gave his personal testimony, and sang Norman Clayton’s song, 'Now I Belong to Jesus.' One man was a condemned killer. He said, 'I’m going to die on Tuesday morning, sir. Can I be saved?' Adding sadly, 'I can’t read.'

"When Gustatson read him some salvation verses from the Word of God, the man bowed his face to the dirt floor sobbing, and called on the Lord to save him. Then, smiling through his tears, he asked for Clayton’s song to be sung again and, with some help, he sang along. As the guard let the evangelist out of the prison, he looked back and saw the man, waving his arms through the bars, still singing, 'Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me, / Not for the years of time alone, / But for eternity.'”

Verse One

“Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,

From Him no pow’r of evil can sever,

He gave His life to ransom my soul;

Now I belong to Him.”

Mark 10:45

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Biblerepository.com: The phrase “to give His life a ransom for many” is also crucial. It points to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where He willingly gave up His life to pay for our sins. This act of love paid the price so we could be free from guilt and shame . . . Furthermore, the word “ransom” implies that Jesus paid a hefty price. His sacrifice was not trivial; it was a life laid down so that we could be free from the consequences of our own mistakes.

Verse Two

“Once I was lost in sin’s degradation,

Jesus came down to bring me salvation,

Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,

Now I belong to Him.”

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Biblerepository.com: The phrase “once I was lost” encompasses every person. It serves as an invitation for us to come out of hiding and into the light of Christ’s love. No one is excluded from His call; regardless of our life choices, Jesus is calling us to Himself. Every lost person has value, and this truth should resonate deeply in our hearts.

Godsbless.ing: This verse from the gospel of Luke captures the heart and mission of Jesus Christ as He walked the earth. Jesus’s mission to seek and save the lost speaks to the very essence of who He is and what He stands for . . . It reflects His compassion, love, and unwavering dedication to bringing back those who have strayed away.

Verse Three

“Joy floods my soul for Jesus has saved me,

Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me

His precious blood, He came to redeem,

Now I belong to Him.”

Titus 3:5

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Enduringword.com: This is the essence and distinctive of the gospel. We can notice the emphasis: of God . . . not by works . . . His mercy . . . He saved us . . . of the Holy Spirit . . . He poured . . . through Jesus . . .  by His grace . . . heirs. God is always the initiator, and we receive from Him before we give anything back.

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: God's unmerited grace is the source of all salvation, and all the good works of a hundred lifetimes could never earn or merit the saving grace of God.

Refrain

“Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: God has deeply rooted the idea of eternity in every human heart; and every considerate man sees that all the operations of God refer to that endless duration . . . And it is only in eternity that man will be able to discover what God has designed by the various works He has formed.

Godsbless.ing: The phrase “He has also set eternity in the human heart” delves deeper into the idea of our innate longing for something beyond the earthly realm. It speaks to the human desire for eternity, for something greater and more meaningful than what we experience in this life . . . This verse serves as a comforting reminder that despite the temporal nature of this world, our souls are aligned with eternity and are meant for a deeper spiritual connection with God.

Psalm 93:2

“Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity.”

 “There never was a time in which God did not reign, in which He was not a supreme and absolute Monarch; for He is from everlasting. There never was a time in which He was not; there never can be a period in which He shall cease to exist.” (Clarke)

You who are saved. You will always belong to Jesus!

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

DianaLeaghMatthews.com

Hymnoftheweek.net, Jeff Mowery

Barryshymns.blogspot.com

Hymnary.org

By His Grace . . . 

Satisfied

 

George Beverly Shea tells this story about the author of this hymn, Clara Tear Williams, in his book, “Songs That Lift the Heart”:

"My father, the Reverend A. J. Shea, and I were on an afternoon shopping trip for Mother, as I recall. When we came out of a store in Houghton, New York, where we had recently moved from Winchester, Ontario, we met a tall, elderly woman making her way slowly up the street. She was walking in that slow, mincing step older people sometimes do, cautious not to lose balance.

"Dad tipped his hat and said good day to her as we passed. She stopped and looked up to see who was speaking. Smiling sweetly, she returned his greeting.

"'Do you know who that was, son?' he asked me on up the way. I turned and watched as she continued her careful progress. Though a distinguished woman, I had no idea who she was.

"'That,' said Dad, 'was Mrs. Clara Tear Williams. She writes hymns.' There was a near reverence in his voice, and though I was only eight years old, I was duly impressed. Already, I was fascinated by music and anyone who was involved in it . . .

"When Dad and I got home that afternoon, I told Mother about meeting Mrs. Williams, the hymnwriter. She smiled knowingly and nodded her head. Then she went to the piano bench and found a hymnal that contained one of Clara Tear Williams' compositions.

"She explained that Mrs. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist like us, had written the words, but that the music had been written by Ralph E. Hudson, an Ohio publisher who also was an evangelistic singer.

"A few years later, when I was in my teens and began to sing solos, I memorized the hymn that Mother played that day and sang it. It was entitled ‘Satisfied.’"

George Beverly Shea also said: “She [Williams] had a regal and dignified bearing and yet she had the kindness and gentleness of Christ in her face. I enjoyed the soft, musical tones of her voice. Through her sweetness and graciousness to everyone, she became another wonderful proof to me of the reality of the Christian walk. Hers was a beautiful life exhibited not only to the whole community but expressed also in the pages of hymnody.”

Mrs. Clara Tear Williams, as a young woman, was a schoolteacher. She suffered an attack of tuberculosis but fully recovered from it and for several years engaged in evangelistic work in several North Central states.

Williams said: “I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote ‘Satisfied.’ In the morning, he composed the music."

In 1895 she married the Reverend W.H. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, and until his death thirty years later labored with him in serving churches in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Commission of her church which compiled Sacred Hymns and Tunes, in 1897.

Verse One

“All my life-long I had panted,

For a drink from some cool spring;

That I hoped would quench,

The burning of the thirst I felt within.”

John 4:14

“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Enduringword.com: The effect of this water does much more than simply satisfy the thirst of the one who drinks it. It also creates something good, something life-giving in the heart of the one who drinks it. It becomes a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

Biblerepository.com: Jesus says that if we drink of the water He provides, we will never thirst again. This represents a complete satisfaction that comes not from earthly things but from a relationship with Him. There is an implication that our souls can be filled and fulfilled by Him in a way that nothing else – not achievements, wealth, or even relationships – can ever accomplish. This “well of water springing up” symbolizes the continuous flow of His grace, love, and sustenance in our lives, giving us strength and vitality day by day. This living water becomes a source of life within us.

Verse Two

“Feeding on the husks around me,

Till my strength was almost gone;

Longed my soul for something better,

Only still to hunger on.”

Proverbs 13:19

“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.”

Bibleoutlined.com: A longing can relate to spiritual desires—ways in which we yearn for a connection to God, as well as emotional and physical aspirations. The fulfillment of such longings is depicted as “sweet,” a metaphor that elicits feelings of joy. We experience this sweetness when we pray for something and see our prayers answered, reinforcing our faith and hope . . .  let us strive to identify and pursue our longings while also remaining mindful of the paths we take to achieve them. Are they leading us toward fulfillment in life, or are they luring us into destructive patterns? . . . Ultimately, by aligning our hearts with goodness and embracing change, we gain access to the sweetness life offers. Let us prioritize wisdom, foster our good desires, and move away from things that bring negativity around us. If we do so, we are sure to find ourselves experiencing a life filled with joy and fulfillment.

Verse Three

“Poor I was, and sought for riches,

Something that would satisfy;

But the dust I gathered round me,

Only mocked my soul's sad cry.”

Psalm 145:16

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: God consistently sustains the fallen, uplifts the oppressed, and provides for all. Therefore, every person looks to God for His provision of his or her needs. Since God’s dominion is everlasting, He cares for His creatures faithfully and lovingly all the time.

Godsbless.ing: This verse serves as a reminder of the abundance and provision that comes from the Lord. It emphasizes the belief that God’s care and generosity extend to all living beings, fulfilling their needs and desires. The reference to “every living thing” shows the universal scope of God’s benevolence, highlighting the idea that no one is overlooked by His care. This verse also underscores the concept of contentment and satisfaction that comes from relying on God for our needs, trusting in His perfect provision for us . . . It encourages us to have faith that God will provide for us, satisfying our true needs and leading us to a place of contentment and fulfillment. This verse ultimately inspires gratitude and trust in God’s constant care and provision for each of us.

Verse Four

“Well of water, ever springing,

Bread of Life, so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.”

Psalm 19:14

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance.

John 6:35

“Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”

Bibleoutlined.com: This verse from the book of John carries deep significance, as it encapsulates the essence of Christ’s mission and His invitation to humanity. Here, Jesus refers to Himself as the “bread of life.” This phrase not only symbolizes sustenance but also spiritual nourishment. Just as bread is a fundamental source of physical nourishment for the body, Jesus presents Himself as the fundamental source of spiritual fulfillment for the soul. He assures us that if we come to Him, we will never experience hunger or thirst, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. This means that when we accept Christ and believe in Him, our deepest needs for love, meaning, and purpose will be met. In essence, Jesus promises that He alone can satisfy our heartfelt longings in ways that worldly things cannot. The invitation here is open, welcoming all who seek satisfaction and fulfillment in life’s journey.

Refrain

“Hallelujah! I have found Him-

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings;

Through His blood I now am saved.”

Acts 4:12

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Godsbless.ing: Salvation through Jesus Christ is made possible because He is the only name by which we can be saved. Jesus is our mediator, the one who sacrificed Himself for our sins on the cross, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Through faith in Jesus, we can be redeemed and receive the gift of eternal life. It is by His grace alone that we are saved, not by our own works or merit . . . When we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior, believing in Him and confessing our sins, we receive the promise of salvation. We become children of God by accepting Him into our hearts. This act of faith in Jesus is the foundational step towards salvation, leading us into a personal relationship with God and securing our eternal destiny in heaven. We will continue to seek Him, obey His teachings, and live out our faith in Jesus Christ as we strive to walk in His ways and share the hope of salvation with others.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Godtube.com

WordwiseBiblestudies.com

Christianheritagefellowship.com

Bibleportal.com

By His Grace . . .