Many people begin each new year making New Year’s Resolutions to do things differently in the coming year that will result in a better life for them. Sadly, these resolutions are often forgotten within weeks or months of making the resolution.
Instead of a resolution, I’ve chosen a Scripture verse and hymn for 2022—a recommitment to diligently follow God.
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Palmer Hartsough wrote the lyrics and James H. Fillmore composed the tune for the hymn I Am Resolved.
As we sing this hymn, we express our resolve, or determination, to go to Jesus because He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).
Stanza 1
I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
Here we resolve not to continue being tempted to sin by the world’s delights. Instead, since we are Christ-followers, we are to seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God and Set [our] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV).
Refrain
I will hasten to Him,
Hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
The refrain reminds me of the resolve of the prodigal son, when he came to his senses and resolved to go home to his father (Luke 15:11-24). We sing that we will come to Jesus for salvation, if needed, and for forgiveness of unconfessed sin.
Stanza 2
I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife,
He is the true One, He is the Just One
He hath the words of life.
Stanza 3
I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day,
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living way.
Here we resolve to go to the Savior, Jesus Messiah and leave our sin and strife behind and come to Him for salvation. By faith we know that He is the true and just God who has the “words of life.”
Here we resolve to follow the Savior. Once we become a Christ-follower, we must obey and follow Him as Lord. We know what we should do because He left us the Holy Spirit-inspired Bible to teach us about Who God is and what He requires of us.
Stanza 4
I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.
Here we resolve to enter God’s kingdom on earth, leaving everything behind, so we may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
Stanza 5
I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay;
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heavenly way.
Here we resolve to share the Good News with all those whom the Lord brings across our paths and ask them to follow us as we follow Christ. Christ-followers are able to faithfully walk with Christ because we are taught by the Bible and led by the Holy Spirit. Therefore we must walk alongside others in disciple-making relationships to help others understand what it means to follow Christ.
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