I Look Not Back

Representative Text

1 I look not back; God knows the fruitless efforts,
the wasted hours, the sin, the deep regrets.
I leave them all with him who blots the record,
and graciously forgives, and then forgets.

2 I look not forward; God sees all the future,
the road that, short or long, will lead me home,
and he will face with me its ev'ry trial,
and bear for me the burdens that may come.

3 I look not round me; then would fears assail me,
so wild the waves of earth's unruly seas,
so dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,
so vain the hope of comfort and of ease.

4 I look not inward; that would make me wretched,
for I have naught on which to stay my trust.
I only see my failures and offenses,
and weak endeavors, crumbling into dust.

5 But I look up into the face of Jesus,
for there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;
and there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,
and perfect peace, and ev'ry hope fulfilled.

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #815

Author: Annie Johnson Flint

Born: December 24, 1866, Vineland, New Jersey. Died: September 8, 1932, Clifton Springs, New York. Buried: Clifton Springs, New York. The biographical account of poetess/hymn-writer Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) is a story of both heartbreak and triumph. Born on Christmas Eve in the small town of Vineland, New Jersey, she was welcomed by Eldon and Jean Johnson as their greatest earthly gift. Three years later, little Annie would lose her mother, who died as she gave birth to Annie’s baby sister. Mr. Johnson, who himself was suffering from an incurable disease, willed the children to the Flint family who would bring them up in the Baptist faith. It was during a revival meeting at the age of 8 that the Spirit of God brought Annie… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I look not back, God knows the fruitless efforts
Title: I Look Not Back
Author: Annie Johnson Flint
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 11 of 11)

Ambassador Hymnal #400

Text

Christian Worship #815

Scripture Song Database #1652

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The Covenant Hymnal #450

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The Hymnal and Order of Service #431

Text

The Hymnal and Order of Service #431

The Hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. Text ed. #d219

The Junior Hymnal and Suggested Orders of Worship #d107

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The Junior Hymnal, Containing Sunday School and Luther League Liturgy and Hymns for the Sunday School #218

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The New Christian Hymnal #235

Youth's Favorite Songs #d58

Exclude 7 pre-1979 instances
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