The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

Abraham, a man of God, who lived in days of old
Was honoured, blessed lovingly with riches manifold
Beneath the starry skies above, he did a pledge receive
Of myriad children born of him, with faith he to believe

Yet laughed he at the strangest thought, a hundred age in years
How he would have the child longed for, with many wordless tears
Isaac unto him was born, delight which knew no end
All his hopes in him were met, the promise God did send

And loved his son with heartfelt love, devotedly and deep
All to him belovedly, was his alone to keep
Isaac, the dear and precious child, to him he fast was bound
The blessing God bestowed on him, o'er him was wrapp'd around

The God of Abraham above beheld the aged man
Him He loved with all His heart before His love began
And sought his love its all in all that must have no divide
To give the blessing or his God, full worship deep inside

All promises, the covenant, within this boy-child lay
God sought the man to sacrifice, his blessed son to slay
True to faith, obediently, his troubled, aching heart
Bade Abraham climb up the mount, with Isaac to depart

Yet ere his knife could full descend, to reach his young son's breast
The angel swift forbade him so, the man was heaven-blest
For Abraham, the victory resounded loud and clear
He gave up all his heart to God, and all he loved most dear

The paradox of blessedness, all wonderful and true
Possessing nothing, yet possessing, blessed one in two
No gift of God, to grace the heart must there be let to reign
From God it came, to Him returned there safe it will remain

All blessings, rendered to me never shall be truly mine
Till unto God surrendered be, and to Him I resign
In giving and more giving, yet I draw but from His fount
All to God from me received, are His alone to count

There is a blessing greater still, for all who would partake
An endless wellspring of true love, the truest blessing make
In love to love, forever love, this blessed gift divine
My God of endless worth I love, be blest and always mine.