Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown

Earlier this night, I pondered on a random hymn from my old hymn book which I "borrowed" from church when I was a teen. I tried learning the song while relating to my good friend from the 18th Century Charles Wesley (1707-1788) while he relates it during an earlier timezone in Genesis 32:22-30.

This was the time when Jacob wrestled with God (portrayed as an anonymous traveler) as he was left alone during one of his travels. If you have read the verse, you will agree with me that it's another "divine comedy" in the ancient scriptures. Jacob wrestles with God! Isn't that fantastic? That doesn't end there. As mentioned in verse 26:

Then the man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me".

I admire Jacob's persistence in this chapter. 

I hope we are all like that, but oftentimes, we quit and stop when it seems like God is nowhere to be found. If that's the case, let's always call him and tell him "I will not let you go until you bless me." Let us call the anonymous traveler and let us allow him to come into our hearts as he wrestles with the sins of our hearts.

Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown
Text: Charles Wesley 
Music: Traditional Scottish Medley, harmony by Carloton Young, 1963
Tune: Candler

Come, O thou Traveler unknown
Whom still I hold but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee.
With thee all night I meant to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.

With thee all night I meant to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.


I need not tell who I am,
My misery and sin declare;
thyself has called me by my name,
look on thy hands and read it there.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name and tell me now.

But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name and tell me now.


Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self despair!
Speak to my heart, in blessing speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.

Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.


'Tis love! 'Tis love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, Universal Love thou art. 
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.