I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come and I will give thee rest."
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Those who suffer are heaven-blessed."

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"My yoke is easy, my burden is light."
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Trust in Me, I will provide."

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Die to self, I give you life."
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Give up your ways, for Mine are right."

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Pick up your cross and follow Me."
I heard the voice of Jesus say--
His sayings made no sense to me.

I wanted to believe in Him;
Indeed, with my small faith I did.
But my weak heart could not rely
On things unseen by human eye.

"Your yoke is easy? No way that's true.
You promised trials and hardships, too.
Those who suffer will be blessed?
Taking up your cross is somehow rest?"

I tried to grasp, but reason failed.
I turned away, but He prevailed.

"Try me now, and you will find
Life and joy and peace of mind.
Forget your fears and trust in Me.
With worldly wisdom you cannot see."

I don't know why, but I gave in.
I left my ways and followed Him.
As if my feet were not my own,
They walked the path that He had shown.

Then I found true what He had said.
Dying to self, I was not dead.
All that wisdom could not see
Faith made very real to me.

Though every reasoning said no,
My experience proved that it was so.
So may I  trust and just obey
Whatever I hear my Savior say.