Yesterday I sang this beautiful song about being the cross. It has a gorgeous melody and the words are powerful. While the cross is not something we should worship nor is it what saves us, it can point us to THE ONE Who died for us.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand;
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And burdens of the day.
King David knew where he could find shelter from the storms of life. II Samuel 22:2 says, “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;”
Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffer’d there for me;
And from my striken heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love,
And my unworthiness.
These wonders the writer is singing about are points I have pondered in my own life. I am not worthy to enter heaven on my own but God is in His love and mercy sent Jesus to the cross to redeem me and make me worthy. Jesus did so willingly because He loves us. Wonder can be turned to praise for what He has done for us. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
I take, O cross, your shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of his face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain or loss;
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.
Our family has memorized many verses from Romans and this one is no exception. It is a powerful verse that is important in the understanding and sharing with others how they, too, can see the glory of the cross. Jesus being on that cross is what we can glory in and worship Him, for.
Romans 6:23 reminds us of why. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Salvation lies not in the glory of myself and not in the glory of just the cross but in WHO was on that cross. Jesus, perfect and sinless, took my sins (and yours) on Himself when He went to the cross.
Glory in all He has done for you today. Share this glory with others. It should be the news we are talking about day by day because this news will change someone’s heart for eternity!