Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed? (At the Cross)

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24

Recently, I was at the busiest U.S. airport making an international connection. It was soon after the holidays, and on the international concourse were hundreds and hundreds of service men and women. They were "returning to work" at their stations overseas.

I was really overcome by this sight of so many men and women leaving the comforts of home to go to a foreign and dangerous place and risk their lives for my well-being. I made it a point to look at each one I passed and told them "Thank you!" but it didn't seem like enough.

They were willingly serving and going in my place. Because they were going, I didn't have to.

They were my substitute.

Then I thought about Jesus.

Jesus was my substitute.

Because He went to the cross to pay for my sin, I won't have to.

He willingly served and went in my place. As this hymn so beautifully says, Was it for crimes that I had done, He groaned upon that tree? YES!

Christ, the mighty maker died for man, the creature's, sin. Think about that. Our creator, the One who made us, died for us, because of our (His creation's) sin.

Paul, in his letter to the church at Colossae, reminds us that Jesus, the image of the invisible God, was our Creator.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:13-17

Our Creator paid the price, and was our substitute.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
I John 2:1-2

We had a debt we couldn't pay. Nothing, besides a sinless Savior, could cancel out the decrees against us.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14

Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe. In dying for such a worm as I, He saved me from the wrath of God and reconciled me to the Father.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10

When I think about Jesus' substitutionary work on my behalf, my response is much like Mr. Watts'. My heart is dissolved in thankfulness and my eyes are melted to tears. However, my grief over my sin will not repay the debt of love I owe. So I sing with Mr. Watts and all the saints, "Here Lord, I give myself away, 'tis all that I can do."

Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
Words by Isaace Watts

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 4

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You have granted me, through Your divine power, everything pertaining to life and godliness. I pray that during this Lenten season, I would deepen in my true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Lord, I want to know You more. Reveal Yourself to me through Your word, in Your creation, through my interactions with others, through Your Holy Spirit. Draw me close to You and surround me with Your grace and peace today.

In Your Name,
Amen.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 3

"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?" Job 38:22

Dear Almighty God,

Today's new and abundant snowfall is a wonderful reminder of Your sovereignty over creation. Thank You that You are the God who provides the rain, the sun, the clouds, the snow, the hail and the thunder. Thank you for the change of seasons to delight us. Lord, I pray that I would not question You or want to instruct You as Job was doing in this passage. I thank You for Your almighty power and ask that I would be mindful of Your power in creation.

Lord, today I also pray for those who are suffering across the world as a result of the earthquake and the tsunami. Even those things are not out of Your control, Lord, and I pray for safety for those involved and that You may be glorified even amidst the devastation.

In Your Name,
Amen.

40 Days of Prayer: Day 2

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. II Corinthians 2:14

Dear God,

Today I come before you in thanksgiving. I thank you for leading me in triumph through Christ who paid for my sin on the cross and who through Your power rose from the grave, conquering death forevermore. I thank you that because of His work, I will never taste death. I thank you that because of your incomparable love, death had no hold on Jesus and has no hold on me! I ask you today to manifest in me the knowledge of Christ in every place. Help me to see You and Him more clearly in everything and to recognize You in thanksgiving. Make me a portal, Lord, that others will see You in me and give You all the glory.

For Your Name I ask it,
Amen.

Draw Me Closer, Lord, to Thee

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

As the Lenten season begins today, I desire to draw close to God. I desire this more often than just in the Lenten season, at some times more strongly than others, but especially at this time, I find myself wanting to be quiet before the Lord and drawn close.

I want to be folded in His love.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. I John 3:1

I want Him to reveal to me all the riches of His grace.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

I want him to mold my heart into His image.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

Through my closeness with my Father, I want Him to show me how He is refining me.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

I want to be made complete in Him.

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete. Colossians 2:9-10

My longing soul aspires to discover in Him all I yearn for and desire!

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

During this season, I will devote myself to more fervent study of God's word, in addition to spending more time in prayer; both speaking but especially listening. My earnest prayer is that as I draw nearer to Him I might know Him more and that He would change me.

Join me here every day as I share my prayers of praise and supplication in my effort to draw near to Him. And I also pray for you, that as you contemplate Christ's atoning work on the cross and His triumphant resurrection, that you would draw near and feel His presence.


Draw Me Closer, Lord, to Thee
Words by Elisha Hoffman

Draw me closer, Lord, to Thee,
Fold me in Thy love’s embrace,
And unto my soul reveal
All the riches of Thy grace.

Refrain
Draw me closer, closer, closer,
Closer, Lord, to Thee;
Ever purer, purer, purer
Then my soul shall be.

Draw me closer, Lord, to Thee;
In Thy arms Thy child enfold,
And this earthly heart of mine
Into Thine own image mold.

Draw me closer, Lord, to Thee,
In communion rich and sweet,
Till my soul shall be refined,
And in Thee be made complete.

Draw me closer, Lord, to Thee,
For my longing soul aspires
To discover in Thyself
All it yearns for and desires.

Christ for the World We Sing

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."Mark 16:15

I had the privelege of worshipping with other believers who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as the result of missionairies living among them, witnessing to them, starting a church and discipling them. It was awe inspiring. These people, who didn't grow up in Christian homes and who live in a very secular culture (in a foreign country), really love and trust Jesus, and it is obvious through their worship and their interaction with each other.

I was humbled and thankful as I thought about how God had given my husband and me the opportunity to support this church with the gifts He's given us. It was so meaningful to us to meet the people who we'd prayed for, and it was so encouraging to worship with them, but best of all, to know that we'd be worshipping together in heaven someday as a result of someone's willingness to GO and TELL them the GOOD NEWS!

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 2:13-14

I saw first hand the loving zeal that was brought to these people, and how they were now able to reach their community with that loving zeal. Through testimony given that one Sunday, we saw clearly that salvation had come to these people, and they were not ashamed!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

God has not called me to be a missionary to a foreign country. He probably hasn't called you to that service either. But that doesn't mean we're off the hook! Many of us have the opportunity to support the spreading of the gospel through financial means, either through giving to our local church or by supporting missionaries directly. And one thing we can ALL do, and should do more of, I would venture to say, is PRAY. We should pray for the missionaries who are serving, for boldness in their speech and love in their approach.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

We should pray that God would give them opportunity, and that they would take it.

We should pray for their safety and protection.

We should pray that they would have all they need.

We should pray that the Spirit would turn hearts to God that they would hear the gospel and believe in faith.

We should pray for God to raise up leaders among new believers so that these churches can become self-supporting and missionaries can go tell the good news to other people!

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" Romans 10:12-15

These newborn souls, reclaimed from error's ways are now inspired with hope and praise because they belong to Christ. It is a wonderful thing to see this in person.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to see Your hand at work among Your people. May I be more diligent in my prayers for this church, and for all of Your work around the world, that Your name would be made great and that many people would come to salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ for the World We Sing
Words by Samuel Wolcott

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with loving zeal,
The poor and them that mourn, the faint and overborne,
Sin sick and sorrow worn, whom Christ doth heal.

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with fervent prayer;
The wayward and the lost, by restless passions tossed,
Redeemed at countless cost, from dark despair.

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with one accord;
With us the work to share, with us reproach to dare,
With us the cross to bear, for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with joyful song;
The newborn souls, whose days, reclaimed from error’s ways,
Inspired with hope and praise, to Christ belong.

Glory be to God on High

Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5

I had the opportunity last month to visit a place that is quite unmarked by human hands. It is a remote national park in South America that hasn't been "civilized" and is just raw nature in its purest form.



The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them. Psalm 89:11

It was an amazing experience to see water, trees, mountains and sky in their naturalness, without any human intervention, for hundreds and hundreds of miles.

Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. Psalm 69:34

We passed by mountain after mountain after mountain as we sailed upriver, and each seemed to sing a song of praise to God that was louder than the last.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praises to our God on the lyre, Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens which cry. Psalm 147:7-9

As we passed by these mountains, waterfalls would appear, just coming off the sides as if poured from above!



He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. Psalm 104:13

I was reminded of what Jesus said during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting:
"BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" Luke 19:37-40

Even the stones will cry out. If we don't praise our Lord, the rocks will! For they are always praising their Creator. Earth and sea is crying "God is good!"

For I know that the LORD is great and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries. Psalm 135:5-7

Let the whole creation cry! Don't be silent today. Let your praises to our God be heard!


Glory be to God on High
Words by Theodore William

Glory be to God on high, Alleluia!
Let the whole creation cry, Alleluia!
Peace and blessing He has given, Alleluia!
Earth repeat the songs of heaven, Alleluia!

Creatures of the field and flood, Alleluia!
Earth and sea cry “God is good,” Alleluia!
Toiling pilgrims raise the song, Alleluia!
Saints in light the strain prolong, Alleluia!

Stars that have no voice to sing Alleluia!
Give their glory to our King, Alleluia!
Silent powers and angels’ song, Alleluia!
All unto our God belong, Alleluia!