Recently I paid my respects to a friend by attending her father’s funeral. I arrived early and sat quietly for about half an hour listening to the organist play a selection of appropriate hymns for the occasion. Being a hymn-lover, I was singing along to myself, enjoying the words of each song. The selection included hymns like Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Abide With Me, Amazing Grace, Morning Has Broken and other favorites. When she played How Great Thou Art, I was overcome by one word in one of the verses. The word “scarce” jumped out at me as I was going over the lyrics in my mind.
And when I think, that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
It’s so true! I scarce can take it in! Why would God give up His only Son for a sinner like me? Why did He set out to redeem fallen creatures like us? Why does He pursue us and desire our worship and company? It boggles my mind that He, the eternal, sovereign God of the universe, would “deign to walk with me”. Yes, I scarce can take it in!
Oh the love that drew salvation’s plan
Oh the grace that brought it down to man;
Oh the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!
May we never take for granted the price of our redemption. May it always cause us to marvel!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
And when I think, that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
It’s so true! I scarce can take it in! Why would God give up His only Son for a sinner like me? Why did He set out to redeem fallen creatures like us? Why does He pursue us and desire our worship and company? It boggles my mind that He, the eternal, sovereign God of the universe, would “deign to walk with me”. Yes, I scarce can take it in!
Oh the love that drew salvation’s plan
Oh the grace that brought it down to man;
Oh the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!
May we never take for granted the price of our redemption. May it always cause us to marvel!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
good post, uplifting thoughts ... in every farewell, there is something that the Lord teaches us ...
ReplyDeletelast night, i felt a need to blog about the televisized national funeral for the 4 slain RCMP Officers yesterday ... i saw a glimmer of hope, proclaimed in one of the eulogies ...
as you said, may we never take for granted the price of our redemption ...
Blessings on your weekend!