In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
This hymn is deeply powerful! I find the lyrics steeped in rich anointing. The language and vocabulary is descriptive, and paints a beautiful picture of the Gospel story.
Hymns are usually a taste of a time gone by. They harken back to an age long forgotten. However, I was surprised when I found that this particular hymn was written by Northern Irishman Keith Getty (b. 1974) and Englishman Stuart Townsend (b. 1963) in 2001.
“In Christ Alone,” tells the story of the cross of Calvary with such detailed eloquence. It takes me on a journey back to the day Jesus laid down His life. Hearing it sung, or even reading the lyrics, causes me to stiffen and still myself in awe of the heavy cost Jesus paid for me. As I am, at the same time, soberly reminded that He did it willingly and with such great love. The cross cost Him everything. It makes me realize the price of the peace He has given to me.
In light of this blessed and blinding truth, why do I still find myself striving at times? Striving to be good enough. Striving to prove myself worthy. Even striving to erase my own sin.
When I look at the cross – truly stop and focus – my strivings cease.
My debt of sin was paid in full and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that I can do to earn my salvation, to make myself worthy or to be pure enough. The blood of Jesus paid for it all. It is a free gift. I simply need to accept it.
Strive
(verb)
Striving
- Make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
- Struggle or fight vigorously.
In a similar vein, as children of God we can strive for so many things, other than just feeling worthy of saving. Our fears of the “what ifs” and unknowns may disable us with worry or cause us to fight vigorously to obtain security. We try to attain peace in our own strength. Yet placed before us is the peace of God that is “firm through the fiercest drought and storm.” We just need to look at the cross. To embrace it.
He paid it all, friends! His gift to us should cause us to sing these next verses with great freedom!
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
As we journey towards the upcoming celebration of Resurrection Day, may we all take time to wholeheartedly cast our strivings at the foot of the magnificent cross. To rest in the blessed truth and victory that no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from his hand. We are his and He is ours! Bought with the precious blood of Christ!
My prayer for each one of you reading this is that you will be able to firmly say, with rejoicing confidence, “Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”
Please take a moment to listen to this compelling Hymn by clicking here. In Christ Alone
Let the waterfall of freedom pour over you, as your fears are stilled and your strivings cease.
He is not here; he is risen, just as he said. – Matthew 28:6
Happy Easter, Friends!
Be Blessed,
~ Stephanie
For His Glory, By His Grace 