But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do
Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885
Listen to this modern version of this penitent hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.
Drops of Grief
What breaks your heart?
Do you recall when you last uttered some version of those words? “That really breaks my heart.” Was it the plight of someone on the news. Or maybe the news of a dilemma of a dear friend. Whatever the case may be, you are familiar with that sentiment and that feeling I am sure.
What breaks God’s heart?
The plight our sin had left us in, and the dilemma that placed a holy yet merciful God. Having to sacrifice His only sin to deal with sin, knowing that many would spurn His offer of forgiveness, and even those who would receive it would too often live as though they had not. Shame on us.
That should prompt some grief. But so should the fact that the sacrifice was necessary at all.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV
When we look at the cross and realize it was necessary because of our sin, it causes grief. That grief is the result of the awareness of our Savior’s sacrifice to take the burden of sin. In this penitent season, look to the cross again, and feel that grief again.
Can you recall the feeling that conviction of sin first evoked? Do you remember what it felt like when you first understood Jesus had removed that guilt through His work on the cross? Ponder that grief again today for just a few moments, and then we will consider what to do with it.
RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to help you recall that first awareness of your need of a Savior when you were confronted with your sin. “Spirit, remind me of my first grief over sin.” As you recall that, and reflect on the sacrifice that set you free from the curse of it, prepare to respond.
Debt of Love
Whether we look upon the cross, the crown of thorns, or the story as found in the words of Scripture, our eyes should cloud with tears, and our hearts with love. We respond to love. We must respond with love.
The world looks at the cross and responds with disgust. After all, it was a hideous punishment device. Yet we look on the cross with love. They see a circular crown of thorns. We see a heart. They see a man crucified. We see our Savior sacrificed.
And we respond with wonder, awe, and love.
The debt of love I owe
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV
Our grief in the cross should not leave us wallowing in sadness, but responding with gratitude in the resurrection life of Christ. That gratitude is characterized by love for the One who laid down His life and took it up again so we too might live. Acknowledge your debt of love to Jesus.
Jesus does not want us to languish in grief though. Instead, He invites us into a journey of responding to His demonstration of love with our own. It is not an attempt to repay the debt we owe Him, for we could never do that. Simply the right response. Thank Jesus for His love.
RESONATE!
How will you respond to the cross this Easter season? Hopefully gratitude. “Jesus, thank You for Your love.” But it can not, it must not stop there. Respond with love. Love for your Savior, shown to the world.
Jesus, thank You for the cross and Your finished work there. I pray it prompts me to a response of love that never ends. IN this season as we approach Easter once again, overwhelm me with Your love for me and may it motivate me to love others. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Responsive Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 49.5 Transcript, 26.5 Reframed
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do
Can you recall the feeling that conviction of sin first evoked? Do you remember what it felt like when you first understood Jesus had removed that guilt through His work on the cross? Ponder that grief again today for just a few moments, and then we will consider what to do with it.
Spirit, remind me of my first grief over sin.
Jesus does not want us to languish in grief though. Instead, He invites us into a journey of responding to His demonstration of love with our own. It is not an attempt to repay the debt we owe Him, for we could never do that. Simply the right response. Thank Jesus for His love.
Jesus, thank You for Your love.
Here is our response. We give ourselves away to God, to use our lives as extensions and expressions of the very love of Christ that has changed our eternities and is transforming our days. What will giving yourself away look like today? Ask the Father that question routinely.
Father, please show me how to give myself away today.
Giving ourselves away is the only right response to Christ doing that first. The hymn writer says it is all that we can do, so in a thousand ways this singular truth will be lived today. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy as you find your unique expressions of God’s love today.
Spirit, fill me with joy as I love.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Sing
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time,
Be Resonant.
The post Of Grief-Drops and Love-Debts (Reframed) appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
But drops of grief can ne’er repay – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-crosses-tears-cry-emotion-5530220/
The debt of love I owe – https://pixabay.com/photos/love-died-cross-thorns-crown-699480/
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