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
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.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
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 think about this.
What Do You See?
When you look at the cross what do you see? Try it. Close you eyes. Envision the cross. Answer the question. What do you see?
Do you see the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your soul? Eyes of faith allow you to see that. Not simply Jesus hanging there to pay for your sins, but the outcome of your faith. We did not get to see Jesus at the cross, but when we look at the cross we can see Jesus, and all that His work there accomplished.
It was there by faith I received my sight
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV
Our faith allows us to see the wonder of the cross, Christ’s finished work there and all that He accomplished. Thank Him for giving you spiritual eyes to see.
What a gift to see the cross with eyes of faith! Many who look upon it never truly realize the significance of what Jesus did there. If you do, give Him praise. If you do not, ask Him to give you faith-enabled sight right now.
RESONATE!
When you look at the cross can you see the salvation of your soul? If not, please take a few minutes right now and ask Jesus for faith-enabled sight. There is an effect of Jesus’ work at the cross, but you must have spiritual eyes to see it.
Enduring Happiness
And just what is that effect of Jesus’ work at the cross? The Scripture above says the salvation of your souls. The hymn writer here says being made happy all the day. Are they the same or are they different? I suppose they could be both, depending on your understanding, but for our sake here we are going to say they are the same.
There are the same because the soul that is saved has a happiness that is not effected by external circumstances. It is happy all the day no matter what because it has found peace with God. Have you found that happiness?
And now I am happy all the day
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV
We have victory over sin, death and the grave through our Lord Jesus Christ. We experience sadnesses in our lives, but we do so against the enduring joy He has given us. Thank Him one more time for applying His work at the cross to your life.
The writer is not saying we never have anything but happiness. Instead, he is affirming that because of the cross, even when we deal with unhappy things we are able to maintain a level of happiness in spite of it. Thank the Father for making you happy.
RESONATE!
God saved your soul through the work of His Son at the cross. Thank the Father for saving your soul, for making you happy. “Father, thank You for making me happy.”
Jesus, thank You for your work at the cross. It changes everything for me, not only for eternity but for how I live my life daily. In Jesus name. Amen.
Happy Thinking!
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Podcast 26.6 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV
Jesus bled and died at the cross so that we could die to sin and live to righteousness. At the cross He opened our eyes and delivered us from the dominion of darkness. Give Him praise for opening your eyes at the cross.
And the burden of my heart rolled away
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
If you have placed your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross, you know what it feels like to have the weight of your sin lifted. Thank Him. If you do not know, humble yourself before Him, confess your sin and need of a Savior, and feel the burden roll away today.
It was there by faith I received my sight
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV
Our faith allows us to see the wonder of the cross, Christ’s finished work there and all that He accomplished. Thank Him for giving you spiritual eyes to see.
And now I am happy all the day
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV
We have victory over sin, death and the grave through our Lord Jesus Christ. We experience sadnesses in our lives, but we do so against the enduring joy He has given us. Thank Him one more time for applying His work at the cross to your life.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the 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
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post What A Happy Sight! appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
It was there by faith I received my sight – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-human-face-vision-look-person-321961/
And now I am happy all the day – https://pixabay.com/photos/search/happy/
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