To Christ Alone Belongs Praise!

Student Developer June 2005

By Nancy L. Cox

WCFS Senior

As I look back over the years, I can see all my short comings, my struggles, the times when I was annoying, the times when I was annoyed. Everything there, in black and white, the good and the bad, and I marvel at the long suffering and mercy of God. I have let Him down so many times, I can’t even count them, yet He has forgiven me each time. Without Him, I am nothing; I would not be here today if it weren’t for Christ.

I am humbled by His everlasting Love. It’s a Love that holds on and doesn’t let go. I am unworthy of such Love, yet He still loves me. How can I express my gratitude? I am unworthy of uttering a single word. I can do nothing, I am nothing, but He lifted me up from the mess I was in and cleaned me off and washed me clean with His Love.

I have failed Christ so many times yet He forgives me and picks me up each time I fall, cleans me up and sets me on the road again. So many wrongs I’ve done, so many sin’s I’ve committed, yet He still wants me as His child. I cannot even fathom such Love, such tender mercies, such an awesome God is He!

If there is any good in me, it is only because of Christ in me. Without Him all my works are like filthy rags. Jesus is the savior of my soul and the lover of my heart. I stand in awe of His glory. He gave his life for me, what more can I do but give my life to Him?  “If all mankind had been righteous and only one man a sinner, Christ would have come to endure the same cross for this one man. He so loves every individual.” (St. Augustine.) “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for him.” (Philippians 1:29.)

As I was reading some of the quotes of persecuted believers in the Voice of the Martyrs: Extreme Devotion; devotional, I stumbled across this quote that hit me like a 2X4 across the head: “I would rather be hung than betray my Lord.” I have heard many Christians say things like this, but I think what hit me the hardest is the person who said it was a 19 year old girl in Pakistan, who had already gone through so much persecution for her faith. This girl is about my age and she is going through so much as a believer in Christ, I on the other hand shrink back from the slightest bit of confrontation. I feel so unworthy to be God’s child, I am so weak. I am thankful though, that He can still use the weak and unworthy people of the world to do his work and that He will give me strength to endure hard trials that come my way. 

He is my rock my fortress, and strong tower, my deliverer, my God, my Savior, my Jesus. He will I trust. He will I turn to. He shall I praise all the days of my life, for He has saved me from the despair of my sins and has rescued me from the judgment that I deserve. With His help I can endure the trials that come my way, and the sufferings that I suffer on this earth will seem like nothing if I keep my eyes fixed on Christ and His promises of the eternal reward that is waiting for me in His presence. I will keep my eyes fixed on running the race that is set before me; I will press on to the finish line. With Gods help I can endure. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all thine iniquities; who healed all thy diseases. Who redeemed thy life from destruction; who crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.” (Ps, 103:1-4.) To Christ alone be all the glory honor and praise.

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

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

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

Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the Christ in me

From life’s first 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