Day Twenty-Two
At one time or another, most Christians have probably experienced a disturbing shift during a season of intentional spiritual pursuit, such as reading through the Bible in a year, or taking a Lenten prayer journey, a shift that changes the nature of what we’re doing and the reason we’re doing it.
In short, what was meant to be “devotion” becomes “work.” What began with an earnest and heartfelt desire to draw closer to God becomes less about communion and more about obligation. When that happens during Lent, the shift can turn us around and push us in the opposite direction from where we started. Instead of heading to the cross, with its powerful reminder of what Christ has done for us, we turn away and start focusing on the things we’re doing for him. We act as though the “success” of our journey depends on our performance, and when that belief takes over we find ourselves drifting off the path, walking away from from Jerusalem instead of towards it.
There is only one perfect antidote for our wandering hearts when this happens: we stop whatever it is we’re doing and spend some time gazing upon the cross of Christ. Only in being reminded of Christ’s work can we find what we need to stop focusing on ours.
Today we’re going to do just that, by allowing a wonderful, yet little-known, hymn of the cross serve as our invitation to remember that this journey is not about our work or our worthiness. It is about Christ’s work and his worthiness alone. After listening to the hymn you are invited to sit with each verse prayerfully, allowing the words to become your own prayer of re-centering.
This particular recording features one instrumental verse before the vocals begin, and you’re invited during that time to be still, breathe deep, and begin in a spirit of prayer. Focus on the cross, whether with your eyes or with your heart, and know that the one who traveled to that cross willingly is more than able to turn us around when we’ve strayed from the path.
No other work, save thine,
no other blood will do;
no strength, save that which is divine,
can bear me safely through.
You can find the rest of the words in the prayer exercise below.
Prayerful Reflection
Read each verse slowly and prayerfully, perhaps even reading them out loud. Read each verse more than once, allowing these words written so long ago to become a prayer you offer from your own heart today.
Not what my hands have done
can save my guilty soul;
not what my toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers and sighs and tears
can bear my awful load.
Thy work alone, O Christ,
can ease this weight of sin;
thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God,
not mine, O Lord, to thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest,
and set my spirit free.
I bless the Christ of God;
I rest on love divine;
and with unfalt'ring lip and heart,
I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt;
I bury in his tomb
each thought of unbelief and fear,
each ling'ring shade of gloom.
I praise the God of grace;
I trust his truth and might;
he calls me his, I call him mine,
my God, my joy, my light.
'Tis he who saveth me,
and freely pardon gives;
I love because he loveth me,
I live because he lives.
For a closing prayer, read and reflect on this verse.
Let it lead you into heartfelt worship and gratitude:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”—Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)