“In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” ELW 324
Devotion
In the cross of Christ I glory,
tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time.
All the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o'ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me;
lo, it glows with peace and joy.
When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds more luster to the day.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure,
joys that through all time abide.
After a week of Scripture readings that call us to faithful action (and pronounce judgment on the complacent), it is perhaps important to hear also that we can still be confident in God's work on the cross. Salvation is not based on our ability to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, nor does it waver because we stumble. On the contrary, when we are shaky, God still stands firmly alongside us.
This hymn carries the cross ahead of us, through the "woes of life" when our hopes fall flat and our hearts are burdened with worry, and when all is well and the "sun of bliss is beaming." In faith, both our bad days and our good days "through the cross are sanctified"—our days belong to God just as we belong to God.
Prayer
God-with-us, fill me with peace that knows no measure and joys that abide through all time. As I see your love poured out for me on the cross, may your unchanging grace give me confidence to live my faith. Amen.