Galatians 6:14
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Fanny J. Crosby was a blind poetess who produced thousands of hymns. Many of her poems were set to music by William Doane. One day he had composed a score of music and asked her to set words to his music.
After listening to the music, she immediately felt the words flow from her very heart. She had no idea how many would be blessed by the words of the hymn that we know as “Near the Cross.”
Years after the hymn had been published and sang in church after church, there was a tragic accident in New York City. A young boy was struck by a rail car and rushed to an emergency hospital. He asked the nurses if he could sing. As his words grew fainter and fainter, the staff was moved to tears by his song:
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary’s mountain.Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.2
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me.3
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o’er me.4
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.
To enjoy this week’s GloryScapes inspirational video Near the Cross please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/nearthecross in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil