Jesus, Thank You

This is one of my current favorite songs (from this album, which is actually full of beautiful Gospel-centered songs) that I've been playing over and over again. Anyway, until I have time to write an actual post, I thought I'd share these lyrics:

Jesus, Thank You
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

As it is written: "None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one." Romans 3: 10-12

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

'Tis So Sweet

I was listening to my Keith and Kristyn Getty Pandora station earlier, and Phillips, Craig, and Dean's version of "'Tis So sweet" came on. I've grown up hearing this song, and it probably ranks among my favorite hymns (though, granted, I have a rather long list of "favorites"). I love the lyrics, I love the tune, and today I discovered that I particularly like PC&D's rendition. However, until today I hadn't given much of a thought to the background of the hymn, i.e. the circumstances that led to its being written. I googled the hymnwriter, Louisa Stead, and discovered this:

Louisa Stead and her husband were relaxing with their four-year-old daughter on a Long Island beach when they heard a desperate child's cry.

A boy was drowning, and Louisa's husband tried to rescue him.

In the process, however, the boy pulled Mr. Stead under the water, and both drowned as Louisa and her daughter watched.

Louisa Stead was left with no means of support except the Lord. She and her daughter experienced dire poverty. One morning, when she had neither funds nor food for the day, she opened the front door and found that someone had left food and money on her doorstep. That day she wrote this hymn.

Tis So Sweet

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His word
Just to rest upon his promise
Just to know, "thus saith the Lord"

Yes tis sweet to trust in Jesus
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest and joy and peace

Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that Thou art with me
Wilt be with me to the end
—Louisa Stead

What an amazing testimony to God's grace and the joy that comes in knowing Him. May I, likewise, "learn to trust Him: and know that He is "with me, wilt be with me to the end."