My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Himself for me
And paid the price
Of all my sin at Calvary.
[chorus]
For me He died;
For me He lives,
And everlasting life
And light He freely gives.
No merit of my own
His anger to suppress
My only hope is found
In Jesus’ righteousness
[chorus]
And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne
He shows His wounded hands
And names me as His own.
[chorus]
His grace has planned it all
‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love
And Christ receive.
[chorus]
Sometimes we need to be reminded that our own efforts have no bearing in our eternal life. Yes, it's not what we do or did, but what Christ did for us - For Me, He Died For Me He Lives, what a glorious promise. My striving in this world needs to be not for me, not to please God, but simply a reflection of that fact He's actually done it all, and I'm simply the tool for his Glory. Jesus paid the price of my sin at Calvary, I am debt free with God on Jesus behalf. How glorious.
A few years ago we were having problems with our car, the transmission had gone, and now other things were going bad. Our son at the time was having a lot of medical issues, and we needed a reliable vehicle. One Saturday we received a phone call from a car dealership who asked us to come down and pick up a car that someone had purchased for us... We were shocked, someone knew our need, Yes God knew our needs. When we arrived at the dealership I was expecting to get a used run-down car, but was so happy to get that, it was going to be a blessing if it ran. The sales manager sat us down in his office and told us that he had never had anything like this before, a couple had purchased a car in our name, simply given the dealership a blank check. They were to remain anonymous, but the vehicle was paid in full and ours to take. He told us that they had selected a few vehicles for us to choose from, my expectations were some old cars, but still so thankful.
As we walked out of the dealership office, the sales manager was leading us to the 'New Car' lot, not the used car lot... There must have been a mistake, I'm worthy of a used car, but not of a new car. He pointed us to the most expensive cars on the lot, A Suburban, a Tahoe and an Equinox, fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. This is a mistake, I'm not worthy of these cars, but the sales manager assured me, there was no mistake. This was a limited and low demonstration of Gods Grace.
Jesus Gave it all, he Gave his life, For Me! I should be placed under the wrath of God, my penalty is much to great. I've violated His law over and over again, without even thinking about it. How many times have I not placed Him first in my mind, how many times have I used His Name carelessly, How many times have I created idols things that I place in value over God, How many times have I not honoured Him in a time of rest. I am a child of wrath among a people of wrath, I deserve nothing.
My hope is in the Lord, He Gave Himself for Me and paid the debt of all my sin on Calvary. What a blessing it is not to pay a monthly car payment, but more than that, what a blessing it is not to pay penitence for my violations of God's law. The books have been settled, not just for now, but eternally.
So what is my response? What should I do? I don't have to do anything, it's Done! The funny thing is... I want to do anything for Him, I'll mop the bathroom at church, I'll help people in need. I'm like a homeless person who gets a life saving meal, I don't just eat, I go and tell my friends and family, I drag people in because I know they need it also, I write about it, I sing about it, I live it each and every day! I'm willing to give it all away for Him because my hope isn't on Me... My Hope is in the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria
