Sunday, March 31
Note: Writers on Sundays were asked to address the power of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in their lives.
“How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me – things so undeserved, yet you give to prove your love for me? The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to thee.”
Have you ever felt like that? Grateful that despite my shortcomings, regardless of poor choices I have made in my life, there is a God who keeps blessing me in ways I could never have imagined. “Things so undeserved?” That’s grace!
In Philip Yancey’s book, What’s So Amazing about Grace (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), he writes that “Christianity’s unique contribution among the world’s religions is grace…only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional…Grace means that there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less.”
The first words of this devotional begin with the song “My Tribute,” the middle section of which is found on page 39 in Chalice Hymnal: “To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things you have done. With his blood Christ has saved me; with your power you have raised me; to God be the glory for the things you have done.” “My Tribute” was composed by Andraé Crouch (1942-2015), an African-American pioneer of contemporary gospel music.
The last part of the song is as follows: “Just let me live my life — let it be pleasing, Lord, to thee; and should I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary.” It reminds me of Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Prayer: Lord, please guide my thoughts and actions today to better reflect Christ’s example. Amen.
Valeria Foster