scripture and prayer reflection
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Lyrics
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him spotless and white
I know I'm written on His heart
You plead for me
Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Colossians 3:1-3
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Revelation 5:8-10
8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Reflection
Before the Throne of God Above is a hymn that has lasted through the last 150+ years, beloved by many as a clear and powerful telling of the gospel. Written by Charitie Lees Smith in 1863, it was originally titled “The Advocate”.
As the original title implies, the focus in this hymn is on the intercessory work of Christ on our behalf. It is on this and this alone that our hope rests. Our future is certain because and only because of “our great high Priest”, his atoning death, and his perfect righteousness that allows Him to be offered as a sacrifice in our place. Because He purchased us, we are saved and cannot be taken from His hand. Because our lives no longer belong to us but are hidden with Christ, we can live in the freedom of trust. We do not trust ourselves, we trust His perfect and immeasurable power to hold us fast. Nothing can take this away from us.
Though differing from the melody originally written for this hymn, this rendition holds onto the traditional wording and message of the song, imbibing it with a different affect or mood. The mellow tone to the music presents a calm, solid grounding in the reality of our unshakeable condition before God as those covered by Christ’s blood. The repeated refrain about Christ’s completed work moves upward musically in exultation, celebrating what this reality means for our lives today and the joy that comes with that.
Take some time to sit with the truths in these scriptures, and what they mean for your life. May this calm presentation of the hymn play in the background of your mind throughout your day, grounding you in the completed work of Christ on your behalf. As anxious worries enter in, may you be able to return to this grounding place, and the sturdy hope found there.
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