A few years ago, I heard a song that really touched my heart. I read these two verses in the Old Testament book of Nahum and thought of the grace of God. The prophet Nahum wrote, “Who can stand before His indignation? And who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him. The LORD is good, a strong-hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:6-7).
The words of the song are: Condemned to die on a cross for crimes he had done. He was guilty, everyone could see. But his destiny was changed as he looked at Christ and said, “When Your kingdom comes, remember me.” In Paradise that day he stood, just like the Lord said he would; surrounded by those who had gone before. One said, “Friend how do you come? What are the deeds you have done?” With tears in his eyes, I can hear him reply; “There are no merits to my name … and no works that I can claim … He that brought me here, told me to say …” I have come by the way of the cross; I have come by the way of the cross; it is nothing I have done, it’s the blood of God’s own Son. I have come by the way of the cross.
I had nothing to claim, but my guilt and my shame … hopelessly lost, I could not find my way … until His glorious light of love showed down on me. His mercy washed all my sin away. What He did for me that day, was the price I know He paid … by His grace I too can say … I have come by the way of the cross; it is nothing I have done, it’s the blood of God’s own Son.
I see millions gathered round the throne from every kindred and tongue. Those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Every person casting down their crowns at His feet. This will be their song … we have come by the way of the cross. Today is a good day to remember that you cannot do one thing to EARN the favor of God. That grace is given without any merit on your part! What a blessing to know that God paid my debt, not my own efforts! I am thankful that even the Old Testament speaks to the grace of God. You see, it has never been about us reaching up to Him but has always been about Him and His reaching out to us. Nahum understood it, and we should too. Take time to thank God today for saving your soul. He is worthy of our praise!