Seize the Moment – Day 389

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10
Apr '21

Seize the Moment – Day 389

Posted on Apr 10, 2021 by Ken Durham in Devotions, General |

10
Apr '21

Today’s hymn focus will be “The Old Rugged Cross”

 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)         

 

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live

to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

 

Eight years after beginning his Christian ministry in the ranks of the Salvation Army, George Bennard was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church and was highly esteemed as an evangelist.

 

He began writing the hymn in 1912 after returning home following a revival. His favorite verse was John 3:16, and he said he felt the words leave the printed page and act out the meaning of redemption, realizing that the cross was more than just a religious symbol, but rather the very heart of the gospel.

 

The words and the melody began to flow from his heart. He sent the manuscript to Charles Gabriel who finished composing the rest of the harmonies, and it was sang as a duet on January 12, 1913 with Bennard and his revival partner, Ed E. Mieras, to close out the revival services.

 

          So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies as last I lay down

          I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown

 

Wake up and realize the significance of the cross and what it means in not only cleansing us of our sins, but also providing the promise of healing through His sacrifice.

 
 
 
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
 
 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
 
If you would like to hear the song click on the link below:
 

 

The Old Rugged Cross

 
1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
 
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
 
2
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]
 
3
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]
 
4
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. [Refrain]
 

^