When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Exploring God's Promises - Surveying The Wondrous Cross

In Genesis 13, God invites Abram to survey the land He was giving to his offspring. God told him “Look north and south, east and west, for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.” God called Abram to intimately examine the full scope of His generous gift.

It reminds me of studying a map of a dream vacation spot, eagerly tracing your finger along potential routes and sights. Or when buying a new home, walking every inch of the property, peeking in closets, scanning the horizon from the yard. We immerse ourselves in what God gives.

In the same way, we are called to prayerfully explore the breadth of Scripture. Like a sprawling landscape, the Bible waits for us to traverse and become familiar with its peaks and valleys - to navigate its verses until they map our heart. As God told Joshua: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8).

Even more so, may we survey the wondrous cross - tracing the contours of Christ's sacrifice that purchased our salvation. As Isaac Watts wrote, from the highest hill to the lowest depths, the amazing love of the cross spans the full scope of human need. May God enlarge our hearts as we explore the vast riches given to us in Scripture and Christ!

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
   On which the Prince of glory died,
   My richest gain I count but loss,
   And pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
   Save in the death of Christ my God!
   All the vain things that charm me most,
   I sacrifice them to His blood.
3. See from His head, His hands, His feet,
   Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
   Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
   Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
   That were a present far too small;
   Love so amazing, so divine,
   Demands my soul, my life, my all.