The God Pause Daily Devotion in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Saturday, 17 June 2017

The God Pause Daily Devotion in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Saturday, 17 June 2017
"Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" (ELW 335)
"Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" (ELW 335)
1. Jesus, keep me near the cross,
there's a precious fountain;
free to all, a healing stream
flows from Calv'ry's mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
be my glory ever;
till my ransomed soul shall find
rest beyond the river.
2. Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me.

Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
be my glory ever;
till my ransomed soul shall find
rest beyond the river.
3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o'er me.

Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
be my glory ever;
till my ransomed soul shall find
rest beyond the river.
4. Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.

Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross
be my glory ever;
till my ransomed soul shall find
rest beyond the river.
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My friend Larry loved to talk about his great-great aunt Fanny Crosby. He had done research projects on hundreds of the unpublished poems left among her papers. During her life, Fanny wrote more than 8,000 poems, many of which have been set to music and sung among our favorite hymns. She understood something about keeping near the cross and yearning to be in the presence of Jesus. It is said that Fanny--who was blind from early childhood--was asked, "Would you like to regain your sight?" She replied, "Now in my old age, I'll stay blind so that the first thing I see when I die will be the glory of my savior's face." Her deep faith speaks through this hymn, so that, as the song says, we too may know that "near the cross, love and mercy find me."
Precious Lord, keep me near the cross so that I might feel your healing grace. Preserve my ransomed soul with hope and trust until at last I see the glory of your face. Amen.
Betsy Dartt, '81
Pastor, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Spring Valley, Minn.
-------The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue

St. Paul, Minnesota| 55108< United States
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