To Thy Cross I Cling
by Norline Rendall
Bible Reading: John 3:14-21
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5
I had just come home from attending the funeral service for a sweet, vibrant Christian lady. Her life simply radiated the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At the close of the services, we paused to speak with the bereaved husband. As we chatted with him, he told us how she had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage while he was helping feed her breakfast one morning.
He went on to tell us that when she had been told that she had a fatal disease and only a short time left to live, she had tearfully looked up into the face of her partner and exclaimed, ” I have so little to give Him.”
Before he could answer, from down the hospital hall on someone’s radio or television a soloist burst forth singing, ” Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to thy Cross I cling.” She was comforted, happy in the knowledge that Jesus was all she needed.
It isn’t our great efforts or our industrious ” busyness” in the Lord’s work that guarantees us a home in heaven. Living for the Lord and doing His work are very necessary aspects of being a Christian, but they don’t bring us salvation. Only as we trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross can we face death triumphantly.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands:
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy Cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
Augustus M Toplady
“To Thy Cross I Cling” is from: Norline Rendall’s book – Just a Taste of Honey. Moody Press – copyright 1975 – used with permission