Photo: Desolation, Desmond Almarales, with permission 
Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane wrote ten hymns in the years between 1872-1874 in a collection called Family Treasury. From what I’ve read on the website Hymnary.org, her hymns appear in hymnbooks in at least ten languages throughout the world, and this is one of my favorites. On Good Friday, it makes the crucifixion all too real for me.
I remember singing this hymn for years on Good Friday. While it is now considered out of fashion, and I haven’t heard it in several years, the words touch my heart, so I share them with you today. May it bless your hearts and souls.
1 Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty Rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.
2 Upon the cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me:
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess,
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.
3 I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss;
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.
My Psalm 345 “Three Sad Days”
One sad day the disciples saw
Their Lord crucified, Hanging on a tree.
The next sad day, they mourned His death
Feeling bereft, mourning His absence.
Another sad day the disciples saw
The Risen Lord ascending into heaven.
Can we even fathom
The abandonment
The disillusionment
The sorrow, confusion, loneliness they felt?
Only in scripture can we learn the Plan
God conceived for them for us, and all mankind.
For our sin,
For our depravity ,
For our idolatry,
For our iniquity,
For our faithlessness ,
For our betrayal,
Jesus had to die.
For our salvation,
For our sanctification
For our redemption,
For our restoration,
He conquered death.
For our celebration,
For His elevation
For our adoration,
He rose again.
For our comfort,
For our hope
For our blessing,
He ascended to reach the whole earth,
So the Father would send our Comforter.
The Holy Spirit, our counselor, the Power
To tell the Lord’s story to all generations
While we await Master’s sure return.
And on that day, while some will mourn
His true believers will rejoice forever
His Kingdom will come
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Death, where is your sting?
Grave, where is your victory?
Christ banishes sad days,
Turns them to blessed eternity.
There will be no tears, no death, no sorrow
Eternal rest will be our home
Our debt is paid by Christ alone.
For scripture tells us believers shall be
Where streets are gold and loved ones gather.
A cloud of witnesses and elders and angels
Will join everlasting praise to the Lamb,
Victory: The Great I Am.
Three sad days were short separations
For nothing comes between us and our Lord.
Hallelujah, Hosanna, Praised by Your Name,
Easter forever,
He’s alive,
He is risen
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