The Life Look

O God,
We bless you for the happy moment when we first saw your law fulfilled in Christ,
wrath appeased, death destroyed,
sin forgiven, our souls saved.

Ever since, you have been faithful to us:
daily have we proved the power of Jesus’ blood,
daily have we known the strength of the Spirit, our teacher, director, sanctifier.

We want no other rock to build upon than that we have,
desire no other hope than that of gospel truth,
need no other look than that which gazes on the cross.

Forgive us if we have tried to add anything to the one foundation,
if we have unconsciously relied upon our knowledge,
experience, deeds, and not seen them as filthy rags,
if we have attempted to complete what is perfect in Christ;

May our cry be always, Only Jesus! only Jesus!
In him is freedom from condemnation,
fullness in his righteousness,
eternal vitality in his given life,
everlasting union in fellowship with him;
In him we have all that we can hold;
enlarge us to take in more.

If we backslide,
let us like Peter weep bitterly and return to him;
If we are tempted, and have no wit,
give us strength enough to trust in him;
If we are weak,
may we faint upon his bosom of eternal love;
If in extremity,
let us feel that he can deliver us;
If driven to the verge of hope and to the pit of despair,
grant us grace to fall into his arms.

O God, hear us, do for us more
than we ask, think, or dream.

Amen.

–adapted from “The Life Look” (The Valley of Vision) © 1975 The Banner of Truth Trust