The Cross is Our Hope

"One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'" 1

Victory is Near

Cling to the cross, let not your sin,
Draw scandal from your wretchedness;
For Jesus will remember you:
Forgiving you in His kindness.

Cling to the cross, let not your wounds,
Sap all your strength and bleed your soul;
For Christ Himself will bear you up,
Bind all your wounds, and make you whole.

Cling to the cross, let not your fear,
Imprison you in deep despair;
For Christ Risen is our sure hope:
His victory beyond compare!

Cling to the cross, let not the foe,
Ensnare you with his vain deceit;
For Jesus conquers sin and death:
His vict'ry certain and complete!

With humble heart and hands secure,
Cling to the cross -- your vict'ry's sure!

(c) Paul Buis, 2000

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1. Luke 23: 39-43