Sunday Hymn - In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross

I've found that it is easy for me to get comfortable with what I know and what works for me. Whether it be what I read, the way I operate from day to day, or the meals I cook, familiarity often wins over a new option. This weekend I especially thought about this truth in respect to worship. I have, over the past 3 1/2 years, become familiar with the hymns that we sing at RUF and in church. And there is nothing wrong with that: the songs are deep, the attitude is not self-focused, and the lyrics are taken from scripture, the depths of which are only matched by the vastness of the Spirit.
This is a new song that we sang (and I had the privilege of playing) in church this morning. Like the hymns I've grown so close to, it has depth and speaks truth. God sings over us. God is more than enough for us. Christ is worthy to receive all of our honor and praise. I love this song.
Unfortunately, had our pastor not been the one to pick this, it probably would have gone unnoticed by me. Even if I had heard it, I probably would have listened first to the style of music, not taken time to actually hear the truths that are being proclaimed. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, and this is more a reminder to me than an accusation for anyone else, we should never get too comfortable with the songs, and more generally the patterns, of our lives: God is at work. His truth doesn't change, but there are new ways that it can be expressed. This, I think, is one of them:


In the shadow of the glorious cross,
Compelled by grace to cast my lot,
I'll discard the loss and bear your name:
Forsaking all for your own fame.

Your hymn of grace sung over me,
Abounding forth in glorious streams,
My thirst is quenched by you my Lord,
Sustained am I, redeemed, restored.
Sustained am I, redeemed, restored.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

When death's dark shadow's at my feet,
When I am plagued by unbelief,
You place my hands into your side:
By precious blood identified.
By precious blood identified.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

These crowns I've clenched with fisted hands,
I cast them down before the throne
Of Christ my God, the worthy lamb,
Christ crucified, the great I AM.
Christ crucified, the great I AM.
Christ crucified, the great I AM.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!