Jesus Paid it All by Elvina M. Hall, 1865.

1 I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Pride is a fault so common that it is seldom recognized as a fault. But in God’s eyes, it is a sin, and is why Solomon writes, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2, ESV). Consider the giants of faith like Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and more. Each one let pride obscure their vision, and God was swift and sure to bring correction.

Case in point, Paul. Given a tremendous revelation from God, Paul writes, to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10, ESV).

We must always remember to watch and pray. Only by these means can we find strength in our weakness. Verse 2 reminds us of how powerless we were before we were saved.

2 Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]

Every human heart is like stone because of pride and a fallen sense of self-worth. Sadly, this condition is celebrated in every human culture. You did nothing to change your heart because only God can bring life to stone-cold hearts. When he does, the Spirit leads us to the truth and the hope expressed in verse 3.

3 For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. [Refrain]

At the judgment of the last day, many will pridefully claim a works-based righteousness that qualifies them for life in the Kingdom of God. But they will be unpleasantly surprised and desperately disappointed. The only way to stand before the eternal, perfectly holy God is in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The King James translation is closest to what Paul wants us to know about our righteousness. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8, KJV 1900).

4 And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]

Today, remember who has paid for all your sins, and to whom you owe a debt that you can never repay. Jesus has dressed you in his blood washed, spotless white robe of righteousness, first, because of his love for his Father, but also because of his love for you. He has washed you “white as snow.”

Have a blessed weekend and Lord’s Day. I’ll be with you with another song on Monday.

Blessings, Pastor Don.