Behind the Music ~ I Marvel

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5

This song was so overwhelming to me that I wrote about it after I wrote it. So I posted those immediate thoughts below. This is a heavily requested and favorite song of those inside the razor wire and those on the outside as well.

When we get even the smallest glimpse of God’s love for us in sending His Son to die for our wickedness, we should marvel. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

When the bondage of sin no longer has a hold on us and we are made free, we should be astonished. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

When we realize the magnitude of His grace, we should be amazed. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

When we see that He not only saves us but changes us and then when we mess up that He still loves us and keeps us, we should be filled with wonder. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

I am still marveling at the cross of Christ.

From September 11, 2016: I wrote my 5th song yesterday…I’ve been walking around with the words I marvel in my head. Those are the only words I had prior to sitting down to write but I love the word marvel, Jesus used it, others used it. It means be filled with wonder, astonishment. The greatest thing that fills me with wonder and astonishment is the work of Christ on the cross for me, His sacrificial death, His resurrection…that’s what I marvel at. Why this perfect, Holy God would come to this cruel world, be mocked, rejected, and die a horrific death for you and for me when He really didn’t have to…He did it willingly because of His great love for us. I can’t even begin to comprehend that kind of love and when in the tiniest way I try to understand it, it overwhelms me and I weep at the thought of it. So as I wrote the lyrics to this song, I wept, I sobbed, I was overwhelmed…I hope I never get over Jesus dying for me.

I Marvel

Verse 1
The cross of calvary, You bore for me
You saved me from myself, from the enemy
You willingly took my place, You suffered, died, in disgrace
And through Your grace and mercy, You set me free

Chorus
And I marvel, at Your sacrifice
I’m filled with wonder, why You’d give Your life
For me, this sinner, why You bled and died
Your great love for me, I’m still amazed by
It astonishes me
How You saved me, how You changed me
A mystery
How You love me, how You keep me

Verse 2
To understand the cross of Christ, no one will know
God wrapped in flesh, crucified, the debt we owe
Holy Spirit, Father, Son, Almighty King, the Holy One
Died and rose again to give us hope

Verse 3
Life was given in Your glorious victory
My guilt and shame washed away in misery
You conquered darkness and the grave
What an awesome price You paid
And in You, risen Lord, gave me eternity!