Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Written by: April J. Buchanan

Oh, what a terrible wretch am I. What mercy could possibly be shown to one such as me? My soul is impoverished and wicked, and my sins are many. Oh, they are many indeed.

Where may I rest my head? It seems that just as I think I might find hope, I am seized once more by despair. Yet I cling to it, for it shows me rightly what I am. It testifies truly concerning me, and I agree with its judgment. I find no comfort, no hope, as I look so deeply upon my sin. All I see is this wretch staring back at me.

Despair. Woe. Misery. They have consumed me. My soul stands arrested by their judgments. I find myself exactly where I belong.

Pass on by, traveler. Look not upon me. I cannot bear your mercies and pleadings. My soul is vexed and persuaded that this darkness is its rightful dwelling place.

The miserable wretch who sees his sin rightly, yet will not look upon Christ, has made his misery and chains his welcome lot. He dares not hear the words of life, the saving power of the gospel of grace, for freedom, life, and peace with God would strip from him the chains he is not only held by but now clings to.

Oh dear man, it is not enough to hear of your wretched state and accept it as your lot in life. You may confess how filthy a sinner you are. You may even agree with every warning spoken by the evangelist. Yet will you close your ears to his proclamation of grace? Grace. Amazing grace.

Do you despise the Beloved? Does His grace so offend you? Will you not hear His call and flee from your sin? Will you not fly to Him in saving faith? Will you not cast off your chains and throw yourself upon His mercy, finding Him faithful and gracious, mighty and willing to save your wretched soul?

Think you greater of your sins than so great a Savior? Oh wretched soul, looking so long upon your sin, will you not turn and behold Christ? Will you not hear and fly to Him who today saves and tomorrow shall judge?

Today. Today is the day of salvation. Turn. Hear. Fly to Him while you may.

For when your soul goes down to the grave, it shall find not rest but the fearful expectation of judgment. Perhaps you know this. Perhaps you have dwelt so long upon your sins that you can bear nothing but terror. In some dreadful way your soul has become acquainted with despair and has learned to love its company.

Yet despair was never meant to be your master. Conviction was never intended to be your resting place. The knowledge of your sin was given that it might drive you to Christ, not keep you from Him.

Hear! Will you not hear Him? Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Turn. Fly to Christ that you may be saved.

Your sins are not too many. Your guilt is not too great. You think far too highly of your sin and far too little of your Savior.

Look to Christ. Will you not look upon Him and find Him holy, beautiful, merciful, and willing to save your wretched soul? Will you not behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? Will you not see in Him a Savior greater than all your guilt, stronger than all your chains, and richer than all your poverty?

Look unto Him and live. Grace. Grace. Amazing grace.