Sunday Morning Devotion: Week 34
Introduction
Thank you for joining me today as we reflect together on one of the most powerful and beloved hymns on the cross of Christ: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts. Written in 1707, this hymn is often called the finest hymn in the English language, and for good reason. It invites us to stand in awe before the cross of Christ and to see there not only his agony and death but also his glory, love, and victory.
This hymn is deeply personal. It doesn’t speak in general terms about “the cross” but draws us into contemplation, when I survey the wondrous cross. The cross reveals the seriousness of our sin, the depth of Christ’s love, and the call to total devotion. Watts reminds us that the only proper response to such amazing love is to surrender our whole life to him. Today, let’s quiet our hearts before the wondrous cross, allowing its truth to humble us, transform us, and move us to worship.
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we survey your cross, we’re overwhelmed by your love. You, the Prince of Glory, humbled yourself to bear our sins. Forgive us for our pride, our boasting, and our clinging to worldly treasures. Teach us to count all things as loss compared to knowing you. May the sight of your sacrifice move us to give our whole lives, our souls, our hearts, and our strength, in gratitude and worship. Amen.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
By Isaac Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
Key Principles from this Hymn
- Before the cross, all human boasting is silenced. What once seemed like gain is revealed as loss in light of Christ’s sacrifice.
- At Calvary, sorrow and love meet. Christ bore our sins, but he did so out of divine love, wearing a crown of thorns to secure our crown of life.
- If Christ gave everything for us, then our fitting response is to give everything for him. Our devotion must be total: “my soul, my life, my all.”
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
- What does it mean for you personally to “survey” the cross?
- How does the cross humble you and challenge your pride?
- What “vain things” in your life are most difficult to surrender to Christ?
- How does the image of “sorrow and love flow mingled down” deepen your understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice?
- In what ways does the cross change how you measure success, gain, or value in life?
- How might God be calling you right now to live more fully for Christ in response to his amazing love?
- How can your life point others to the wonder and glory of the cross?
Related Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
- Galatians 6:14 – But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
- Philippians 3:7-8 – But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- Romans 5:8 – But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Mark 8:34-35 – If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Action Steps
- Take time this week to meditate on the crucifixion narratives in the Gospels. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the depth of Christ’s love.
- Identify one area of pride, possession, or self-reliance that you need to lay down at the cross. Offer it to Christ in prayer and obedience.
- Let the love of Christ shape how you serve others, forgive enemies, and give generously of your life and resources.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Merciful Savior, we thank you for the wondrous cross. Thank you that you bore our sin, our shame, and our death so that we might share in your life, righteousness, and glory. We praise you that in your sorrow we find joy, in your wounds we find healing, and in your death we find life. Accept our gratitude, Lord, not only in words but in lives fully devoted to you. May your love so amazing, so divine, move us daily to give you our soul, our life, our all. Amen.
Prayer Prompts
Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.
Petition – prayers for yourself
- My personal mission field
Help me to identify those people who make up my personal mission field.
Enable me to begin sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know you.
Empower me to disciple those who are young in their faith.
Allow me to encourage those who are struggling in their faith.
Please give me perseverance in all areas of ministry.
- Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
- Other needs
Intercession – prayers for others
- My family
- For missionaries throughout the world
- For those seeking to faithfully minister to loved ones at home
- For those who share the gospel in the inner city
- For those who bear witness to Christ in places of power
- Other needs
Quotation from Church History
“When I survey the wondrous cross of Christ, I see there the greatest wonder of all – the love of God laid bare for sinners.” (Charles Spurgeon)
Closing Thoughts
The cross is both wondrous and humbling. It strips away our pride, silences our boasting, and reveals the immeasurable love of God. At Calvary, sorrow and love flow mingled down, and the only fitting response is to offer our lives in full devotion to the One who gave everything for us.
As you reflect on this hymn, may you find yourself daily returning to the cross, surveying its beauty, remembering its power, and responding with grateful obedience. Truly, love so amazing, so divine, demands nothing less than your soul, your life, your all.
May the grace of Christ crucified, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.
Thank you for joining me today. My hope is that you were encouraged and blessed by reflecting on this hymn with me. Remember, there are other resources that come out weekly that do not go out via email. You can discover more devotionals, Bible studies, and other resources by clicking here: Walking Points. Please consider sharing this post or email with others, subscribing if you haven’t, and encouraging others to subscribe as well.
