Beneath Your Cross

Beneath your cross, Lord Jesus, I pledge to take my stand—

The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

O safe and happy shelter! O refuge tried and sweet!

O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!

As to the exiled patriarch that wondrous dream was giv’n,

So seems your cross, O Lord, to me— a ladder up to Heav’n.

Not so, O Lord, not this the boon I ask from you;

But for your strength to do the work you've given me to do. 

No faithful servant one who seeks for rest before,

Who faints before the day is done, and the evening work is o’er.

I ask a living faith within me to abide;

I ask you for a holy heart, and a spirit purified;

Two willing hands to serve, a patient mind to bear,

And hallowed, earnest lips to speak for you, Lord, everywhere.

(from the hymn, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus," by Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane, slightly revised and updated; photo by Jametlene Reskp via unsplash.com)