By Mercy And Grace

 In a way, this song is a synopsis of many other songs that I’ve written, as a lot of the lines are actually taken from them. I wanted to write a song about this journey that began when I made a trip to the cross of Calvary, where Jesus saved my soul and set my feet on a new path.

 

©Deborah Bolack 2007

Pianist Susan. Carlson

Singers Brian & Deborah Bolack

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Along this journey I’ve come through some valleys,

and I’ve stood on some mountain peaks.

I’ve been led beside the still waters,

and lain down in pastures green,

Yet I’ve struggled up a rocky path,

'til I finally gave Jesus my load,

then been lifted up on eagles wings,

as the world disappeared down below.

~

But the trip I took to Calvary 

is where this journey began,

and though sometimes I lose my way,

Jesus always knows just where I am,

and by mercy and grace, I’ll finish my race,

knowing I’m safe in his hand.

~

I’ve had my share of the wilderness wanderings,

and I’ve camped by the river’s edge.

When I stepped out into the water,

Jesus took my hand and led.

Though I’ve stumbled through some fog and mist,

I’ve found shelter from many a storm.

And I’ve watched God roll the clouds away,

as the sun broke through in the morn.

~

But the trip I took to Calvary 

is where this journey began,

and though sometimes I lose my way,

Jesus always knows just where I am,

and by mercy and grace, I’ll finish my race,

knowing I’m safe in his hand.

~

Only by his mercy and grace I stand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 This road from Calvary to Glory truly is an amazing journey, and many have travelled this path before me. Much like them, I’ve encountered the wilderness and I’ve come to some river crossings. Sometimes I seem to be trudging along a dusty trail and other times the Lord leads me beside still waters and through green pastures. Although the Lord has given me some mountain top experiences, they’re not a regular part of daily life. Most of my journey has been spent just walking down the road, trying to follow the direction the Lord is leading. Now and then I’ve stumbled when I’ve come to a steep hill or a rocky path, but when I reached out to Jesus I was able to keep on going, following the upward way that my Lord has set before me.

 Then there are the valleys. It seems that the Lord has to bring me through a valley before I can reach a mountain peak. Maybe it’s because coming through the valley makes me appreciate the mountain so much more. Those valleys come in many different forms; from wayward children to health problems, or financial struggles. Sometimes the circumstances that have taken me into the valley were out of my control, but often I end up there due to my own choices.

 The surprising thing about valleys is that God uses them to teach me, so they aren’t a completely negative experience. In fact I’ve come to realize that if I’m truly searching, I’ll find a river of living water in that valley.

 Some of the most memorable parts of the journey are the river crossings, such as the times when the Lord has brought us as a family to the water’s edge, and asked us to step out in faith and follow him. God parts the waters and more often than not we find ourselves on one of those mountain peaks, praising the Lord for his amazing grace and goodness. It’s only by mercy and grace that I can make my way along this journey, and one day finish my race. Amen!

Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Isaiah 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against a wall.

Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreading of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

Psalm 139:7,8b Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence….behold, thou art there.

John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.