The Way To The Cross Leads To God

THE WAY TO THE CROSS
LEADS TO GOD

by HELEN STEINER RICE



HE CARRIED THE CROSS TO CALVARY-
CARRIED ITS BURDEN FOR YOU AND ME.
THERE ON THE CROSS HE WAS CRUCIFIED,
AND BECAUSE HE SUFFERED AND BLED AND DIED,
WE KNOW THAT WHATEVER OUR CROSS MAY BE,
IT LEADS TO GOD AND ETERNITY.
FOR WHO CAN HOPE FOR A "CROWN OF STARS"
UNLESS IT IS EARNED WITH SUFFERING AND SCARS,
FOR HOW COULD WE FACE THE LIVING LORD
AND RIGHTFULLY CLAIM HIS PROMISED REWARD
IF WE HAVE NOT CARRIED OUR CROSS OF CARE
AND TASTED THE CUP OF BITTER DESPAIR.
LET THOSE WHO YEARN FOR THE PLEASURES OF LIFE
AND LONG TO ESCAPE ALL SUFFERING AND STRIFE
RUSH RECKLESSLY ON TO AN EMPTY GOAL
WITH NEVER A THOUGHT OF THE SPIRIT AND SOUL-
BUT IF YOU ARE SEARCHING TO FIND THE WAY
TO LIFE EVERLASTING AND ETERNAL DAY,
WITH FAITH IN YOUR HEART TAKE THE PATH THAT HE TROD,
FOR THE WAY OF THE CROSS IS THE WAY TO GOD.





JESUS SAID TO HER "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE;
HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE DIE, YET SHALL HE LIVE,
AND WHOEVER LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE.
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?"



JOHN 11:25-26







IF I SAY, "MY FOOT SLIPS,"
YOUR MERCY, O LORD,
WILL HOLD ME UP.



PSALM 94:8
NKJV



DO NOT, O LORD, WITHHOLD
YOUR MERCY FROM ME;
LET YOUR STEADFAST LOVE
AND YOUR FAITHFULNESS
KEEP ME SAFE FOREVER.



PSALM 40:11
NRSV



CERTAINLY, GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL
STAY CLOSE TO ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE,
AND I WILL REMAIN IN THE LORD'S HOUSE FOR
DAYS WITHOUT END.



PSALM 23:6
GOD'S WORD



BUT I AM LIKE A SHELTERED OLIVE TREE
PROTECTED BY THE LORD HIMSELF. I TRUST
IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOREVER AND EVER.



PSALM 52:8
TLB



I CRY OUT TO THE LORD;
I PLEAD FOR THE LORD'S MERCY.



PSALM 142:1
NLT