Of all the songs I have written, “At the Foot of the Cross” is the most important one of all.
During uncertain and even fearful times like these, the safest place we can be is at the foot of the cross.
The great evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, gave this wonderful illustration in a sermon in the 1800's. Mr. Moody stated the following:
“Away out on the frontier of our country, out on the prairies, where men sometimes go to hunt or for other purposes, the grass in the dry seasons sometimes catches fire, and you will see the flames rolling over the western desert faster than any fleet (swift) horse can run. Now what do the men do? They know it is sure death unless they can make some escape. They would try to run away perhaps if they had fleet horses. But they can't, that fire goes faster than the fleetest horse can run.
What do they do? Why, they just take a match and they light the grass from it, and away it burns, and then they get into that burnt district. The fire comes on, and there they stand perfectly secure—nothing to fear. Why? Because the fire has burned all there is to burn. Take your stand there on Mount Calvary.”
At the Foot of the Cross
Words & Music by Lawrence Chewning & Ray Boltz
They were watching from a distance
And they would not take their eyes from You
You were bleeding
They were weeping
Faithful sisters
They had followed You
They did not understand
They could not see
They were mourning their loss
And the sky turned black as the earth turned red
At the foot of the cross
He was standing near Your mother
They were so close they could hear You sighing
And all around them angry voices pierced the darkness
And You were dying
But they would not leave
They lingered there
No matter the cost
They were staying
They were praying
At the foot of the cross
Keep me near the cross
Near the cross
May I never stray so far
That I cannot see
What flowed down to me
At the foot of the cross
Now I’m standing in Your presence
And I cannot take my eyes from You
You have risen
I’m forgiven
Precious Savior
Oh, I worship You
I’m not looking back
I’ve heard Your voice
I’m staying here
I’ve made my choice
Oh, it’s real
Now I kneel
At the foot of the cross
Keep me near the cross
Near the cross
May I never stray so far
That I cannot see what flowed down to me
At the foot of the cross
Jesus, keep me near the cross
Near the cross
May I never stray so far
That I cannot see
What flowed down to me
At the foot of the cross
Copyrighted 1996 by Shepherd Music (ASCAP)