Stand Amazed

Do you ever find yourself settling into a rhythm? Getting so used to something that it becomes second nature? Do you ever take things for granted? I think we all do. At the very least, I know I do.

There are times when I become so familiar with Jesus and the gospel message that I lose sight of its significance. I forget the incredible miracle that took place when Jesus brought me from death to life.

Lately, I’ve been listening to the song I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous), which beautifully captures the essence of the gospel. The first two verses go like this:

"I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner condemned, unclean.

He took my sins and my sorrows,

He made them His very own.

He bore the burden to Calvary,

He suffered and died for me."

These lyrics encapsulate the foundation of the gospel. We are all born into sin—condemned and unclean before our Creator. But Jesus, in His mercy, took the weight of that sin upon Himself. He bore it on the cross, suffering and dying in our place so that we could be reconciled to God.

Yet, what truly moves me is the chorus:

"How marvelous, how wonderful,

And my song shall ever be.

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Savior’s love for me!"

It is easy to take the cross for granted. I grew up in church, always hearing about the gospel, and sometimes, that familiarity dulls my sense of wonder. But every now and then, I have to step back and remind myself just how marvelous and wonderful God’s love truly is.

Romans 5:7-8 says:

"For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

When I reflect on the day I chose to follow Jesus—the moment when the gospel became real to me—I’m reminded of how desperately I needed Him. He is "the way, the truth, and the life."

The final verse of the song looks ahead to eternity:

"When with the ransomed in glory,

His face I at last shall see,

It will be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me."

One day, as believers, we will stand in the presence of our Savior forever. What a joy that will be!

So today, I encourage you—take a step back, and stand amazed.