Resurrection

O God of my exodus,
Great was the joy of Israel’s sons 
      when Egypt died upon the shore,
Far greater the joy
     when the redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.
Jesus strides forth as the victor,
    conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might;
He bursts the bands of death, 
      tramples the powers of darkness down, 
     and lives for ever.
He, my gracious surety, 
      apprehended for payment of my debt, 
      comes forth from the prison house of the grave 
      free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death. 
Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted, 
     that the claims of justice are satisfied, 
     that the devil’s sceptre is shivered,     
that his wrongful throne is levelled.
Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in him I rose,
     in his life I live, in his victor I triumph,
     in his ascension I shall be glorified.
Adorable redeemer,
     thou who wast lifted up upon a cross
     art ascended to highest heaven.
Thou, who as man of sorrows wast crowned with thorns, 
      art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.
Once, no shame more deep than thine,
     no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.
Now, no exaltation more high, 
      no life more glorious, no advocate more effective. 
Thou art in the triumph car leading captive thine enemies behind thee.
What more could be done than thou has done!
     Thy death is my life, thy resurrection my peace,
     thy ascension my hope, thy prayers my comfort.

 A prayer from The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett

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