Page 18 - The Wondrous Cross - CD Booklet

11. How Great a God
This hymn is also contemporary and written by Mark Chambers, who like me,
is a member of Dundonald Church. Mark is a keen hymn writer and has written
a number of hymns and worship songs for Dundonald Church. The piece began
with the tune this time and Mark kindly offered to write a hymn text for it. The
words capture something of the wonder he feels for his God. He takes us on a
journey through our salvation experience. The clear way God has taken all the
initiative in bringing us back to Him – his death on the cross, his seeking us out,
him paying the price for our sins. The third verse relates to our life as a Christian
- the fact we fail but God is always there to pick us up.
The final verse is the certain hope we have in being accepted into heaven, to hear
the words from Our Saviour “My Own”. What a joy that will be! In Mark’s own
words – “It will reflect the reality that I have been made by Him, saved by Him,
kept by Him, and finally glorified by Him, and to hear Him exult over his children
will be one of the most marvellous of our experiences in eternity”.
The tune is congregational in nature. I have arranged it for brass band quintet
which fits the feel of the piece. The first two verses are unison. The third has a
more reflective tone, choir a cappella, as we are reminded that God does not
forsake us when we go astray. The final verse is full of joy at our knowing that our
journey’s end is secure and we will be with our God praising Him together with
the salvation chorus!