Sunday, September 30, 2012

Vistas in the Vigil

“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD” (Psalm 134:1,2).  “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:  and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues… And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power” (Revelation 15:5-8). 

The servants who would stand by night
Within the sanctuary
Could meditate upon the sight
That temple vistas carry.

Behold there, servants of the Lord,
The glory seen therein:
Your temple vigils have explored
Our remedy for sin!

The animals once sacrificed
Could not for sin atone;
These vistas rather point to Christ,
Now seated on His throne!

And so our vigil looks above,
And thus we lift our hands
To thank our Savior for His love
As our heart understands.

We see the tabernacle vision
Beheld in Revelation,
As angels carry out their mission
Within the Tribulation.

For judgment yet shall have its hour
When God’s wrath is expressed
Against those who oppose the power
Of Christ whom they detest. 

O Lord, we thank You that You came
To spare us from such loss!
We see the vistas of our shame
Upon Your awful cross!

We praise You, Lord, as You unveil
In temple vistas holy
Your love for us that did not fail
To justify us fully!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Preeminent Priest

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments… for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalm 133:1-3).  “Worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). 

Our unity is found in Christ,
Our great High Priest, our God and Savior,
Who for our souls was sacrificed
That we by grace might have His favor.

The ointment poured on Aaron’s head
Identified a temporal priest.
But Jesus Christ has come instead,
Replacing sacrifice and feast.

He is the Lord of all creation,
And yet He set aside His crown,
To be the Priest of our salvation:
To save our life, He laid His down.

Preeminent Priest, now far above
Those types and patterns long ago,
We thank You, Lord, with grateful love
For countless blessings You bestow.

O Lord, we find our unity,
Not only in a common theme,
But by new birth, we’re family
With every soul that You redeem!

We worship You, O Lord, and find
Delight in Your preeminence:
As our High Priest, supremely kind,
You gave Yourself in our defense!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Sweetly Sworn

LORD, remember David… The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it… This is My rest forever:  here will I dwell; for I have desired it… I will abundantly bless… I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed” (Psalm 132:1,11-17).  “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee… Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:5,8).

King David’s confidence is mine,
For God has surely heard my prayer
And given me His oath divine,
And I have sweetly rested there.

The Lord has sworn; He will not turn
From doing all He said He’ll do.
How joyfully I now discern
His oath to me is surely true!

The Lord has sworn, there’s no mistake
(He does not change, He is the same):
He’ll never leave me nor forsake
The souls that call upon His name.

He said, “This is My rest forever,”
As in my heart He chose to dwell.
There is no power that can sever
The Lord from those He saves from hell.

Ah, this forever is my rest,
That God has found His rest in me!
I hear His oath to me attest
That He will bless abundantly!

O Lord my Savior, King of kings,
There no sweeter resting place
Than in the shadow of Your wings
And in the promise of Your grace.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Acquainted with the Accuser

“My son, be wise, and make My heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth Me” (Proverbs 27:11).  “The accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night… Woe to the inhabiters of the earth… for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:10,12). 

The voice that night and day accused
Our souls deserving condemnation
Is now confronted and refused
By Christ the Captain of salvation!

The devil wanted heaven’s crown
With demons who would take his side.
But he has surely been cast down,
Humiliated by his pride.

And yet his voice has not been stilled,
Though he from heaven has been banned,
His mouth with blasphemy is filled,
And his reproach pollutes our land.

He knows his time on earth is short,
And that there’s little time to act.
So even now he will resort
To shaming those he has attacked.

We surely ought to be acquainted
With this satanic strategy:
When testimonies have been tainted
He points to our hypocrisy.

And thus he still reproaches God
When we by sin have been enticed,
Accusing us to show how flawed
The people are who trust in Christ.

Enough!  Enough!  Now hear the voice
Of God who calls us to be wise!
Let His own heart in us rejoice
To answer thus the devil’s lies!

O Lord, our days on earth are few;
So short by Your eternal measure!
May we redeem the time for You
With this one rule:  to give You pleasure!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Marks of Mercy

“If Thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?  But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared…  for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption” (Psalm 130:3-7).

Does God mark iniquities?  Surely He does!
He cannot unjustly create an exemption.
The Lord God is holy, as always He was,
Yet we have forgiveness through His full redemption!

The mark of iniquities is not ignored
By God who is holy and perfectly just,
Yet all our sins have been laid by the Lord
On Jesus our Savior in whom we may trust. 

The mark of iniquities calling for wrath
Is not overlooked, and it won’t be denied.
But God has provided the sinner a path
To flee for protection in Christ crucified!

O Lord, You’ve extended redemption complete,
And we are reminded by tokens of love
Yet found in Your side, in Your hands, and Your feet,
Displaying the marks of Your mercy above!