War and Wealth

“Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain….Lo, children are… as arrows are in the hand of a mighty man… they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:1-5).  “There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.  The ransom of a man's life are his riches… A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children” (Proverbs 13:7-22).  “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). 

There is a war that children fight;

There is a wealth that poor men own. 

Though these are hidden from our sight,

In heaven they are surely known.

Our children sent into this world

Must be prepared with readied mind

To stand against the falsehood hurled: 

Their enemies will not be kind.

They fight against the dark domain  

That infiltrates our homes and schools.

The watchman surely wakes in vain

Unless our Lord supremely rules!

Yet God ordains that at the gate

Where enemies shall meet our young,

As arrows sent they shall debate

And silence the deceitful tongue.

These children thus inherit wealth

Invisible to human eyes. 

The enemy shall not by stealth

Deplete the treasure God supplies.

For what are riches in the end

Unless they can redeem a life? 

And weapons that cannot defend

Are surely worthless in the strife!

We know the grace of Jesus Christ

Who fought our battle on the cross,

Who for our souls was sacrificed

To spare us from eternal loss. 

Our Savior’s war and wealth at last

Bestow His grace and victory.

When temporary things are past,

They shall endure eternally.

O Lord, we surely see Your grace;

Your war and wealth are thus displayed:

You fought the battle in our place

And with Your life our ransom paid!

O Lord, we joyfully surrender

And worship You with thankful hearts! 

You are our Wealth and our Defender

Who never from our soul departs.