Better than the Beginning

“In the beginning… God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:1,31).  “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil… Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Proverbs 16:6,8).  “Yet show I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31).

Debates today are very odd

By those who justify their sinning,
Who yet pretend there is no God
By whom all things had their beginning. 

Yet God has not been absent from

This stage of earth that He created. 
He knew the day would surely come
When men would mock the God they hated.

When God created everything,

He saw that it was very good, 
And yet He knew what sin would bring;
Yes, all of this was understood. 

The time elapsed when God and man

Enjoyed their unimpaired communion,   
But God foresaw redemption’s plan
By which He would restore their union. 

By mercy and by truth which came

Through Christ, who saw our great distress,
He gave Himself to bear our shame
And clothe us in His righteousness! 

Though man was sinless in the garden

Before he sinned against the Lord,
God now gives MORE than perfect pardon:
His righteousness on us is poured! 

O Lord, we’ve seen Your excellence

That You extend in Your salvation. 
You came to be our soul’s Defense
And drink our cup of condemnation! 

Our cloak of sin, Lord, You replace

With righteousness which You impart.
O how much better is Your grace
Than what was given at the start! 

O Lord, You’ve broken every fetter

That held us to our hopeless past.  
Your righteousness is surely better
Than sinlessness that did not last!