Precious Prospects

“Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand… and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:42,43).  “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19).  “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). 

Though Joseph’s prospects had looked dim,

Who for a season was in prison,

There is a portrait seen in him

Of Jesus Christ that fills our vision. 

We hear the words that thrill our soul

Applied to Christ eternally

When He returns to take control

And all the nations “bow the knee!” 

It doesn’t matter who objects;

Our Lord is coming just the same.

This prospect that the fool rejects

Is heaven’s Gospel we proclaim. 

Though many thoughts may trouble us

As darkness looms before us now,

The dawn of Christ is glorious

When every knee to Him shall bow! 

The Lord has shown how it will end;

The Scripture has removed all doubt:

Our Lord from heaven shall descend

With trumpet blast and with a shout!

The dead in Christ, in glory captured,

Are gathered with the Lord before  

His living ones, who shall be raptured

To thus be with Him evermore. 

How comforting these words are here

For all who know and love our Savior! 

This prospect that our Lord draws near  

Should purge our thoughts and our behavior! 

O Lord, our hearts by You are thrilled

As You have called us to behold

The things which soon shall be fulfilled

When You return as You foretold. 

What precious prospects, Lord, we trace

Within Your Word that You display!

We preach the Gospel of Your grace

And warn the lost to not delay. 

Until the day we come to You,

Lord, by these prospects we are stirred,

And with eternity in view,

We pray for souls and preach Your Word.