Revere and Rejoice

"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him.... Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted" (Psalm 89:7,15,16).

We hold You, Lord, in reverence,
As we approach Your throne.
We tremble at the evidence
That You are God alone!

We love You, Lord, and we rejoice
To hear the sound of peace.
That joyful sound is Your own voice,
That makes our joy increase.

We thank You, Lord, for righteousness
That You for us procured.
The awful price could be no less
Than Calvary endured!

We worship You with fear and joy
And thus we seek Your face.
The theme of worship we employ
Is still amazing grace!

Rationale of our Rhetoric

"And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

It is a valid question
The Lord is asking us:
Its obvious suggestion
Exposes whom we trust.

Why do we call Jesus Lord,
But do not what He said?
Do we think we can afford
To trust ourselves instead?

Do we think we have a plan
Superior to His?
How foolish is the mind of man!
How arrogant it is!

Lord, save us from the foolishness
That does not what You say:
With lips that outwardly confess,
But hearts that don't obey.

Blindness isn't Bliss

"Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?" (Luke 6:39).

Does it not seem somewhat odd
That those least qualified
Are chosen, rather than our God,
To lead us and to guide?

Although the lost are now content
To heed the blind man's voice,
The day approaches of lament
When they'll regret their choice.

The blind will fall into the ditch
With those that they have led.
Yet God still pleads with souls to switch,
And follow Christ instead.

What boundless treasures we may find
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
That those who willfully are blind
Have totally ignored!

Harness my Heart

"Unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart" (Psalm 86:11,12). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Lord, You know how hard to tame
My wayward heart can often be.
Unite my heart to fear Your name
For only then shall I be free.

So let the harness of Your fear
And the bridle of Your love
Direct affections that will steer
My heart toward the things above.

So whether peace or whether strife,
Whether joy or whether pain,
Lord, let the mixture of this life,
All the more my heart constrain.

Unite my heart to give You praise!
Harness my heart to love You more!
Lord, fix my heart upon Your ways,
And my straying heart, restore!

Anticipating His Answer

"Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?.... I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.... Righteousness shall go before Him, and shall set us in the way of His steps" (Psalm 85:8,13). "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6). "He [Jesus] said unto him, Follow Me" (Luke 5:27).

Will You not revive the weak,
That they may rejoice in You?
I will hear what God will speak
And I will watch what God will do.

He speaks His peace and calms our soul;
He shows the cross on which He died,
Where mercy makes the sinner whole
And righteousness is satisfied.

What words of grace our Lord conveys
To sinners who deserve His wrath!
He sets us in His perfect ways
And guides us in His footsteps' path.

Lord, we've heard Your words of peace,
And You have answered, "Follow Me."
May our revival thus increase
In Your footsteps faithfully.

Weeping World

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee... who passing through the valley of Baca (weeping) make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.... the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He uphold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:5-7,11).

The lost who weep are surely right
That there is cause to weep.
One wonders how they sleep at night
Or sanity can keep!

The valley comes, it surely must,
Where death confronts them all.
The great things they pursued in lust,
Now seem so vain and small.

We're sent into this weeping world
Equipped with grace and glory.
With banners of God's love unfurled,
We tell redemption's story.

We have the fountainhead of joy
That fills the driest well!
The Gospel message we employ
Will save a soul from hell!

We go from strength to strength from God,
Like rain that fills the pools,
That overruns and sheds abroad
His love where Jesus rules.

Come before your Lord each day,
Then go to those with tears
To share through Christ the only way
Of joy for endless years.

Why Not Now?

"Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: NOW then do it" (2 Samuel 3:17,18). "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you" (Proverbs 1:22,23). "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me... to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18,19). "Behold, NOW is the accepted time" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

If God is calling you to turn,
And His Spirit shows you how,
Since He bids you come and learn,
Why not therefore do it now?

If God has warned you not to wait
Why would you then still allow
Yourself to thus procrastinate?
Why not therefore do it now?

If God has given you a gift
To serve in love and thus endow
His grace to others you may lift,
Why not therefore do it now?

If God has spoken to your heart
To place your hand upon the plow,
What has hindered you to start?
Why not therefore do it now?

If God exalts our Savior's name,
And every knee shall surely bow,
Why then wait to do the same?
Why not therefore do it now?

Called for a Cause

"Defend the poor and the fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3,4). "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8,9). "Is there not a cause?" (1 Samuel 17:29). "For this cause came I unto this hour" (John 12:27).

For the cause of the Gospel, do not be unfeeling;
The poor, the afflicted, and needy all cry.
The poor need God's hope, the afflicted His healing
The needy are helplessly destined to die.

Yes, there are causes abounding today;
Be careful, however, to keep this in mind:
That temporal causes shall all pass away;
Eternity comes and shall leave them behind.

For the cause of the Gospel, be ready to plead;
Deliver the perishing, sparing no cost.
Christ has the riches and healing they need.
Christ is hope and the help of the lost.

Hearken and Hunger

"Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee... if thou wilt hearken unto Me.... Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But My people would not hearken to My voice, and Israel would none of Me" (Psalm 81:8-11).

Hearken to God, and you'll hear the Lord speak.
Hunger for God, and you'll long for His will.
Open your heart; He rewards those who seek.
Open your mouth; He has promised to fill.

How foolish the heart that never has hearkened!
How empty the spirit with no appetite!
How blind are the eyes that always are darkened,
Loving the darkness, and hating the light!

Laughter of the Lost

"Our enemies laugh among themselves" (Psalm 80:6). "If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest" (Proverbs 29:9). "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts... they willingly are ignorant" (2 Peter 3:3,5).

There is a laughter of the lost
That scoffs with arrogance.
They do not stop to count the cost
Of willful ignorance.

Though evidence is limitless
In all of God's creation,
Yet they labor to suppress
God's open revelation.

They scorn the truth, they laugh, they smirk,
And follow their own lust.
And sad to say, it seems to work
On those who blindly trust.

There is but one escape today
From this insanity.
The Gospel still is on display
With truth that make us free.

Escape from scornful, mindless mirth!
Now come to God and reason!
You haven't much time left on earth;
Come now! This is the season!

Seek and See

Memorial Day (Observed)

"They that seek the Lord understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5). "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon... waiting for the consolation of Israel.... And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus... he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have the seen Thy salvation" (Luke 2:25-29). "He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

My eyes can see salvation
In Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is God's revelation;
The seeker's great reward.

As Simeon rejoiced to see
The Savior God had brought,
God has shown Him faithfully
To all those who have sought.

So may Christ remove the scales
That make our eyes so dim,
To seek and see that all else pales
Compared to life in Him.

Shaping a Shepherd

"[God] made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And He led them on safely, so that they feared not.... He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: so he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands" (Psalm 78:52,53,70,72). "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:23).

God made His own people to go forth like sheep,
And guided them all like a flock.
He led them on safely, through desert and deep,
Preserving them all through their walk.

God gave them a shepherd, king David by name,
That they might be properly fed.
Shaped with integrity, he thus became
A man whom the heart of God led.

God gave us a Shepherd, our Lord and our Savior,
Who laid down His life for our souls.
He still is the Model of love and behavior
For hearts and for hands He controls.

Encountering Encouragement

"Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.... But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:4,6).

When I've run out of power to weep,
When my troubles have robbed me of sleep,
When I'm sinking in waters too deep,
I'll encourage myself in the Lord.

When I've done everything I can do,
When my friends are fair-weather and few,
When my foes are convinced I am through,
I'll encourage myself in the Lord.

When I finally come to the place
Where I truly am seeking God's face,
When my soul is restored by His grace,
I'll encourage myself in the Lord.

Preoccupied with Praise

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.... For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:46-50).

I haven't much time for trivial chatter;
I'm otherwise preoccupied.
You're welcome to join my soul in this matter,
That God may be more magnified.

For He that is mighty in love became weak,
And thus by grace made me whole.
And He that is rich became poor to seek,
To save, and to ransom my soul.

Let us exalt Him for all He has done;
He surely deserves all our praise!
None of His promises failed, not one,
As history plainly displays.

Prophetic Promotion

"Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge. He putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:6,7). "A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief" (Proverbs 24:16). "Then said Samuel.... and the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even unto David" (1 Samuel 28:26,17).

Promotion comes from God alone
In His own time and place.
He pulls the haughty from his throne,
And clothes him in disgrace.

Promotion comes by God's command,
And He exalts the humble.
He sets them up, He holds their hand,
And lifts them when they stumble.

Promotion comes not from the east,
Nor from the west or south,
But God lifts those esteemed the least,
And shuts the boaster's mouth.

Pleading His Plan

"Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause" (Psalm 74:22). "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.... And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them" (Mark 16:15,20).

Arise, O God, and plead Your cause.
There is no help in mortal man;
There is no hope in manmade laws,
There is no heart to plead your plan.

Arise, O God, and work with us
With help, and hope, and heart to preach,
For by Your grace the Gospel thus
Shall then fulfill its global reach.

Uplifting Upbraiding

"So foolish was I, and ignorant.... Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Psalm 73:22-24). "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth?" (Proverbs 22:20-21). "Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen" (Mark 16:14).

So foolish, Lord, I surely know
My heart can often be;
And still in tenderness you show
The truth that makes me free.

Thank you, Lord, that You uplift
With counsels that are true.
Your prompt upbraiding is a gift
That keeps me close to You.

Dominion Deferred

"He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass.... He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before Him; and His enemies shall lick the dust.... Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him" (Psalm 72:8-11). "And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mark 15:17,18).

Our Lord shall have dominion
In every place on earth,
Though popular opinion
Has mocked our Savior's worth.

The crown upon His head
Shall not be made of thorn;
A sovereign crown instead
By Jesus shall be worn.

Though opposition must
Object to His return,
His foes shall lick the dust,
And shall no longer spurn.

Though dominion is deferred,
Yet as rain comes down on grass,
Our Lord shall keep His word,
And it all shall come to pass.

Gracefully Gray

"Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is come" (Psalm 71:18). "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.... The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head" (Proverbs 16:31 20:29).

The glory of youth is their strength,
Unless it is squandered away.
The beauty of old age the length
Of time with the Lord when we're gray.

So whether we're young or we're old,
Let this be our cause every hour:
To find us increasingly bold
To tell of our Lord's saving power.

Purifying Prayer

"Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified" (Psalm 70:4). "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38).

Let all those who love the Savior
And rejoice in His salvation,
Watch and pray lest their behavior
Be corrupted by temptation.

Let our lives be purified
By this constant rule we heed:
Let the Lord be magnified
In each thought, each word, and deed.

And since we know the flesh is weak,
Though our spirits may be strong,
Let us pray and thereby seek
Our Lord to keep us from all wrong.

Song for the Savior

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30). "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

Praise the name of God in song,
For all that He has done.
His name is like a tower strong
To which we safely run.

Praise the name of Jesus Christ,
Proclaim His reputation,
Who willingly was sacrificed
To purchase our salvation.

Sing anew the glories of
Our Savior, Lord, and Lamb,
The God of perfect light and love,
The infinite I Am.

We'll sing to magnify with thanks
The Lord Who bore our shame.
Though sweeter there on heaven's banks,
The theme will be the same.

Rebels, Rejoice!

"Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them" (Psalm 68:18).

Rebels, have you heard the news?
The gift of God extends to all!
Repent and come; do not refuse
His gift of life, His loving call.

The gift He gives He had to buy;
It cost Him more than you can know.
He loved you so much He would die,
To pay your debt, and life bestow.

We cannot buy, nor would God sell,
The gift He bought at Calvary.
He paid that price that He might dwell
Among the likes of you and me.

Rejoice, oh rebels, make it known:
The love of God has found a way
To save, to keep, and call His own,
Each rebel who will humbly pray.

Discreetly Distant

"And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34).

It's not enough to be discreet
And draw the right conclusion:
If heart and action do not meet,
It's meaningless confusion.

It's not enough to understand,
Yet also to ignore,
The risen Savior's firm command
To open up the door.

Oh master of your dismal fate,
Oh captain of your soul,
You are not far; why will you wait
To give the Lord control?

It's not enough to merely know
What God declares is fact.
There's still some distance you must go:
God waits for you to act.

Make it Majestic

"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. Come and see the works of God.... Come and hear...and I will declare what He hath done for my soul" (Psalm 66:1,2,5,16).

Come and see the works of God;
Praise Him for His majesty
In earth around, in seas abroad,
In skies above, and all we see!

Come and hear what He has done
And how His love has made me whole.
On the cross He fought and won;
He paid the ransom for my soul!

Come, make His praises glorious;
Majestic in creation!
Declare our Lord victorious,
Who purchased our salvation!

Author of Authority

"As for our transgressions, Thou shalt purge them away.... Which by His strength setteth fast the mountains, being girded with power.... They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at Thy tokens: Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice" (Psalm 65:3-8). "By what authority doest Thou these things? And who gave Thee this authority to do these things?" (Mark 11:28).

Who gave to God His power vast?
It was forever His!
He is the Author of the past,
Of what will be, and is!

Who gave Him His authority
To do all He has done?
That awesome right eternally
Pertains to God the Son!

Who gave to Christ the righteousness
To purge our sins as dross?
He earned that right to save and bless
By dying on the cross.

Wiser and Wealthier

Mother's Day

"There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of man's life are his riches" (Proverbs 13:7,8). "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom from many" (Mark 10:45). "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.... and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15).

Mothers, as your children grow
And as you work to keep them healthy,
Tell them what they ought to know
To make them truly wise and wealthy.

Wise, that is, unto salvation
Through their faith in Jesus Christ.
Wealthy by His invitation;
Ransomed through His sacrifice.

Mothers, you cannot aspire
To a wiser, richer end
For your children to desire,
Than in Christ, their truest Friend.

Drawn by the Drought

"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.... Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.... My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips" (Psalm 63:1-5).

I was drawn by the drought that parches this earth,
By a life lived without any meaning or worth.
Then looking above, in the thirst of my soul,
I found, Lord, Your love filled my cup to the full.

Yes, Your lovingkindness has quenched my soul's thirst,
Gave sight for my blindness, Your best for my worst,
Is better, far better, than life at its best,
Has broken each fetter, and given me rest.

Reassuring Repetition

"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto Thee belongeth mercy" (Psalm 62:11). "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation" (Hebrews 6:17,18).

God in mercy once has spoken;
Sometimes He will say it twice,
And adds an oath that can't be broken,
Even though once should suffice.

What reassuring repetition
Our God provides within His Book!
Faithfulness without condition
Is found in Christ each time we look.

Power thus belongs to God;
Mercies too, we know are His.
God is faithful! Oh how odd
That we ever doubt He is!

Higher Rock of a Humbler Role

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2). "And [He] saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

Lead me, Lord, when I shall cry,
To Your throne, that lofty realm,
To that higher rock than I,
When my heart is overwhelmed.

I'm led by love that none can drown,
To the heights of Jesus love.
I see the love that brought Him down,
From His dwelling place above.

Thus I find this higher rock
Has brought me lower to the earth.
Showing me much more than talk:
Love in action, and its worth.

The higher rock, the holy call,
Here from this summit I can see:
Those who are the last of all
Shall rise by their humility.

Banner Beloved

"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah" (Psalm 60:4).

For such a cause, Lord, for such a place,
And for such a time, as this is today,
You've given a banner of truth and of grace
That all those who fear You should put on display.

For such a love bestowed in such manner
As Jesus displayed when He came from above,
Because of this truth, we raise high the banner,
Displaying His mercy, redemption, and love.

Mercy in the Morning

"Let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.... and grudge if they be not satisfied. But I will sing of Thy power, yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy" (Psalm 59:14-17).

Lord, I will sing of Your infinite power,
And sing of Your mercy aloud in the morning.
Though mockery grows in this world's late hour,
And blasphemy knows no bounds to its scorning.

So let scorners make their noise like a dog
Returning to vomit, and not satisfied.
You lifted me out of that blasphemous fog,
And gave me a refuge in Jesus who died.

God of my mercy in the day of my trouble,
You are my strength, so to You I will sing!
When all of the strongholds of Satan are rubble,
You shall be crowned as our glorious King!

Wonderfully Well

"And [they] were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak" (Mark 7:37).

There was a time I could not hear;
A time I could not speak.
I could not see what now is clear,
I was so very weak.

But God in mercy saw my plight
When I was deaf and dumb,
I heard His voice with great delight
Invite me then to come.

I came, and saw with eyes once blind;
My ears, once deaf, then heard!
My tongue, once dumb, was then inclined
To praise God for His Word!

Astonished at His love for me
That rescues me from hell,
I hear and speak and surely see:
My Lord does all things well!

Waking Words

"God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.... Awake up, my glory, awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations" (Psalm 57:3,4,8,9). "Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light" (Ephesians 5:14).

Awake, my soul, with new desire!
Rise up from where you lie!
The sons of men are set on fire;
Can you not hear their cry?

The words they speak, like spears and arrows,
Their souls they thus consume.
Their path is bleak; the distance narrows
That draws them to their tomb.

Awake my soul, give praise to God,
And let His light be shown!
So let His mercy spread abroad;
So let His truth be known.

Looking and Loving

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings" (Proverbs 5:21). "The Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10).

The Lord is looking on the heart;
He ponders all our ways.
We are His constant work of art;
His grace He thus displays.

The Lord is working in our hearts
His workmanship of love.
He will continue what He starts,
Until we meet above.

Obeisance of Obedience

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).

Obedience to God above
Is truest worship, pure and right,
That manifests a heart of love
That God esteems with great delight.

Learning for Leaning

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.... Be not wise in thine own eyes.... The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens" (Proverbs 3:5,7,19).

Lean not upon your own understanding,
Neither perceive yourself wise,
Unless you, like God, can by your commanding,
Create earth and order the skies.

If you, by your wisdom and by your design,
Can hang earth on nothing in space
And keep every orbiting planet in line,
Then lean on your wisdom and grace.

Omniscient Lord! Our pride is so odd
In view of what You have displayed!
Teach us to lean on Your wisdom, oh God,
And learn from the things You have made.

Send the Sane

"And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in His right mind.... Howbeit Jesus... saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mark 5:15-19).

There once was a man insane and possessed,
Like many whom Satan so cruelly would bind,
Whom Jesus set free, and thus was found blessed,
Seated, and clothed, and in his right mind.

If you, with this man so disturbed, can relate,
Then you have a message you surely can tell.
Go home to your friends, and tell them how great
The love of your God is Who saved you from hell.

Continually Caring

"The goodness of God endureth continually" (Psalm 52:1). "And there arose a great storm of wind... and they say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:37,38).

The goodness of God can never cease,
No matter what storms may assail.
May this certain truth impart perfect peace:
The love of our God cannot fail.

The winds and the sea may stir with commotion,
Yet God still continually cares.
For above every crashing wave of the ocean,
He still hears the faintest of prayers.

Will to be With

"Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned.... Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right sprit within me" (Psalm 51:4,10). "Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart" (1 Samuel 14:7).

Against the Lord are all my sins,
Though others are affected.
This is where it all begins:
When God's will is rejected.

Create in me a clean heart, Lord,
That longs to do Your will,
That where Your heart will turn toward,
I may be with You still.

Speaking to the Seeking

"The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.... Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest... there be none to deliver" (Psalm 50:1,22). "He, that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).

God is speaking day by day
From the dawn to setting sun.
Some have turned their hearts away;
Other hearts the Lord has won.

Those who will not heed God's voice
Are the same who shall not hear.
Though to spurn Him is a choice,
Judgment nonetheless draws near.

One day God will cease to warn;
And there shall be no remedy.
Sinners then will no more scorn
When faced with their eternity.

Consider this, you who forget:
Salvation is in Christ alone.
Seek the Lord, or soon regret
Your choice when at His judgment throne.

Veer from the Vain

"Turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart, and turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain" (1 Samuel 12:20,21).

Turn not aside from seeking the Lord,
And trust Him to make your path plain.
Turn not aside for an earthly reward,
For then would you seek what is vain.

Serve Him with all of your heart and your soul;
All other distractions disdain.
Follow Him daily and give Him control,
For then you will veer from the vain.

Rehearsing with Reasoning

"Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which He did to you and to your fathers" (1 Samuel 12:7).

Let us reason, as we look,
Rehearsing all the facts,
That are written in God's Book,
Of all His righteous acts.

Rehearse the acts of His creation,
The earth and skies above.
Rehearse the acts of His salvation
Accomplished by His love.

Pause from your activity
And take the time to reason,
Considering the history
Of God in every season.

Shout! vs. Shush!

"O clap yours hands, all ye people, shout unto God with a voice of triumph" (Psalm 47:1). "And He (Jesus) straightly charged him (the healed leper), Say thou nothing to any man.... But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter" (Mark 1:44,45).

Shout with triumphant praise to our God,
Declaring His wondrous salvation!
Publish the matter; yes, spread it abroad,
To all of the ends of creation!

How difficult was that different command
That our Lord charged the leper He healed,
That he should say nothing to any man,
Of his joy that could not be concealed!

Refuge and River

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.... There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.... Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:1,4,10).

You, Lord, are our Refuge, River,
Strength eternal, Stream of life,
Loving Savior, comfort Giver,
And our present Help in strife.

Streams of gladness freely flow,
Fears and doubts at once are halted,
As You bid our hearts to know,
You are God, and thus exalted.

Stand Still

"And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away.... but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God" (1 Samuel 10:26,27). "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19,20).

Early with the dew of morning
About the spring of day,
We may hear God's gentle warning,
Before we're sent away.

Before the day with its demands
Presents its joy or trial,
God, who sees it all, commands,
Stand still a little while.

Stand still to hear the Word of God,
Each morning that He gives.
The comfort of His staff and rod,
Is ours because He lives.

The Lord commands us each to go,
Yet also to stand still.
How else shall we ever know
The counsel of His will?

The World vs. the Word

"Pilate saith unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can" (Matthew 27:65).

Make it as sure as you can;
You have a watch, Pilate said.
God versus pitiful man,
Supposing the Lord would stay dead!

Make it as sure as you can;
Yet three days elapsed and He rose,
In spite of their very best plan,
In spite of their arrogant prose.

Make it as sure as you can,
The world continues to say!
Relentlessly working to ban
The historical proof on display.

Make it as sure as you can,
Yet when your best efforts are done,
The word of the Savior shall stand,
And the world shall bow to God's Son.

Holy Hill

"O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill.... Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy" (Psalm 43:3,4). "And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha.... they crucified Him.... Now from the sixth hour (i.e., noon) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour" (Matthew 27:33-45).

Lord, lead me to Your holy hill,
To the altar where You died,
Where love accomplished all Your will,
When You were crucified.

Led by light into that place
Where darkness spread its veil,
Light was brilliant by Your grace
Through love that did not fail.

What irony, that light should lead
Into that noonday night,
Where love would meet our deepest need,
And for our souls would fight!

Light exposed Your judgment rod,
Yet love received the blow.
So to the altar of my God
With joy I'll humbly go.

Quality Question

"Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22).

Life is filled with many questions;
Some important, others not.
Some are posed as mere suggestions,
Others call for deeper thought.

We test a question's quality
By its consequence's weight.
If it impacts eternity,
Its quality is great!

You dare not be as Pilate, who
Then asked that congregation
What they thought that he should do
With Christ and His salvation.

What shall I do with Jesus Christ?
Friend, weigh this question well!
He is the Lamb once sacrificed
To save your soul from hell!

Hitherto and Henceforth

"Then Samuel took a stone... and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12). "By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me" (Psalm 41:11).

By this I surely know God's favor,
That this enemy within
Has been defeated by my Savior:
The tyranny of sin.

Hitherto the Lord has helped me,
And here this stone I raise,
To celebrate His victory
Henceforth for all my days.

Theme of His Thoughts

"Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee.... But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me" (Psalm 40:5,17).

How many are Your thoughts, oh Lord;
How wondrous is their theme,
As all Scriptures thus record
Your work and love supreme!

And as I ponder, Lord, Your mind,
And what You're thinking of,
I am amazed at what I find:
You think on me with love!

Wait for What?

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in Thee" (Psalm 39:7).

In this age of vanity,
Oh Lord, what wait I for?
Grant me, Lord, the sanity
To love You more and more.

I thank You for my days of health
On earth, though they be few.
I thank You for the fleeting wealth
For daily bread from You.

But these can never satisfy
The longing of my soul.
For health and wealth make wings and fly,
As time demands its toll.

So now I hope in You, oh Lord;
To whom else can we go?
There's no one else who can afford
The riches You bestow.

Loving the Least

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me" (Matthew 25:40).

I was hungry, I was thirsty,
And a stranger, sick and lame,
Naked when you fed and clothed Me,
Bound in prison, when you came.

Lord, when were You so ill at ease?
Lord, when did we Your sorrow see?
When you served the least of these,
Then you did it unto Me.

Strategy of our Steps

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in His way" (Psalm 37:23). "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

The steps we take each day we've planned,
But God directs our way.
So let us follow His command,
And all His will obey.

Envision the End

"In that day I will perform... all things which I have spoken... when I begin, I will also make and end" (1 Samuel 3:12). "So also shall the coming of the Son of man be.... Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour you Lord doth come" (Matthew 24:27,42).

There surely is a coming day
When God shall make an end
To all that He began to say
Which prophets thus have penned.

Work therefore; be not as some
Who waste the time away.
We do not know when He will come,
But we can watch and pray.

The World vs. His Word

"And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these thing? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.... Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

Look upon the things of earth
And all its boasted treasure:
Evaluate their proper worth
By God's eternal measure.

All these things shall pass away,
But not that which was heard
Of all our Savior had to say,
Recorded in His Word.

Hold lightly to these passing things;
Embrace God's Word instead.
For in His time He surely brings
To pass what He has said.

Assessing our Actions

"Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed" (1 Samuel 2:3).

Though the foolish may talk proudly,
Though their judgment is delayed,
Though the world esteems them loudly,
Actions by our God are weighed.

And God our Lord can see and hear
The sinner who has humbly prayed.
He dries the brokenhearted's tear,
For actions by our God are weighed.

Rest in the Right

"The word of the Lord is right, and all His works are done in truth.... The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect" (Psalm 33:4,10). "The thoughts of the righteous are right" (Proverbs 12:5).

Every word of God is right;
The word of fools He brings to nought.
God examines in His sight
Our deeds, our words, and every thought.

Though for now there is debate,
Soon that argument will end.
God will simply terminate
The foolish counsel of mere men.

Hating Hypocrisy

"Blessed is the man... in whose spirit there is no guile" (Psalm 32:2). "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor" (Proverbs 11:9). "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23:13).

How chilling are the solemn woes
That charge hypocrisy
With ruining the lives of those
Deceived by what they see.

No wonder Jesus plainly spoke
With language so severe,
To hypocrites who thus provoke
His judgment to draw near.

But blest are those who have no guile,
With cleared iniquity,
Who live for God's approving smile,
And hate hypocrisy.

Haven in His Hand

"Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.... My times are in Thy hand" (Psalm 31:5,15).

In Your hand, Lord, I have found
A haven for eternity,
A fountainhead where joys abound,
Eternal love, and certainty.

In Your hand, I rest my soul,
There is no safer place to be.
Just knowing You are in control
Gives me peace and makes me free.

Purpose of Praise

"Thou hast turned for me my morning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever" (Psalm 30:11,12).

Girded with gladness for all of my days,
Clothed in the garments of glorious salvation,
Marked for the purpose of singing God's praise;
To this very end I am His new creation.

Gleanings of Glory

EASTER SUNDAY

"Then Boaz said unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here... Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?.... And Boaz said unto her, at mealtime come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar" (Ruth 2:8-14). "Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine" (John 21:12).

This question from the heart of Ruth:
Lord, "Why have I found grace?"
Gleaned from Scripture rings with truth
For all of Adam's race!

For why should we thus be invited
By our Lord to "come and dine?"
Should we not be thus indicted
By the symbols, bread and wine?

And yet He bids us to take bread,
Recall His body broken,
A body that rose from the dead;
Oh, what a glorious token!

And as we also take the wine,
Recalling blood He shed,
We see the price of wrath divine,
That should be ours instead.

And still the question rings above,
Lord, why have we found grace?
We find the answer in the love
That shines from Jesus' face.

Standing Steadfast

"And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.... She [Naomi] saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her" (Ruth 1:16-18). "Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him" (Matthew 20:34).

Lord, You have called me to come follow You,
And I would be steadfast, Lord; I would be true.
Until life on earth and my journey be through,
I'd trust You to meet very need.

Just like the steadfast commitment of Ruth,
Filled with a passion and love for Your truth,
God of my old age as well as my youth,
I'd follow wherever You lead.

Singular Search

Good Friday

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after... to behold the beauty of the Lord.... When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face, my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalm 27:4,8).

There is a single, worthy goal
Demanding my decision:
To seek the Savior of my soul,
That He might fill my vision.

I see my Savior on the cross
There dying for my sin.
And though His triumph looked like loss,
He knew that He would win.

What was the prize for which He died
And rose again to claim?
It was my soul, to my surprise,
Redeemed from sin and shame!

Lord, I would therefore seek Your face,
To search more of Your beauty,
And manifest Your matchless grace,
Compelled by love and duty.

Delighting in His Dwelling

"Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth" (Psalm 26:8). "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).

In the praise-filled congregation
Or gathering of two or three,
I have loved the habitation,
Where my Lord delights to be.

In the place His honor dwells,
Where we think upon His love,
All our cares He thus dispels,
Till we meet with Him above.

Just Jesus

"And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8).

Jesus only, what a salve
That our weary eyes may claim!
He is all we need to have,
Trusting only in His name.

Thus we gladly lift our eyes
To our Lord upon His throne.
Thereby He will make us wise,
As we look to Him alone.

Examine the Exchange

"What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

Ponder the question our Lord Jesus posed:
What shall a man exchange for his soul?
Examples abound! Consider now those
Like Judas's silver and Esau's soup bowl.

Consider now also, examine it well,
The price of exchange people pay everyday.
A season of sin for the ages of hell:
This is the price they are willing to pay!

Examine the cost and determine today
To live for the Lord who has ransomed the lost.
Only the Lord could value and weigh
And purchase our souls at such a high cost!

Faithful to Follow

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).

Surely! What a guarantee
God's Word can thus command!
My Shepherd's goodness follows me
His mercy is at hand.

I know that He will my needs,
Who saved my soul from hell.
I know that He not only leads,
But follows me as well!

Fearless Fools

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.... they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.... But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil" (Proverbs 7,29,33).

There is a holy, prudent fear
That teaches us to choose
To call on God while He is near,
And fear of judgment lose.

But fools continue without fear
To march through time undaunted
By the warnings that they hear
Neither heeding, neither haunted.

Yet God's Spirit still reproves,
To warn and woo the lost.
And thus the fear of God still moves
Our souls to count the cost.

Thank you, Lord, for holy fear
That taught us thus to flee,
And find in Christ our refuge here,
And truth that makes us free.

Potent Petition

"The king shall joy in Thy strength, O Lord; and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.... He asked like of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever" (Psalm 21:1-4).

I lifted up my prayer, Oh Lord,
Not knowing that You cared.
You gave me all You could afford;
Your Son You have not spared!

How greatly now I thus rejoice
In all Your strength to save!
How gratefully I lift my voice
For all You freely gave!

Erring Eyes

"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.... There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness" (Proverbs 30:12).

Erring eyes that have no light
Are those that never think to look
To God Who tells us what is right,
In the pure words of His Book.

Words and Works

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). "Many seek the ruler's favor, but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord" (Proverbs 29:26).

Lord, let the words of my mouth that are heard,
And my heart's meditation as well,
Be pleasing to You, in thought and in word,
As on Your perfections I dwell.

Lord, let the works that I do everyday
Be done with Your judgment in view.
Seeking your favor, Lord, living Your way,
And thus be found pleasing to You.

Generous Gentleness

"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up; and Thy gentleness hath made me great" (Psalm 18:35).

How generous my God's heart is
That shields me with salvation!
He gently holds my hand in His
Through every situation.

Blessed v. Blind

"This people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed.... But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear" (Matthew 13:15,16).

What a blessing God imparts
To eyes that we may thereby see.
Sight is granted to our hearts
In view of our eternity.

What a contrast are the blind
That cannot see what lies ahead.
Willful darkness shrouds their mind
To blessings they could have instead.

Lord of my Lot

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage" (Psalm 16:5,6).

The lines of my lot that define my salvation
Are fallen to me in such pleasant places!
God Who maintains them removed condemnation,
And all that remains are His graces!

Place Given to Pleasing God

"And Samson went down to Timnath.... and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.... Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well" (Judges 14:1-3). "Behold My Servant, whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased" ( Matthew 12:18).

The appetites of Samson show
An unrestrained seduction
To please himself, and this we know
Would lead to his destruction.

What a contrast seen in Christ
Who pleased His Father's soul!
His perfect life was sacrificed
To pay our debt in full!

So let us choose this paradigm
To live for this reward,
To give our life to the sublime:
The pleasure of our Lord.

Fatal Folly

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Psalm 14:1). "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22). "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth... Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.... Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:25,28).

The fool has said what makes no sense:
There's no divine Creator.
But folly has its consequence,
Perhaps not now, but later.

Escape from folly while you may!
There's but one avenue:
Come to Jesus Christ today
While He is calling you.

Wisdom's Whelps

"Wisdom is justified of her children" (Matthew 11:19).

Wisdom may be disregarded by some,
No matter how well testified.
Wait on the Lord; the day will soon come
When wisdom shall be justified.

For wisdom has children that surely shall grow
As lions once nurtured as whelps.
When all said and done, the world shall know
The wisdom of those whom God helps.

Housetop Herald

"Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart to My knowledge... that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee" (Proverbs 22:17-21). "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops" (Matthew 10:27).

In the darkness of my closet space
Where God and I commune
God there brings to light His grace
And brings my heart in tune.

In the quiet time of morning dawn
When I bow down my ear
I read God's word, He leads me on,
To do what I will hear.

And so it is I cannot stop
To speak what I have heard.
In light and on the house's top
I shall proclaim His word.

Flawed Flight

"In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?" (Psalm 11:1). "Safety is of the Lord" (Proverbs 21:31).

I trust the Lord. Why should I flee
From where God calls me still?
There is no safer place to be
Than in the center of His will!

How say you, therefore, to my soul
To flee now as a bird?
My God is surely in control—
Perhaps you haven't heard.

Desire Discerned

"Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear" (Psalm 10:17).

Nothing hidden from Your ear;
Our desire, Lord, is clear.
You will cause Your ear to hear,
Before we even speak.

What compassion is revealed!
Thus our broken hearts are healed!
Before we prayed, before we kneeled,
You drew us, Lord, to seek.

Seeker's Solace

"And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee" (Psalm 9:10).

The greatest solace seekers claim,
Where peace may be restored,
Is found with those who know the name
Of Jesus Christ our Lord.

For those who know His faithfulness
Shall never be forsaken.
And those who trust in Him to bless,
Shall never be mistaken.

Not Worthy yet Not Worthless

"What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4). "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof" (Matthew 8:8).

Lord of heaven, I am earthly,
Full of sin, and so unworthy.
Yet I cannot worthless be,
For You have come to visit me!

Lord of heaven, what is man,
That Your heart of love would plan
To visit him to make him whole,
And give Your life to save his soul?

Lord of heaven, Lord of earth,
Thus we have discerned our worth,
Yet our unworthiness as well,
For sin had made us fit for hell.

Lord of heaven, Lord of love,
Soon we'll be with You above,
And then for an eternal span
We'll ponder there the worth of man.

Astonishing Authority

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine. For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28,29).

He spoke His words with clarity
Expounding heaven's thought.
Astonishing authority
With which our Savior taught!

The broad way and the narrow path,
The builder's rock foundation,
The gate of life, eternal wrath,
The blessing of salvation—

What words of timeless consequence
In all He had to say!
They speak with no less relevance
To us in this our day.

Satisfied Seekers

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

God has promised He will bless
All those who will seek first
His kingdom and His righteousness,
And He will quench their thirst.

For only He can satisfy
The thirsty, longing soul.
For when our cup is running dry
He fills it more than full.

Seeing in Secret

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.... How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" (Proverbs 15:3,11). "And thy Father which seeth in secret shall Himself reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:4).

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Seeing what's evil and good.
Lord, look on my heart with mercy and grace,
And purge every thought as You would.

The eyes of the Lord look down from above
Seeing my most inward part.
How kind You have been, Lord, and what tender love
Has healed and gladdened my heart!

Got Gladness?

"Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased" (Psalm 4:7). "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness" (Proverbs 14:13). "Jesus... for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2).

A gladness that exceeds the measure
Of this world's empty laughter,
And riches that exceed its treasure
Are mine forever after.

In Christ this gladness is assured,
Who gives joy to the full.
It was for joy that He endured
The cross to save my soul.

Shine to Show

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Lord, let Your light in me so shine
That others thus may see
The light reflected is not mine,
But Yours which shines in me.

Possible Peace

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed (Christ)" (Psalm 2:2). "To the counselors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20). "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

In this world where fools don't cease
To rage against the Lord,
God still freely offers peace
That we cannot afford.

Our peace came at an awful price
That Jesus Christ would pay!
For He became our Sacrifice
To take our sin away.

Counselors of peace, therefore,
Proclaim the joyful news!
God exchanges peace for war;
It's up to us to choose.

Possible Peace

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed (Christ)" (Psalm 2:2). "To the counselors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20). "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

In this world where fools don't cease
To rage against the Lord,
God still freely offers peace
That we cannot afford.

Our peace came at an awful price
That Jesus Christ would pay!
For He became our Sacrifice
To take our sin away.

Counselors of peace, therefore,
Proclaim the joyful news!
God exchanges peace for war;
It's up to us to choose.

Fruitful Friendhship

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season" (Psalm 1:3). The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8).

He that wins a soul is wise;
God has said so in His Word.
Joy in heaven testifies
When a sinner's prayer is heard.

Cultivate this fruit today—
Fruit that wins eternal friends.
Sow the Gospel seed and pray
For the joy that never ends.

Gideon plus God

"And the Lord looked upon him (Gideon), and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto Him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel... I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee" (Judges 6:14-16).

Gideon plus God made two,
Yet this was quite enough.
When God says "I will be with you,"
No foe can be too tough.

Pay no heed to boasted numbers
Satan musters in array.
God who keeps you never slumbers;
Only trust Him and obey.

God plus you is all you need,
No matter what the strife.
Go in this your might indeed:
A Christ-empowered life!

Song and a Sword

"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand" (Psalm 149:4-6).

Let our song of joy be heard
That praises God for His salvation.
Let the sword of God's own Word
Thus manifest His revelation.

The reason for our joy is plain;
Let that reason be revealed.
Be ready always to explain
By the song and sword we wield.

Eminence of Emmanuel

"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:21-23).

Emmanuel, that wondrous name
Describing Christ our Lord,
Declares the reason why He came,
And what He looked toward.

God with us! Emmanuel!
We praise the name of Jesus,
Who died to save our souls from hell
And be forever with us.

Infinite Intelligence

"Great is our Lord, and of great power; His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5).

There are no limits to the power
Nor of His understanding
Who made the stars and every flower
Just by His commanding.

Finale of His Face

"And they shall see His face" (Revelation 22:4).

Grand finale of the ages:
We shall look upon His face!
Now in part on Scripture's pages;
Then the fullness of His grace!

Investigating the Infinite

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.... and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever" (Psalm 145:3,21).

Unsearchable greatness is found in our Lord;
His power, His wisdom, and love thus abound.
Forever and ever shall He be explored,
Yet more of His greatness shall always be found.

Consider the Contrast

"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:18,19).

Consider the contrast between the two ways:
First let's consider the path of the just:
They follow the light, like the sun's solar rays
That shine more and more as they learn to trust.

Now let us consider the way of the lost:
How dark is the path upon which they stumble!
They walk on in darkness not counting the cost
For spurning salvation reserved for the humble.

Lord, lead us onward to walk in the light;
Brighten our path with the light of Your face,
And mindful of those in the darkness of night,
Cause us to shine forth to show them Your grace.

Way to Walk

"Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto Thee" (Psalm 143:8). "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct Thy paths.... Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.... For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken" (Proverbs 3:6,23,26).

Cause me to know, Lord, the way I should walk.
The path of Your will is the way I would go.
For You are my Confidence, my solid Rock,
My Guide, and my Fortress against every foe.

Consequence of Compromise

"And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed My voice: why have ye done this?" (Judges 2:2).

God never gives a command that's unwise,
But that which preserves us from sin's consequence.
Let us obey Him without compromise
For those who obey Him shall have His defense.

Words and Ways

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

Lord of my lips and of my every part,
Guard me in all of my words and my ways
To give You the glory deserved from my heart
So all that is in me may live for Your praise.