Revived to Rejoice

"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 to His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly" (Psalm 85:6,8).

Let us hear what God will speak.
God will surely meet us when
We acknowledge we are weak
And we seek His face again.

Let us hear our Savior's voice;
He alone can give true peace
That His people may rejoice
And His glory may increase.

Let us hear what God will say,
And so reproved, let us repent
Putting folly thus away
That revival may be sent.

Favored with Forgiveness

"O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face... because we have sinned against Thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him" (Daniel 9:8,9).

Lord, You can see our confusion of face
Because we have sinned against You,
And yet you continue to show us Your grace
With mercy and pardon anew.

Thank You, dear Lord, for continuing favor
To the rebels deserving your wrath.
Thank You, O Lord, our Refuge and Savior,
For the light of Your love on our path.

Blueprinted Blessings

"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.... Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterward build thine house" (Proverbs 24:3,27). "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air" (1 Corinthians 9:26).

We cannot build with certainty;
We cannot fight or run,
Unless there is some clarity
On how to get it done.

We need a blueprint, so to speak,
That lays out what's required.
What is it that we truly seek?
How much is it desired?

Are there obstacles to clear
From God's appointed field?
Are there sins that we hold dear
That we have yet to yield?

May God give us a heart to plan,
Before we start to build.
The question is not if we can,
But rather if we've willed.

Fed with the Finest

"I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But My people would not hearken to My voice, and Israel would none of Me.... He should have fed them also with the finest of wheat, and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee" (Psalm 81:10,11,16).

Out of the land where I was enslaved,
Into the place where I am now free:
This was the purpose for which I was saved;
This was the reason that Christ died for me.

And yet there is more that His love had in mind:
He wanted my spirit to be satisfied,
Fed with the finest of wheat He could find,
Paying the price that it might be supplied.

How great was that cost! It wasn't with money,
But His precious blood on the cross that He shed.
The Rock that was smitten has brought forth the honey
And finest of wheat by which we are fed.

Lord, I would open my mouth wide today
That I may be filled with true satisfaction.
Keep me from foolishly turning away
By empty adventure and pointless distraction.

Decree of Darius

"King Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God.... He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions" (Daniel 6:25-27).

Darius the king decreed
To all the nations far and near,
That everyone of them take heed:
The God of Daniel they should fear.

The God of Daniel, this is He
Who works in heaven and in earth.
Own His Lordship, bow the knee,
And declare His matchless worth.

God delivers the distressed,
And He rescues all His own,
As Daniel surely could attest,
And the lion's den had shown.

How great the peace to you and me
Is multiplied from God our Savior!
How high He sits in majesty!
How low He stoops to show His favor!

Temples and Treasures

"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). "There is treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise" (Proverbs 21:20).

We are temples, Lord, and treasures
That all belong to You.
Purchased with a price that measures
Our worth in heaven's view.

Lord, give us hearts that realize,
With attentive ears to hear it,
And let this wonder fill our eyes:
We're indwelt by Your Spirit!

And since You bought us with a price,
Lord, help us to surrender
To Christ our Lord, our Sacrifice,
Redeemer, and Defender.

Indispensable Integrity

"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 78:70,72). "A faithful man who can find? The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him" (Proverbs 20:6,7).

God is looking for the one
In whom He finds integrity.
When His search in us is done,
Will He find that quality?

God is searching through the earth
(And in the heart of you and me)
For the faithfulness and worth
That's molded by integrity.

What in David did God see
That gave him hands of skill?
He saw in him integrity
Inclined to do God's will.

May we likewise, Lord, pursue
That integrity we need
By the model seen in You,
And thus Your people feed.

Fretting or Fearing?

"The foolishness of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord.... The fear of the Lord tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil" (Proverbs 19:3,23).

Foolishness perverts our way
And frets against the Lord.
It leads our wayward hearts astray
And robs us of reward.

The fear of God will lead to life
And keeps us satisfied,
And even through the times of strife,
No evil shall abide.

Let us therefore not forget
God's way to judge our hearts:
By foolishness our hearts will fret,
But peace His fear imparts.

Restraining the Remaining

"God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. Surely the wrath shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalm 76:9,10).

God arose in days of old
To save all of those who were meek.
This is what we see unfold
As we will let history speak.

And this is what we also find
In the present regarding God's way:
For God is faithful and so kind
To those who will seek Him today.

For God in His mercy yet will arise
In judgment to save all His own.
For God sees His children, and He hears their cries,
As history likewise has shown.

For even the wrath of man He may choose
To thus make His purposes plain.
The wrath that will serve His purpose He'll use;
The rest He will surely restrain.

Favor of the Furnace

"The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Proverbs 17:3). "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king.... answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:23-25).

The silver has the fining pot,
The furnace is for gold.
But God refines each inner thought
Within the heart we hold.

The furnace may be tribulation
To draw our hearts in prayer.
It may include exasperation,
Or seasons of despair.

But there's no reason for despair,
For God is in control.
The Son of God is always there
To guide and guard our soul.

Behold the furnace and its favor,
And what it will impart:
God will thereby purge behavior,
Beginning with the heart.

Made Manifest

"Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever.... He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.... There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets" (Daniel 2:20-28). "The preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery... was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets... made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:25-27).

There is a God on heaven's throne
Who graciously reveals
The deep and secret things unknown,
Which heaven had concealed.

But now has He made manifest
His wondrous Gospel plan,
By which humanity was blest
Before the world began.

The things in retrospect we see
God saw before they came.
He saw the cross at Calvary
Where Christ would bear our shame.

And thus we view the mystery
Through heaven's looking glass,
Where God foretells the history
Before it comes to pass.

According to this revelation
Is Christ our Lord now preached,
And thus made known to every nation
To which His Word has reached.

When Little is a Whole Lot

"Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith" (Proverbs 15:16).

Riches are a fragile bubble
That vanish with their pleasures,
And with them there is ample trouble
To dim the brightest treasures.

How much better is the fear
That draws our hearts to God,
Delighting that the Lord is near
To guide with staff and rod!

So let this be our estimation:
That little is a lot
When Christ is found in our equation
With all His grace has wrought.

Daniel's Determination

"Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself" (Daniel 1:8).

Daniel purposed in his heart
To do the thing he knew was right,
Determining to not take part
With what was evil in God's sight.

What a model we see here!
What a confidence portrayed!
What a proper godly fear
Daniel clearly thus displayed!

And so may we partake as well
In godly fear in peace or strife.
And thus by our behavior tell
That God is ruling in our life.

Continual Commandment

"Be Thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress... I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more" (Psalm 71:3,14).

Rejoice, O my soul, continually,
For God has become your strong habitation!
The Lord has commanded perpetually
That you shall be kept by His endless salvation!

Give thanks, O my soul, for the Lord will restore
And strengthen your hope yet again and again.
So I will yet praise You, O Lord, more and more;
To God be the glory forever, Amen!

Happiness for Heaviness

"The tongue of the wise is health.... To the counselors of peace is joy.... Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:18,20,25).

Hearts are heavy, stooping low,
Most everywhere we look.
But we may share the peace we know
From God's amazing Book.

Oh, what an opportunity
To share a Word that's good!
And what responsibility
To share, as well we should!

We dare not look the other way
Until another dawn
To say the Word that we should say;
That soul may then be gone.

Counselors of peace have joy
They surely should be sharing,
So may the Gospel they employ
Be preached to those despairing.

Yes, heaviness within the heart
Shall always make it sad.
But counselors of peace impart
The Word that makes it glad.

Divine Depths

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).

How deep are the riches that may be explored
Of wisdom, of knowledge, of power, and love
That we may consider in Jesus our Lord,
Unsearchably vast as the heavens above!

His judgments of wisdom and knowledge we trace
Had planned our redemption before time began.
His merciful power, His love, and His grace,
Have found their expression when God became Man.

And so with our with our feeble and limited mind,
We search the unsearchable splendors made known
In Jesus the Savior and Lord of mankind,
As deep as His sorrow, as high as His throne.

Riches for Rebels

"God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.... 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 68:6,18). The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22).

Brought from a land that is barren and dry,
Set in the family of God by His grace,
These were all rebels who now testify
That Jesus Christ suffered and died in their place.

Astounding the thought! Amazing the love!
That prompted our Savior to suffer these pains,
That we might be with Him in heaven above,
And even now freed from captivity's chains.

Such is the blessing that comes from our Lord
To rebels who turn from their sin and draw near.
Who are these rebels that God has restored?
The Christian needs only to look in the mirror.

Shing Face, Sharing Feet

"God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us (Selah); that Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations" (Psalm 67:1,2). "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15).

May God in mercy cause His face
To shine upon our hearts
That we may share His saving grace
With earth's most distant parts.

May we reflect what God has shown:
His blessings of salvation
By which His saving health is known
To every tribe and nation.

May we be therefore diligent
To mobilize our feet
To take the Gospel where we're sent
To share its message sweet.

May we have the feet of beauty
To share the Word we preach
With our delight, yet also duty,
While there are souls to reach.

Testimony of Tenderness

"O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard: which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.... Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul.... Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me" (Psalm 66:9-20).

Come and hear, and I will tell
What God did for my soul.
He saved me from eternal hell
And paid my debt in full.

Come and hear, and I'll declare
What Jesus does for me.
He has not turned away my prayer;
He holds me tenderly.

Come and hear, and I will say
His tenderness is sweet
Whose hand will hold us everyday
And guide and guard our feet.

Come and hear; I'll testify
Of times of peace and strife,
And you will know the reason why
I trust Him with my life.

Appropriating our Approach

"Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, Thou shalt purge them away. Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee" (Psalm 65:3,4).

Woe is me! For sins prevail
That mock me everyday.
Alas! For I am doomed to fail,
So quickly led astray.

It doesn't matter how sincere
Or earnest my confessions.
The Judge of all is drawing near
Who sees all my transgressions.

What is this I hear Him say?
Can I believe my ears?
That Christ has washed my sins away,
And vanquished all my fears?

Come and see what God has done,
Who bids us to approach:
He purged our sins through God the Son
Who bore our sins' reproach!

Praise the Lord! Behold, the Lamb
For me was sacrificed!
I come, in spite of what I am
To worship Jesus Christ!

Certainty in our Circumstances

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Do you have the certainty
That all things work for good?
Contemplate the sovereignty
Of Jesus as you should!

Children of the sovereign King,
There's nothing left to chance.
He's working good in everything,
In every circumstance!

This isn't true for everyone,
For many have rejected
The sovereign love of God the Son,
By which we are perfected.

If you have received the Lord,
His promise is to you,
And sovereign grace can well afford
To make that promise true.

His Love vs. This Life

"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.... because Thy lovingkindness is better than life" (Psalm 63:1,3).

How dry and thirsty is this land
That cannot quench my thirst.
Like cloudless skies and desert sand,
Its barren land is cursed.

How empty is this world's life,
So void of lovingkindness,
Yet filled with murder, hatred, strife,
Unhappiness, and blindness.

How sweet the love of Jesus is
Who satisfies my soul!
I know He's mine and I am His
And He is in control.

This world's life cannot compare,
No matter how it's sliced,
With love that we are called to share
That's found in Jesus Christ.

Perennial Pouring

"Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8).

Pour out your heart to the Lord.
Hold nothing back that you find.
Thus shall your joy be restored,
And then shall you have peace of mind.

Pour out your heart to the Lord.
Trust at all times in His love.
His riches in grace can afford
The blessings we need from above.

Pour out your heart to the Lord.
God is a Refuge for us.
The more that our prayers are outpoured,
The more He is glorified thus.

Rise to the Rock

"Hear my cry, O God; attend my prayer. 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. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy (Psalm 63:1-3).

Lord, lead me to the higher Rock.
Attend my prayer; Lord, hear my cry.
Let me rise up in my walk
To Christ, the higher Rock than I.

Wherever I may be on earth,
Lord, let me rise up to that place,
To see the wonder and the worth
Of Your mercy, truth, and grace.

Sometimes life can take its toll,
When my eyes are down and dim.
But Christ, the Lover of my soul,
Bids me set my eyes on Him.

This is where my heart shall rise,
This is where my worries end,
This is where I lift my eyes:
To Christ my Rock and dearest Friend.

God vs. Gog

"Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog.... Thou shalt fall upon the open field, for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God" (Ezekiel 39:1,5).

The day is surely drawing near
That God has clearly prophesied:
The northern nation "Gog" shall fear
When her army ranks have died.

They shall fall, for God has spoken,
Thus proclaiming what shall be.
Gog the nation shall be broken,
And her remnant then shall flee.

Israel shall surely know,
And so shall every nation,
That judgment from the Lord shall flow,
As well as His salvation.

In view of what will thus take place,
Be sure you have received
The Lord who saves those by His grace
Who in Him have believed.

Wanting Wisdom

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you" (Proverbs 1:22,23).

The simple love simplicity,
While scorners love their scorning;
The foolish hate reality
And will not heed God's warning.

Yet some will look with open eyes
And hear with open ears
To heed the truth that makes them wise
And quiets all their fears.

Turn now at the Lord's reproof;
He's pouring out His Spirit!
Depart from those who stand aloof,
And turn with those who hear it.

For God will make His wisdom known
To those who are sincere.
Come now, and approach His throne:
He calls you to draw near!

Managing the Mouth

"If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.... the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.... Open thy mouth for the dumb in the case of all such as are appointed for destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 30:32,33, 31:8,9). "To everything there is a season.... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7).

Sometimes we should speak our mind
To share a timely truth in life.
Sometimes speaking is not kind
And only serves to kindle strife.

Sometimes we should plead the cause
Of those who need a clear defense.
Sometimes we should wisely pause
Until we hear the evidence.

Sometimes speaking has its season,
Persuading souls we seek to win.
Sometime silence has good reason,
But silence oftentimes is sin.

Lord, help us know in every case
When our mouth should speak or cease.
Teach us to be led by grace
To be Your counselors of peace.

Highest Helper

"Behold, God is mine Helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul" (Psalm 54:4).

God is my Helper on whom I rely.
He is with them who uphold my soul.
No other helper would suffer and die
In order to pay my redemption in full.

God is my Helper; then why should I fret?
He is the Lord over each circumstance.
I look to His cross when I tend to forget
That there are no matters that He leaves to chance.

God is my Helper, and this shall suffice
To calm every fear and to settle my rest.
Since He gave Himself as my Sacrifice,
I'll trust Him to order my life for the best.

Watchman Wisdom

"As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him" (Proverbs 25:13). "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman... therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me" (Ezekiel 33:7). "I am debtor... both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel" (Romans 1:14,15).

I am a messenger that's sent,
A watchman on the wall,
To warn the lost to now repent
And heed the Gospel call.

I am a debtor to the earth,
To give the Gospel's warning
And share its vast, eternal worth,
Rejected by those scorning.

And though they scorn, the charge yet stands
To warn them anyway.
So I will follow God's commands
To watch, to warn, and pray.

Rest and Resilience

"Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a razor, working deceitfully.... But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever" (Psalm 52:1,8). "Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again" (Proverbs 24:15,16).

The man of mischief may devise
The evil he has planned,
And yet he sees the righteous rise,
Held by the unseen Hand.

The mighty man may plot each hour
For Christians to be falling,
Yet God upholds them with His power,
To rise up to their calling.

So let the wicked boast of deeds
That work out his deception;
The child of God has all he needs
To rest in God's protection.

For God is still his resting place,
And that is why he'll be
Resilient and sustained by grace
To flourish as a tree.

Condtions for Converting

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.... Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. THEN will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee" (Psalm 51:10,12,13).

There are conditions I should heed
Before I seek to win
And point a soul to this great need:
Deliverance from sin.

It starts within my attitude:
My need for a clean heart,
A spirit in me that's renewed,
A spiritual new start.

I daily need my joy restored
That springs from God's salvation,
And from the Spirit of the Lord
I find my liberation.

THEN and surely only then
I know I'll be prepared
To teach God's ways to other men
Who are by sin ensnared.

Teach me, Lord, and I shall teach
The truth You have asserted.
Cleanse me, Lord, that I may reach
A soul yet unconverted.

Gathered to God

"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.... He shall call to the heavens from above and to the earth.... Gather My saints together unto Me, those that have made a covenant with Me by Sacrifice" (Psalm 50:3-5). "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet 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" (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

Our God shall come from heaven above
And gather His people as He said He would.
All who have trusted in His saving love
Shall praise Him because He is faithful and good.

His shout from the heavens, the great trumpet blast,
Shall summon all His who have already died,
And we who remain shall be caught up at last,
To meet Him together with those glorified.

And who shall be gathered when our God shall call?
All those who have trusted our Lord Jesus Christ,
For He is their Savior, the Lord of them all,
And covenant Keeper for them sacrificed!

Redemption for Reception

"They that trust in their wealth... none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: for the redemption of their soul is precious.... But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me" (Psalm 49:6-8,15).

How very strange indeed it seems
That so few trust the Lord!
While Christ alone the soul redeems,
He largely is ignored.

Many trust their fleeting wealth,
And multitudes applaud,
Yet soon they come to failing health,
And then they must meet God.

They see they're headed for the grave
With their posterity;
Yet neither can their children save
Their souls eternally.

There is but one escape in view
For every generation:
To pay the ransom that is due
To purchase their salvation.

God alone has paid in full
Redemption's awful price
To ransom each eternal soul
Through Christ, our Sacrifice.

Will you come to Christ today,
Or will you be deceived?
Redemption is the only Way
That we may be received.

Zion vs. Zidon

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.... Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.... that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:1-14). "And say, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon (i.e., Sidon), and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her" (Ezekiel 27:22).

Walk around Zion, consider her towers.
This is the city the future will bring.
The Lord will destroy all the temporal powers
Of those who rise up against God, the great King.

Walk around Zidon, and see her destruction,
Upon whom the judgments of God are outpoured.
Ponder it well and receive her instruction:
The world shall know that our God is the Lord.

The people Zion (all those with new birth),
Shall joy in the knowledge that He is their God
When He is exalted in all of the earth;
O clap your hands, Zion's people, applaud!

Yes, this is our God forever and ever;
The Lord strong and mighty is able to save.
And He is our Guide who has promised to never
Forsake us through life, from our birth to the grave.

Minister Maker

"I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness... to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me" (Acts 26:15,18).

God is the Maker of ministers wise;
He gives them their purpose and might
To witness to nations, to open their eyes,
And turn them from darkness to light.

Man's ordination is so often flawed,
But God molds the servant who wins
The lost from the power Satan to God,
Receiving forgiveness of sins.

No one but God can a minister make;
His purpose is not left to chance.
God will ordain each one for His sake
And guide them in each circumstance.

Reputation Refuge

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.... Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:1,10). "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

We have a refuge in our God,
A tower strong in our Lord's name,
Where there is no more judgment rod,
Because our Savior bore our shame.

We rest within the reputation
Of our Savior Jesus Christ
Who accomplished our salvation
When He for us was sacrificed.

Now we truly can be still
As our Lord Himself commands,
For we have seen the Lord fulfill
The judgment that His law demands.

There is no other place to run,
There is no other refuge now,
But in the name of God the Son,
Before whom every knee shall bow.

Difference in Daughters

"Thou art fairer than the children of men.... Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, even the rich among the people shall entreat Thy favor. The King's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold" (Psalm 45:2,12,13).

Consider the difference of daughters we see
In the glorious daughter and daughter of Tyre.
The glory within is the priority,
For this is the beauty our King shall desire!

The daughter of Tyre entreats with a gift,
Seeking for favor with riches external.
The King's daughter enters to worship and lift
The name of her Savior, whose praise is eternal.

What is the secret for beauty within,
And clothing of gold that is wrought with perfection?
Look to the Lord who will cleanse you from sin;
The garments of gold are the Savior's reflection.

Let us consider this difference well.
Forget the distractions that clutter your mind.
Worship the Savior, then go forth to tell
That no one is fairer in all of mankind!

Searching our Secrets

"If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god, shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart" (Psalm 44:20,21). "All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirits" (Proverbs 16:2).

If we have declined to give our God praise,
If we have replaced thanksgiving with pride,
If we have departed from God's perfect ways,
Shall not our God search our secrets inside?

If we have forgotten to follow the Lord,
If we have invited the entrance of sin,
If we have preferred this world's reward,
Shall not our God search our spirits within?

We are Your temple, Lord. Search out our hearts!
Though we once thought we were clean in our eyes,
You weigh our motives; that's where it all starts:
Purge out our folly that we may be wise.

Forever Feasting

"I will unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God, my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" (Psalm 43:4,5). "He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15).

The world has laughter that quickly subsides;
The Lord has a joy that's exceedingly great.
I'd rather have joy that forever abides,
Than laughter that's hiding an unhappy state.

I'll go to the source of my heavenly joy,
To God and His altar at Calvary's cross.
There I will sing and my praises employ,
For saving my soul from such infinite loss.

And then I will say to my soul that's cast down,
Why do you eat at this table of gloom?
You ought to be feasting; get rid of your frown,
And come to the table of joy— there is room!

The Lord has prepared a continual feast!
Come eat of His bread and drink of His wine.
These tokens remind us His love never ceased,
And our Savior's love shall never decline!

Fountain Found

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1,2). "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death" (Proverbs 14:27).

My soul is panting as a deer
That thirsts for water brooks.
This desert has no water here,
No matter where one looks.

Yet I have found a Fountainhead,
Not from this world's well,
But in the fear of God instead
That bids us turn from hell.

This world's snares of death abound,
And all her wells are dry.
But heaven's Fountain has been found
Whose waters satisfy!

Come and satisfy your thirst
Where godly fear begins.
Flee from fountains dry and cursed,
And wash away your sins!

Familiar Friend

"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.... By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me" (Psalm 41:9,11). "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20).

This world poses as a friend,
Yet readily betrays
The one whose morals will not bend,
Conforming to its ways.

This world's friendship still, I know,
Will call me with seduction,
Yet lift its heel as my foe
And seek my soul's destruction.

I have a Friend Who cannot fail,
Who shields me with favor.
My enemy shall not prevail,
Because He is my Savior.

The wise will choose companions well
Who also love the Christ
Who rescued them from sin and hell
When He was sacrificed.

Beware of the familiar friend
That laughs and leads astray
Until your path comes to its end,
Then looks the other way.

Throng 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: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered... Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire... Lo, I come: in the volume of the Book it is written of Me.... The Lord thinketh upon me: Thou are my Help and my Deliverer" (Psalm 40:5-7, 18).

Consider the thoughts of our Lord toward us
That throng us with mercies so kind.
They cannot be reckoned; they're too numerous
To count or to grasp with our mind.

But God has selected, and thus simplified,
Some wonderful thoughts in this throng,
By showing His mercy and truth prophesied,
To give us our joyful new song!

Now in the volume of Scripture I see
His promise to die for my sin!
How precious the truth that He thinks upon me!
It's almost too much to take in!

Worth Winning

"He that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).

What is really worth our striving
That will gain the hard-won prize?
What's our purpose that is driving?
He that wins a soul is wise!

When we take the time to pause
And prayerfully prioritize,
What's our most important cause?
He that wins a soul is wise!

The ultimate reality
Is what's important in God's eyes.
What is God's priority?
He that wins a soul is wise!

Christ has so esteemed our worth
That He would suffer, die, and rise.
That is why He came to earth.
He that wins a soul is wise!

Let us then assess the soul
By what the Scripture testifies.
Read it in the Sacred Scroll:
"He that winneth souls is wise."

Gospel in the Gap

"I sought for a man among them, that they should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30). "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).

God is still searching for those who will heed
His calling to stand in gap for the land.
He's looking for those who will yet intercede,
And those who steadfastly for His name will stand.

Whom shall He find, then, to make up the hedge
And stand in the breach of the broken down wall
Where so many souls at eternity's edge
Have not yet responded to God's gracious call?

Stand in the gap while God is yet seeking
For those who are ready to share the good news.
Silence is sin when we ought to be speaking
To plead with the souls who have so much to lose!

Seasoned Servants

"And when they were come to him [Paul], he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons.... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:18,27).

God will season every servant
As He leads them on through life.
Thus He makes them faithful, fervent,
Through times of peace and times of strife.

From the first day to the last,
God is working in His own.
Every care on Him we cast,
As we trust in Him alone.

God is faithful in all seasons,
Though we falter and we fail.
Add that to your list of reasons
Why you know He will prevail.

Let us therefore never shun
To show the counsel of God's grace,
For seasons here shall soon be done,
And we shall see Him face to face.

Rather than Rubies

"Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.... for whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord" (Proverbs 8:11,35).

How shall we measure what wisdom is worth
That bids us to trust in the Lord?
It's better than rubies and all that the earth
In her hidden treasure has stored.

Better than all that the heart may desire
Is wisdom that our God prepares
For those who will seek Him; no treasure is higher!
There's nothing that even compares!

Come and explore these riches untold
As wisdom unveils God's favor.
Rather than rubies or silver or gold,
Choose wisdom, and thus find the Savior!

Sharing amid Shouting

"And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:33,34).

The world chooses not to hear
The truth that leaves no doubt.
So if a voice would make it clear,
They simply drown it out.

Those who give a clear defense
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
No matter how much evidence,
Are often just ignored.

There may be those among that crowd
To whom our God is speaking;
So while the Gospel is allowed,
We preach for those yet seeking.

The world has its angry voices
That shout with consternation.
We do not make for them their choices,
But plead for their salvation.

Commended Commandment

"My son, keep thy Father's commandment.... When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee" (Proverbs 6:20,22).

Our Father in heaven has given command
To love Him with all that's within:
With heart, soul, and strength that He gives us to stand
With every new day we begin.

Our Father's commandment should surely be kept,
For daily it leads as we walk;
It also will keep us whenever we've slept,
And when we awake it will talk.

And so God commends His commandment to us,
For He surely knows what we need.
While sleeping, when waking, and going forth thus
He will keep, He will talk, and will lead.

Global Goodness

"The Word of the Lord is right... The the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.... He spake and it was (done); He commanded and it stood fast.... Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death.... He is our Help and our Shield" (Psalm 33:4,5,9,19-20).

The goodness of God is everywhere found
In all of the earth wherever we look.
Through all of creation His glories abound,
As well as in every word in His Book.

How great are the things in the earth our Lord does,
Upholding all things by the Word of His power!
By that Word of power, He spoke and it was:
Each marvelous creature, each beautiful flower.

Yet there is a goodness beyond His creation
(Though that is enough to exhaust heaven's praise).
Come, read in His Word of His wondrous salvation:
How great is the goodness His mercy displays!

Interrupted by Instruction

"Blessed is the man... in whose spirit there is no guile... Thou art my Hiding Place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye" (Psalm 32:2,7,8).

Sometimes God may interrupt
A thing or two we say,
And though at times it seems abrupt,
We're better off that way.

Yes, even in the midst of praise
That sings of His perfection,
The Lord, in unexpected ways,
May greet us with correction.

Yet I would rather have instructions
Preserving me from trouble,
Than vain and lofty introductions
That end in moral rubble.

Thank you, Lord, for your reproof
That interrupts our style
To rescue us when we're aloof
And blinded by our guile.

Courage to Continue

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:9). "Then spake the Lord to Paul in a night vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee" (Acts 18:10,11).

Take courage, all who trust the Lord!
Don't let your heart despair.
The strength you need will be restored;
Just cast on Him your care.

Take courage! Hear what God has said:
"Be not afraid, but speak!"
Trust not yourself, but Christ instead,
And you shall not be weak.

Take courage! Give your trembling heart
To Christ, your strong Defender.
The strength He gives He will impart
When we to Him surrender.

Senseless Silence

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning 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" (Psalm 30:11,12).

How can I be silent? Why shouldn't I sing?
God has replaced my sackcloth of sadness!
The grave has been conquered! Death lost its sting!
I'm dancing with joy and I'm girded with gladness!

It doesn't make sense to go on in sorrow:
The Lord is my Savior and very best Friend!
He's always been faithful, He will be tomorrow,
And shall be forever, for days without end.

The reason for silence has vanished away;
The reason for singing is clearly in view:
Once, like a sheep, I was going astray.
Now I am saved, and I'm heaven bound too!

Bible vs. Babble

"And Paul, as his manner was... reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead, and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.... Then certain philosophers... encountered him. And some said, what will this babbler say?" (Acts 17:2,18).

The clearest message through the ages,
With evidence for its conclusion,
Is found within the Bible's pages
In contrast to this world's confusion.

Philosophers may lightly dabble
Within the Scriptures now and then,
Yet hold to philosophic babble,
Preferring words from mortal men.

Let us therefore clearly see
This world's babble in disguise,
That mocks all those who disagree,
And praises all who deem it wise.

Let the Bible take its place
Above this world's noisy chatter,
And speak with confidence and grace
Of things that shall forever matter.

Recipe for Ruin

"O Lord, my Rock, be not silent to me: lest if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down to the pit.... Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them, and not build them up" (Psalm 28:1,5). "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49).

Their idleness, indifference,
Their pride, and stomachs full
Each had wrought their consequence
In Sodom's wretched soul.

These were the ingredients,
That awful recipe,
That raged against Omnipotence,
And wrought iniquity.

Lord, we need to hear Your voice,
And not this world's seduction,
Lest we likewise make their choice
And fall by their destruction.

Let idle hands be strengthened now!
Replace indifference with love!
Instead of pride, let's humbly bow,
And find our fullness from above!

Prisoner's Priority

"And the keeper of the prison.... said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:27-31).

Life was just a hopeless prison
Until the Savior made me free.
For me He died, for me He's risen,
And He is my Priority.

The Lord could see humanity
Was hopelessly depraved.
He made us His priority,
That we might thus be saved.

So now this is our highest call,
Our great priority:
To make the Savior known to all;
He holds our prison key.

His freedom we may all receive
If we will let Him in,
And all of those who will believe
Are pardoned from their sin.

Righteous Rulers

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.... Many seek the ruler's favor, but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord" (Proverbs 29:2,26).

Lord of heaven, hear our prayer,
Though we don't deserve Your grace:
Give us rulers that prepare
To serve You in this time and place.

Many seek the ruler's favor,
But all too few are seeking God.
Give us those who love the Savior,
Not the power men applaud.

Let the ruler's of Your choice,
Come into authority
That Your people may rejoice,
As you answer thus our plea.

We're waiting, Lord, for Your return
When the trumpet blast shall sound.
Until that day we'll pray and yearn
For righteous rulers to be found.

Searching His Secrets

"What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose... The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant" (Psalm 25:12,14).

Search the secrets God has hidden
That He whispers in the ear.
All who fear the Lord are bidden
In their meekness to draw near.

Search the secrets of the ages:
Hear the voice of God today
In the Holy Scriptures' pages;
Hear what God the Lord will say.

Search the secrets of God's heart:
Hear the cause for which He came.
Search the Savior's inward part,
The love that made Him bear our shame.

Search the secrets God makes known
To everyone who fears the Lord.
Thus He bids us to His throne,
And those who seek Him He'll reward.

Charge and Challenge

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle... The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory" (Psalm 24:7-10).

Lift up your heads at last, O you gates;
And lift up your everlasting doors.
Creation is groaning and anticipates
The King shall come in and its glory restore.

Who is this King of glory proclaimed?
Why should He rule and thus enter in?
He's Jesus, above every name that is named,
Mighty in battle against death and sin.

One day He's coming to reign on this earth.
He's coming again to take sovereign control.
Yet we who now know Him acknowledge His worth,
And even now own Him as Lord of our soul.

Comforting Correction

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.... Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:1,4).

I know that I shall never lack
Whatever I shall truly need.
My Lord was faithful, looking back,
And faithfully He yet will lead.

Sometimes He will give direction,
By His staff and gentle hand;
Sometimes by His rod, correction,
That thereby I might understand.

There's more than human eye can see;
I know I have not seen the half
Of all the comfort given me
By my Shepherd's rod and staff.

Declare it Done!

"The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord that seek Him: your heart shall live forever.... A seed shall serve Him.... They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this" (Psalm 22:26,30,31).

The work is done that saves forever.
Come, declare our Savior's deed!
Mankind's very best endeavor
Never could have met our need.

Done! How sweet this one word is
That now declares the work complete,
By which the Lord declares us His,
And thereby truth and mercy meet.

There's nothing left for us to do
But live out our appreciation,
And thus declare that it is true
That Christ accomplished our salvation.

Declare His righteousness today;
Sing the praise of God the Son!
Let His seed arise and say:
Come and see what He has done!

Rejoicing in the Right

"The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (Psalm 19:8). "The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge.... That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 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 22:12,19-21).

Rejoice in the knowledge that God's word is right;
We have the certainty that His words are true!
Come, let your soul in His counsels delight
In excellent things that are written to you!

Rejoice in assurance: these prophecies written
Provide all the proof that we ever could hold!
The Lord took His place as the Lamb of God smitten;
Come, read the pages of history foretold!

Rejoice in the logic, "connecting the dots,"
For God has established His impeccable Word,
Inspiring His words and preserving His thoughts,
That we may believe in the Gospel we've heard!

Haughty Herod

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will" (Proverbs 21:1). "Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration... And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost" (Acts 12:21-23).

Herod loved to hear the praise
Of those who said he was a god.
But God would terminate his days
By worms which were His judgment rod.

Herod sat upon his throne
As if, as god, he called each shot.
But God thereafter made it known
That God was God, and he was not.

Herod never had a clue
That he would speak to his demise.
Apparently he never knew
The fear of God that makes one wise.

Herod in his haughtiness
Is not an odd, uncommon story.
How many like him won't confess
Or give to God His rightful glory!

Kept by Kindness

"Show Thy marvelous lovingkindness.... Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.... As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness" (Psalm 17:7,8).

Kept as the apple of God's watchful eye,
Hid in the shadow of His healing wings:
How sweetly these images thus testify
Of kindness that keeps us and mercy that clings.

In all of life's journey we rest in His love.
He faithfully leads us and calms every fear,
And when we are called to be with Him above,
We shall in His marvelous likeness appear.

We're saved by His grace, kept by His kindness,
And called to be witnesses in all the earth.
The world we live in is smitten with blindness,
With no source of healing without a new birth.

So let us be faithful to clearly make known:
The grace of our God has appeared to mankind.
In view of the marvelous love God has shown,
Let's pray for the healing of those who are blind.

Perfected with Purpose

"Therefore my heart is glad.... Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:9,11). "Barnabas... when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord" (Acts 11:22,23).

Let us exhort one another today
To cleave to the Lord with a purpose of heart.
Let us encourage each other to pray,
When we are together or when we're apart.

Let us draw near to our Lord's throne of grace
That we may come boldly for help in our need.
Let us together now seek our Lord's face,
As children of God whom His Spirit will lead.

This is the purpose we have from our Lord
That binds us together, perfecting our love;
This is the prize that we're pressing toward:
Our fullness of joy in His presence above.

Contradicting Contrast

"But I [Peter] said, Not so, Lord.... What was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:7,17).

Do you hear the contradiction
In what Peter's heart outpoured?
"Not so, Lord" denied conviction,
Thus confusing who was Lord.

Yet, though Peter's words were flawed,
He later changed his backward thought:
"What was I to withstand God?"
These were words the Spirit taught.

It's good to meditate awhile
On what the Word of God conveys.
"Not so, Lord" is out of style
With giving God His rightful praise.

So cause us, Lord, to be inclined
To be consistent and obey.
Revive us, Lord, renew our mind,
And teach us what we ought to say.

Heart to Hear

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1). "Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?" (Proverbs 17:16). "We are all here present before God, to hear all the things that are commanded thee of God" (Acts 10:33).

The fool has no delight to hear
The truth God would impart,
And so he simply stops his ear
And hardens thus his heart.

The fool may sound like he's sincere
And come with price in hand,
But what's the point if he won't hear
And follow God's command?

How great the contrast that we see
In those who have prepared
To listen with humility
To what God has declared.

Let us therefore likewise be
Prepared to hear and heed
And follow Christ obediently
Wherever He will lead.

Go beyond Gold

"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" (Proverbs 16:16).

We go for the medals, the silver and gold,
And those who achieve them we rightly applaud.
Yet there is a prize with a value untold
For those who obtain the approval of God.

Better is wisdom with all its rewards,
As we set our hearts on achieving its goal,
Than all of the gain that this world affords,
For what shall it profit the perishing soul?

Let’s go beyond gold in every endeavor,
Running with patience our heavenward race,
Giving the glory to God who forever
Will save us and keep us with wisdom and grace.

Source for all Seasons

"The words of the Lord are pure words" (Psalm 12:6). A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! .... The heart of the righteous studieth to answer" (Proverbs 15:23,28).

Questions often come to mind
That make us search for reason.
It's in the Word of God we find
An answer in due season.

In times of joy or times of strife
We may be called to speak.
The answers that we need in life,
God gives to those who seek.

Therefore we are called upon
To study from God's source.
For seasons come and soon are gone
As life has run its course.

Oh what a source is ours today
Where answers thus abound!
If we will study and obey,
God's wisdom shall be found.

Godliness isn't Gullible

"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going" (Proverbs 14:15).

Beware of gullibility
That masquerades as godliness:
We dare not think naivety
Is like the faith that God will bless.

The simpleton believes each word
And will not search with diligence,
While prudence weighs what she has heard
Against God's massive evidence.

Yes, evidence of things not seen
Is based on what our God has shown.
The Word of God on which we lean
Is by that evidence made known.

The evidence in prophecy,
The resurrection from the grave,
Establishes for you and me,
The faith by which our God will save.

Beware: there is no true salvation
Within a faith that's dead and blind.
Faith invites investigation,
And satisfies the heart and mind.

Scales of Scorn

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized" (Acts 9:17,18).

God has removed the scales of scorn
That kept me from seeing the glory of Christ.
The dark night is over; oh, glorious morn!
I see now the love of the Lamb sacrificed.

Once I had scorned, in my arrogant youth,
The idea that absolute truth could be known.
But God intervened, and He showed me the truth
Which He had so clearly in Jesus Christ shown.

How could I have missed it? How plain now it is!
The scales of blindness have now been removed.
I know He is mine, and I know I am His.
The evidence stands and the verdict is proved.

The witnesses speak and present their conclusion:
The prophecies written are clearly fulfilled.
The grave is still empty; there is no confusion,
Except in the minds of the stubborn, self-willed.

Right Reply

"And Saul.... fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:1-6).

The Lord will ask each sinner why,
As He once did to Saul.
He'll listen for a right reply,
As to each one He'll call.

We do not need to hear a voice
Or see a brilliant light
For us to make a prudent choice,
Responding to Him right.

The questions we should ask are two:
The first: Who are You, Lord?
And then: What will You have me do?
In honesty outpoured.

How merciful is God to those
Who rightly have replied
To Jesus Christ who died and rose
For those He justified!

Mockery of Money

"Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money" (Acts 8:20).

You may have heard that old cliché
Which says that "money talks."
But what indeed does money say?
Beware! It sometimes mocks!

Blessings money cannot buy
Are mocked by implication,
If one would even think to try
To purchase God's salvation!

If you could purchase all the earth
And all the things you cherish,
Without Christ, what are they worth?
They'll mock you when they perish.

Come to Christ by grace alone,
And thank Him for His love,
That prompted Him to leave His throne,
With blessings from above.

For God is far too rich to sell,
And we're too poor to buy
Our ransom from the depths of hell;
It's mockery to try.

Welome Words

"Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon Thee: Thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life" (Lamentations 3:57,58).

God has said "Fear not" to me,
And that is quite enough
To calm my fears, to make me free,
And smooth the pathway rough.

A billion reasons wait in line
Persuading me to fear.
What are these, since Christ is mine,
And He has drawn so near?

Oh what welcome words of grace:
"Fear not!" our God has spoken.
He pleads our cause, He makes His case,
And heals the heart that's broken.

These are welcome words indeed:
Our Lord has said, "Fear not!"
The blood of Christ shall for us plead,
For by His blood we're bought.

Morning Mercies

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my Portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him" (Lamentations 3:22-25).

The mercies of our Lord prevail;
Every one of them are true.
For His compassions do not fail;
Every morning they are new.

The treasures of the Lord are full;
They fill my cup beyond the brim.
He is my Portion, says my soul,
And therefore will I hope in Him.

The faithfulness of God is great;
We rest on His unchanging love.
The Lord is good to those who wait
And set their hearts on things above.

Ushered Upward

"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up" (Psalm 5:3).

In the morning when I rise
And ponder what the day may bring,
I will early lift my eyes
To Jesus Christ, my Lord and King.

I will offer up my prayer
And dedicate to Him the day.
I will cast on Him my care
And hear what God the Lord will say.

In the morning as I read
My thoughts are ushered to the throne
Of Him who promises to lead
Each one who trusts in Him alone.

I will open then His Word,
And all His counsel I will hear.
Oh what wisdom I have heard
As to my Lord I have drawn near!

In the early morning hour
I will pray and will look up
To God for wisdom, love and power;
He will fill my empty cup.

It will overflow the brim
With blessings that my Lord has planned,
For every blessing flows from Him,
Who leads and keeps me with His hand.

Trust or Thrust

"And Moses... they understood not... but he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a Ruler and a Judge over us?" (Acts 5:22-27).

Joseph, son of Israel,
Was sold to the Egyptians.
(Jesus Christ was sold as well,
Through similar conditions.)

Moses was not understood
The first time that he came.
His reward for doing good
Was thanklessness and shame.

These are portraits on the pages
Of our world's history,
Of Christ rejected through the ages,
By force or apathy.

It all comes down this one thing:
To trust the Lord today.
If you don't worship Christ the King,
You thrust the Lord away.

Astonishing Apathy

"Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger" (Lamentations 1:12).

Is it nothing to you,
All you who pass by?
With such sorrow in view,
Will you not wonder why?

It is here we discern
By this great devastation
That indifference will earn
In the end condemnation.

Is it nothing to you
Who pass by the cross?
Will you not think it through,
Why our Lord suffered loss?

Our Lord left His throne
To die in our place,
To ransom His own,
And to save us by grace.

Is it nothing to you
That He rose from the dead
As He promised to do,
And the prophets had said?"

Then what will it take
That your heart may be stirred?
Oh sleeper, awake
To the truth of God's Word!

Fight of Fools

"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 (i.e., Christ)... Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron" (Psalm 2:1,2). "If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:39).

Why indeed would nations fight
Against our awesome God?
He shall put them all to flight,
And break them with His rod.

Why would nations entertain
A war that can't be won?
They rage and plan, but all in vain;
Their counsel is undone.

Why are nations so unwise
In sizing up this war,
Deceiving and deceived by lies
That never worked before?

Why are sinners not inclined
To joyfully surrender,
While God is calling them to find
In Christ a sure Defender?

Why? The question is profound
That probes the rebel's thought.
Yet Christ shall nonetheless be crowned,
And bring their war to nought.

Guided by God

"We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

We ought to live in such a way
That brings God's blessing to our land,
But God alone we must obey
When there's a conflict of command.

It may not make the world applaud
When you hold fast this rule.
The world may label you as odd
And brand you as a fool.

Yet God esteems integrity,
Commending those as wise
Who live before His scrutiny,
Forsaking compromise.

How sweet is this simplicity
That clarifies our choice,
When guided by the clarity
Of heeding our God's voice.

Savior's Symphony

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.... Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 150:1,2,6).

Our God conducts the orchestration
Of His symphony of praise.
We're waiting with anticipation:
He directs each one who plays.

Thus we lift attentive eyes
To see the nod of His direction:
Praise Him in the spacious skies,
For His power and perfection.

Praise Him for His mighty acts:
In all the earth they are not hid.
Creation and the cross are facts:
Now praise the Lord for all He did!

Praise Him for His excellence,
Ascribing greatness to His name.
Our Lord deserves preeminence
For who He is and why He came.

Let each of us devote our breath
In this our Savior's symphony,
Who took away the sting of death
And robbed the grave of victory.

Singing Saints

"Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints.... For 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" (Psalm 149:1,4,5).

I have heard the invitation
From my Lord to gladly sing
His praise within the congregation
Where His saints are worshiping.

Sing, O saints! For you know well
The noblest saint is stained with sin,
And thus has earned eternal hell,
But for the grace that entered in.

Sing, for God has beautified
The sinners whom He now calls saints.
Sing! Since Christ for us has died,
Should not our joy eclipse complaints?

Sing, O saints, in joyful glory;
Sing aloud upon your bed!
Awake to find the Gospel story
Is everything our God has said!

Only One

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

One name rises, Only One,
That has the power to save:
It is the name of God the Son,
Who God the Father gave.

There is no other qualified
To save the sinful soul
Than Jesus Christ, who for us died,
To pay our debt in full.

Search the world in the past;
Search the nations now,
He is the Only One, at last,
To whom each knee shall bow.

Every tongue shall then confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
The Only One whose righteousness
Salvation can afford.

Discerning His Delight

"He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy" (Psalm 147:10,11). "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).

What could we give to the Lord of creation
That He could not have by just wishing it true?
Come to His cross where He wrought your salvation
Because He delighted so greatly in you.

The Lord is not thrilled over temporal gain;
The strength of a horse or a man He won't treasure.
Such favor deceives; its beauty is vain,
Yet all those who fear Him, in them He takes pleasure.

Refreshing and Restitution

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom heaven must receive unto the times of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:19-21).

The times of refreshing in Christ are now here.
The times of restoring all things is ahead.
Refreshing salvation right now is brought near;
Then Christ shall return and shall reign as He said.

Now is the time when refreshing is sent.
Now is the day to receive Christ the Lord.
His Spirit is pleading with souls to repent
Before judgment comes and His reign is restored.

Come to the Savior; now cast aside doubt.
Come while He bids you, before it's too late.
Come that your sins may be thus blotted out.
Why should the times of refreshing now wait?

Parted for Pardon

"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). "I will pardon them whom I reserve" (Jeremiah 50:20). "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40).

Who indeed has God reserved
For pardon by His grace?
Grace, we know, is not deserved
In all the human race.

What then is the basis for
God setting us apart?
It's not that one deserves it more,
But a true, repentant heart.

The Lord is near to all that call,
That call on Him in truth.
Rich and poor, come, one and all,
The elder and the youth.

Save yourself, then, from this age,
A wicked generation
That yet against the Lord will rage
And spurn His great salvation.

Be parted from the dreadful path
Of those whose hearts are hardened,
Who willfully are choosing wrath,
Instead of being pardoned.

Hints on Happiness

"That there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 144:14,15).

Here's a couple hints for achieving happiness:
First of all, be grateful, though others may complain.
Secondly, be mindful that our God would choose to bless
The very ones whose sinfulness has caused our Savior pain.

Happy is that people that is found in such a case!
Yes, happy is that people who belong to Jesus Christ.
He is that Fountainhead of our happiness and grace.
He is the Lamb of God who for us was sacrificed.

Beware of the Boast

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1).

Boast not yourself in the things of tomorrow.
Seize every moment God gives you today.
Procrastination will surely breed sorrow
And rob you of riches for those who obey.

Beware of the boast that assumes you can wait
To bank on a future that's not guaranteed.
Act in the present, before it's too late,
To say today's word, and to do today's deed.

Calling and Caring

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.... I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul" (Psalm 142:3,4).

Lord, as I think of my troubling youth,
When so overwhelmed by the prospect of wrath,
Searching in vain for the knowledge of truth,
You cared for my soul and You then knew my path.

I looked on my right hand for someone to care;
No one would know me; none cared for my soul.
I called out to You, Lord, in desperate prayer:
You heard me, You answered, and You made me whole.

You were the One, Lord, who prompted my heart
To search for a refuge, and find it in You.
You warned me and wooed me that You might impart
A hunger within me to know what is true.

The truth of Your holiness taught me Your fear.
The truth of Your kindness then taught me Your love.
I called, and You cared, and You brought me so near,
That You'll not be closer (though clearer) above.

Triumphant Trust

"Mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute" (Psalm 141:8).

My eyes are fixed upon You, Lord,
My God in whom I safely trust,
My Strength, my Shield, and my Sword,
Who justifies me and is Just.

Where else can I put my trust?
Not in mortal man who dies!
I shall not put my faith in dust,
But on the Lord I'll fix my eyes.

My soul shall not be destitute;
I trust the One who cannot fail.
For by His grace I shall bear fruit,
And by His power shall prevail.

Wise in the War

"O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle" (Psalm 140:7). By wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6). "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood" (Jeremiah 48:10).

God will never sound retreat
Nor call for compromise.
It is the counsel of deceit
That counsels otherwise.

The battle rages on today;
We have the Spirit's sword.
Cursed is he who turns away
From following the Lord.

Christ will lead in victory
In the battlefield of souls.
There is a calm security
In knowing He controls.

We follow on where Christ has led,
Where the battle has been stirred.
The helmet that protects our head
Is the promise of His Word.

Leading of the Lord

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139:9,10). "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me... unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:20).

It matters not where I may be,
As I am sent to do God's will,
If I should go beyond the sea,
Lord, even there You'll lead me still.

In every place You send me, Lord,
Your presence there shall make me stand.
What confidence You thus afford,
As I am held by Your right hand.

So whether I am here at home
Or whether I am sent abroad,
I need not fear, nor would I roam,
As I am following my God.

Which Words?

"Behold, I have sworn by My great name, saith the Lord... and all the remnant... shall know whose words shall stand: Mine or theirs" (Jeremiah 44:26,28). "That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 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, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:19-21).

God has sworn by His great name
And staked His spotless reputation
On each fulfillment of His claim
Of judgment and His great salvation.

Yet His words have met the foe
Who mocks the truth that God declares.
Very soon, though, all shall know
Which will stand: His words or theirs.

And thereby God will validate
His words of truth with certainty.
And thus His name He'll vindicate
For time and all eternity.

Larger Love

"Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?" He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto Him, Feed My lambs.... Feed my sheep" (John 21:15,16).

More than friends you want to please,
More than things that men applaud,
More than temporary ease,
Do you love these more than God?

More than things this world treasures,
More than all its vain reward,
More than all its passing pleasures,
Do you love your precious Lord?

If these things distract your heart
Diminishing for Christ your love
It's time to set yourself apart
To focus on the things above.

Then mindful of what Jesus did,
And mindful too of Who He is,
Turn with love that can't hid,
To feed the sheep that He calls His.

Reason for the Record

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through His name" (John 20:30,31).

The reason for the Book of John
Is that you truly might believe
That Jesus Christ is God the Son,
Whom humble sinners may receive.

The reason for this Gospel written
In this record that John gave,
Is to know that Christ was smitten
As the Lamb of God to save.

The reason that we have this Book
That tells why Christ our Savior came,
Is that believing, you might look,
And thus have life through Jesus' name.

Naming Names

"The sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.... Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master" (John 20:15-16).

Put yourself in Mary's place
When to the empty tomb she came;
As well you should, for it is grace
That calls you also by your name.

Is this hard for you to do,
Assuming that it's not the same,
Seeming too good to be true
That Jesus calls you by your name?

Then hear again your Shepherd's voice
Who calls and leads His sheep by name;
Then let your heart in Him rejoice
Whose blood has washed away your shame.

Mary, David, Cindy, Frank;
Yes, the names go on and on.
Hear your name, return, and thank
The Lord of Richard, Lisa, John.

Have you heard your name today
When you spoke to God in prayer?
If you listen when you pray,
You will hear it then and there.

Resurrection Run

"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher. Then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved.... Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher" (John 20:1-4).

Follow Mary Magdalene
On that resurrection day
When the sepulcher was seen
Where the stone was rolled away.

Follow closely, if you can,
And pick your pace up to a run,
For Mary, with excitement, ran
And thus the thrill had just begun.

Peter and another heard,
And by that news they ran their race,
Investigating Mary's word,
Examining that vacant place.

He is risen! Praise the Lord!
How this thrilled the brokenhearted
As they raced with joy toward
The tomb from which our Lord departed!

Oh may that joy our hearts revive
That we may run with joy and fear,
Proclaiming that He is alive
And His return is drawing near!

Fearless Fellowship

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). "Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus.... And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night" (John 19:38,39).

Oh, how good the common ground
Where fearless fellowship is found,
Where love for Christ fills heart and mind,
And fear of man is left behind!

Oh, how pleasant is the tie
Of brethren who can testify
That Jesus Christ has drawn them near
And by His love has cast out fear.

Oh, how gracious is our Lord
Who unifies us with the cord,
Of love, of light, and life in Christ
Secured when He was sacrificed.

Oh, how thrilling, most of all,
That our Lord Jesus Christ would call
Each one of His to come and dine,
And each can say that He is mine.

Keep your King

"The Jews cried out saying, If thou let this Man go, thou art not Caesar's friend... Pilate, saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:14,15).

Let this world have their king,
And to that master keep their vow.
I would surrender everything
To Christ my Lord and Savior now.

Keep your king; I'll have no part
Of compromise as Caesar's friend.
I do not owe to him my heart,
Nor would I on his help depend.

What is Caesar's I will render,
But loyalty belongs to Christ.
All to Jesus I'd surrender,
Who for my soul was sacrificed.

Keep your king, then, if you must,
And thus decide your destiny.
As for me I'll put my trust
In Christ Who gave Himself for me.

Ignorance of Impudence

"Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest Thou not unto me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above" (John 19:10,11).

The Mighty God, the great I Am,
Omniscient and omnipotent,
Was willing as the silent Lamb
To stand before the ignorant.

For such was Pilate's impudence
And ignorance in that dark hour,
That questioned Jesus' competence
To know the limits of his power.

But impudence and ignorance
Were tolerated by our Lord,
For nothing then was left to chance
When God unsheathed His judgment's sword.

That awful sword that heaven gave
Into the sinner's wicked hand,
Would be God's instrument to save,
As only He could understand.

What wisdom, what omnipotence,
And love brought forth our precious Savior,
Who suffered there in our defense,
For us enduring such behavior!

Try Truth

"Pilate saith unto Him, What is truth?" (John 18:38).

The urgent question of the ages,
Indeed, of all eternity,
Posed by philosophic sages
Is worth our scrutiny.

Pilate asked it on that day
When facing Jesus eye to eye:
What is truth? Then turned away,
Without hearing God's reply.

And thus it is the same today.
Each of us must make a choice
To hear the truth that God will say,
Then also to obey His voice.