Truth in the Trying

“O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me… For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether… Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:1-24).  “The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings” (Proverbs 5:21). 

The psalmist knows that, from the start,

The Lord has searched him, yet he prays

That God would search and know his heart,

And trying him, expose his ways.

The psalmist is consistent here   

In this request to search him thus.

Our ways TO GOD are surely clear,

Yet trials make them clear TO US. 

Before our thought becomes a word,

Before our way becomes an act,

The Lord examines and has heard

The attitude before the fact. 

The psalmist recognizes this:

We all fall short of God’s perfection.

The sinful ways we would dismiss,

The Lord exposes for correction.

O Lord, our ways before Your eyes

Are often from our vision hid.

Our heart so often justifies

The sinful things we said and did!

We thank You, Lord, that You expose

Our ways that You so clearly see.

By trying us, You thus disclose  

The truth that also makes us free.

Perfecting my Path

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me… The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me” (Psalm 138:7,8).  “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.  When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble… The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day… Ponder the path of thy feet” (Proverbs 4:11-26).

Though I walk in the midst of a difficult path

My Lord will be there to revive and restore.

The Lord by His mercy has saved me from wrath,

And He is the One who perfects me still more. 

The Lord is instructing my heart to be humble;

He leads in the way of His wisdom each day.

He calls me to patiently run and not stumble

By heeding His counsel to watch and to pray.

The Lord has been faithful to lead me aright 

In paths of His righteousness for His name’s sake.

In this world’s darkness, His path shines with light

That perfectly leads me and makes no mistake.

O Lord, as I ponder the path of my feet,  

I see You’re perfecting my path by Your love.

I’m finding Your pathway increasingly sweet

That leads to the joy of Your presence above. 

Singing in our Situation

“How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?” (Psalm 137:4).  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

It’s easy to sing in a glad situation,

But sometimes we walk in the valley of sorrows.

Behold now the Rock of our soul’s elevation:

In Christ there is joy through eternal tomorrows!

So how can we sing the Lord’s song in this land

Where many are strangely refusing God’s grace

And multitudes willfully don’t understand

The Source of our blessings bestowed on this place?

And how shall we sing in a land so confused

Forgetting that God is Author of peace?

There once was a time when the Bible was used

For counsel by which opposition would cease.

Look up!  There is joy in our Savior and King!

He still is the Ruler of each circumstance.

The Lord is our reason at all times to sing;

We’re trusting in Jesus, and not in blind chance.

We thank You, O Lord, for the joy You impart

That gives us a song and a light on our path.

In each situation there’s peace in our heart,

Since You have redeemed us and saved us from wrath.

Obvious Omnipotence

“Ten kings… receive power as kings one hour with the beast... These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:12-14). 

The climax of the battle rages;

The kings combine their best defense.

The moment comes, the fight engages:

It’s man against Omnipotence.

In just one verse, the fight is done.

They’ve made their war with Christ the Lamb.

No foe remains, not even one: 

They have engaged the great I Am!

It is insanity that brings

These beast-led armies with their hordes

To fight against the King of kings,

And rage against the Lord of lords!

Omnipotence is obvious,

Yet rebels think that they can win!

We see them now surrounding us,

As blasphemy is fueled by sin.

O Lord, we see our need today

To see things from Your point of view,

To hear Your voice, to watch and pray,

And draw more closely now to You.

O Lord, for such a time as this,

We would be bolder every hour,

Persuading those who yet dismiss

Your obvious display of power.

O send us, Lord, of our salvation,

To teach them also of Your grace

That yet extends Your invitation

To find in You a Hiding Place.

Tenderly Turning

“Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof… I also have heard thee, saith the LORD” (2 Kings 22:19).  “Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23).  “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9). 

The eyes of God are searching still

To find the hearts that will be tender

With readiness to do His will

That turn to Him in true surrender.

The Spirit of our God is poured

On those who turn at His reproof.

Yet many still blaspheme the Lord,

And hardened hearts will stand aloof.

The Lord now speaks against this place

And the inhabitants thereof

Who yet reject His saving grace,

Refuse His Word, and spurn His love.

Lord, thank You in these troubled days

As blasphemy is widely heard,

That You still hear the heart that prays

And tenderly will heed Your Word.