Remember the Rod

"The LORD spake unto Moses, saying… It shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom… Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels" (Number 17:1-10).  "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God… that ought to be feared" (Psalm 76:11).  "The memory of the Just is blessed" (Proverbs 10:7).  "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth forever and ever" (Revelation 4:10). 

When Aaron's rod had brought forth fruit

(A portrait of Christ's resurrection),

The choice of God was absolute

To show the priest of His selection. 

The rebels, seeing Aaron's rod,  

Which blossomed forth (unlike their own),

Were in this way reproved by God

Who made His choice concretely known. 

These portraits still instruct us now,

As we recall our risen Savior,  

Our King to whom we rightly vow

To show our love with our behavior. 

Lord Jesus, we remember You

Like Aaron's rod in separation.

You did what no one else could do: 

You died and rose for our salvation! 

Departing from Danger

"[Moses] spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men… lest ye be consumed in all their sins" (Numbers 16:26).  "God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:7).  "If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it" (Proverbs 9:12).  "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).

There was a day when wicked men

Rebelled against God's chosen path,

And those whom they persuaded then

Were all in danger of God's wrath. 

It was not Moses whom they scorned,

But rather God, the Judge of all. 

Now let the scorner be forewarned

By this example we recall. 

The ignorance of condemnation

Endangers many souls today

Who will refuse the Lord's salvation

To follow those who go astray. 

O Lord, how fearful is the danger

When sinners won't depart from sin!  

Though now to such You are a Stranger,

We plead with them to let You in.  

Ribbon to Remind

"The LORD spake… in the borders of their garments… put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue… that ye may remember, and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God" (Numbers 15:37-40).  "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psalm 74:12).  "Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates" (Proverbs 8:34).  "Thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works" (Revelation 2:4,5). 

There was a ribbon that was blue

That people in the desert wore

Reminding them that they should do

Whatever God had said before. 

Just like the ribbon they would bind

On garments in the desert sands,

The Word of God should now remind

Our hearts to follow His commands. 

As daily we recall our King  

Who gave Himself for our salvation,

We are constrained by love to bring

A heart renewed with consecration. 

Lord, bind the ribbon to our heart

To lift our eyes to You above,

Reproving us when we depart,

Returning us to our first love!  

Drawing Near in the Dark Night

"I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand... It is good for me to draw near to God… that I may declare all Thy works" (Psalm 73:23-28).  "My son… lay up My commandments with thee… in the black and dark night" (Proverbs 7:1,9).  "Jesus Christ, who… loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood… laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Revelation 1:5,17,18).

Now drawing near to God I find

He's held my right hand, night and day,

Yes, even when I was inclined

In foolishness to go astray. 

He gives me His commands of love

To guide me in His path with light. 

He intercedes for me above

And leads me through the darkest night. 

It's good to worship Jesus Christ

Who shed His blood to save my soul,

Who for my sins was sacrificed,

And paid redemption's price in full. 

How good it is, Lord, to draw near

Now in the dark night on this path

Where You have called me not to fear,

Since You have rescued me from wrath.  

Caleb was Correct

"Caleb stilled the people… and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.  But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we" (Numbers 13:30,31).  "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof... shall flourish like grass of the earth" (Psalm 72:16).  "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling… to the only wise God our Savior be glory" (Jude 1:24,25). 

The Lord had given His command

And surely made His purpose clear

Pertaining to the promised land;

There was, therefore, no cause to fear. 

So Caleb's counsel then was right,

Though some contended he was wrong,

For he was trusting in God's might

To overcome those who were strong. 

The foes of Christ may loudly scorn

The true disciples in His hand,

Yet they shall flourish like the corn

Of Gospel truth in every land.   

O Lord, as Caleb was correct

To trust in You and heed Your calling,

We look to You to now direct

And likewise keep our feet from falling.