Knowing and Kneeling

"LORD, who shall… dwell in Thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart" (Psalm 15:1,2).  "My son, keep Thy father's commandment… it shall lead thee… keep thee… talk with thee" (Proverbs 6:20-22).  "Josiah king of Judah… judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know Me? saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 22:11,16).  "That I may know Him… I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:10,14). 

When kneeling at God's holy hill

To worship Him and seek His face,

We find the strength to do His will

And grow in knowledge of His grace. 

To know Him is to do His pleasure

And find delight in His command. 

His Word shall be our daily treasure,

And He shall lead us with His hand. 

Josiah, king of Judah, knew

His Lord would be their strong Defender  

As they did what they ought to do,

Obeying God with glad surrender. 

Lord, to our calling now we press

To know You and to make You known

As You lead us in righteousness

And we are kneeling at Your throne.  

People Pondered

"The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God… There is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:2,3).  "The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings" (Proverbs 5:21).  "Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death" (Jeremiah 21:8).  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who… humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). 

The Lord looked down from heaven's height

To see if there was even one

Who did what God declared was right: 

Alas, He saw that there was none!

The Savior knows that we have wandered

Like sheep who all have gone astray,

For all our ways by Him are pondered,  

Yet there is hope for us today.

Both life and death are set before us,

And God is urging all to choose

Salvation from our Lord victorious,

Which only fools will yet refuse. 

We were the people pondered, Lord,

Who would have suffered endless loss! 

The choice that we could not afford

You purchased for us on the cross! 

Burning in my Bones

"I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation" (Psalm 13:5,6).  "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 not at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:18,19).  "I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name.  But His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay" (Jeremiah 20:9).  "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

I've trusted in the only Savior;

In His salvation I rejoice. 

I shall declare His loving favor

As long as I may lift my voice. 

His path is as the shining light

And as a fire in my bones,

For God has seen the sinner's plight,

And He has heard their  hopeless groans. 

Shall I forebear to speak God's Word

To those approaching condemnation? 

Should not my heart instead be stirred

To show the way of His salvation? 

O Lord, give me a heart discerning

With words in season that explain

The Gospel in my bones yet burning:  

To live is Christ; to die is gain.  

Precious Preservation

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever" (Psalm 12:6,7).  "Let thine heart keep My commandments… write them upon the table of thine heart" (Proverbs 3:1,3).  "They have hardened their necks, that they might not hear My words" (Jeremiah 19:15).  "Put on the whole armor of God… and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:11,17). 

The words of God are very pure

Which He conveyed by inspiration,

And by His promise they endure;

How precious is this preservation! 

The Lord has given His commands

To trust, to treasure, and obey.

Forevermore His counsel stands;

His words shall never pass away. 

Though some resist Him and are hardened,

They do so to their detriment,

Refusing, sadly, to be pardoned

Because they choose to not repent. 

This precious preservation, Lord,

Of words with Your authority

Equips us with Your Spirit's sword,

Your Gospel truth that makes us free! 

Foundational Fear

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?... The LORD'S… eyelids try the children of men" (Psalm 11:3,4).  "My son... understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God… that thou mayest walk in the way of good men" (Proverbs 2:1-5,20).  "They said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart" (Jeremiah 18:12).  "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15,16). 

There is a calling that is wise,

Foundational to all that's true: 

We walk before God's searching eyes

To honor Him in all we do.

This is our basic understanding

Of any measure of success: 

We fear the Lord and His commanding

To walk in paths of righteousness. 

Though many say, "There is no hope!"

And in their own devices wander,

We dare not slide upon that slope

Which we, with circumspection, ponder. 

On this foundation, Lord, we climb:  

We walk with You in godly fear

As we redeem the precious time

And see Your coming drawing near.  

Hearing and Healing the Heart

"LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear" (Psalm 10:17).  "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).  "I the LORD search the heart… Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise" (Jeremiah 17:10,14).  "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption " (Ephesians 4:30). 

The Lord hears our deepest desire. 

He prompts us with His preparation

To go to the Rock that is higher

For healing that comes with salvation. 

The heart that is humble will fear

And turn at the Savior's command. 

His Spirit will make His words clear,

And healing will come from God's hand. 

The Lord searches all of our ways,

Examining everyone's heart. 

The humble will thank Him with praise

For healing that He will impart. 

Lord, thank You for hearing and healing

Our hearts by Your indwelling Spirit

With truth You are daily revealing

To those who desire to hear it.