Ways of the Wise

"We will rejoice in Thy salvation… Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:5,7).  "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom… The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).  "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:5,6). 

The wise will rejoice in salvation,

Exalting the Lord Jesus Christ,

Recalling His humiliation

When He was for us sacrificed. 

True wisdom belongs to the humble

Who run to the Savior to hide,

But fools in their arrogance stumble,

Led forth into judgment by pride.   

The way of escape from our sins

Is found by receiving the Savior,

And thereby the laborer wins  

The souls that are saved by God's favor. 

Lord, as You examine our ways,

Transform us that we may be wise,

Redeeming the time in our days

With truth that Your Gospel supplies.  

Declare vs. Diminish

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork… Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world… Let the words of my mouth… be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD" (Psalm 19:1,4,14).  "Thus saith the LORD… All the words that I command… speak unto them; diminish not a word" (Jeremiah 26:2).  "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another… all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:16,17).

The heavens still declare the glory

Of God who put the stars in space. 

Let us who know our Savior's story

Diminish not His words of grace. 

May God find us acceptable

As we obey Him as we ought,

Declaring words that warn each soul,

From which we should diminish not. 

The Gospel is our declaration

Of grace and truth that freely came

By Jesus Christ through His salvation;

There is no other saving name.

O Lord, as we declare Your Word,

Which You command to not diminish,

We sow the seed and rest assured;

The good work You begin You finish. 

Truly Loving our Triumphant Lord

"I will love thee, O LORD, my Strength… Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great" (Psalm 18:1,35).  "And you, being dead in your sins… hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us… nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:13-15). 

How right it is to truly love

The Lord who gave Himself for us! 

For us He left His throne above,

He died, and rose victorious.

How good it is for us to yield

To Christ who gently leads His sheep!

He is our Savior and our Shield;

His love is infinitely deep.

How hopeless we would surely be

If Jesus Christ had not been led

By His own love to set us free

And raise us who in sin were dead. 

Triumphant Lord, as we now view

The blood-bought souls which had been cursed,

We join them, truly loving You

Because You truly loved us first!  

Marvelous Mercy

"Show Thy marvelous lovingkindness, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand them which put their trust in Thee… Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings" (Psalm 17:7,8).  "Whoso findeth Me… shall obtain favor of the LORD" (Proverbs 8:35).  "I will give them an heart to know Me… and they shall be My people" (Jeremiah 24:7).  "The Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light… delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Colossians 1:12,13). 

The love of God is marvelous,

Much more that we can understand!

Beneath His wings He shelters us

And saves us with His nail-scarred hand. 

The mercy that we need to find

Abounds in Jesus Christ our Savior. 

There is no other love so kind,

Extending heaven's blood-bought favor! 

God gives to us a heart to know

And love our Savior Jesus Christ,

Who gave Himself to thus bestow

His grace when He was sacrificed. 

O Lord, how marvelous You are,

Displaying mercy as You do

To draw us near who once were far,

That we may ever dwell with You.  

Pleasant Places

"The LORD is the Portion of mine inheritance… The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.  I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel" (Psalm 16:5-7).  "My son, keep My words… and My law as the apple of thine eye" (Proverbs 7:1,2).  "He that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully" (Jeremiah 23:28).  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true… honest… just… pure… lovely… of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). 

How pleasantly the lines now fall

That mark my blessings, line by line:

In Jesus Christ, I have it all,

Since I am His, and He is mine! 

I have the counsel of My Lord,

The words of truth that make me free. 

In keeping them, there's great reward. 

I'm called to speak them faithfully. 

His words are a refreshing well

From which my soul may freely drink. 

These blessings, more than one can tell,

Are mine as on His Word I think. 

O Lord, how pleasant are the places

That You have called me to explore!

My heart with gratitude embraces

This heritage forevermore!