Minor for the Maker

"All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.... Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name" (Psalm 96:5,8). "Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee... The Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is His name, great in counsel, and mighty in work: for Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give everyone according to his ways.... Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:17,26,27).

Give to the Lord the glory He's due.
He stretched out the heavens; He made the stars too.
The earth hangs upon His invisible cord:
Behold, there is nothing too hard for the Lord!

The nations have idols with eyes that can't see.
The Lord's eyes are open; He sees you and me.
He gives all who trust Him salvation's reward.
Behold, there is nothing too hard for the Lord!

His Works in His World

"Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell? Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:4,5). "Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18).

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has given our universe birth?
Who bound the waters in garments of mists?
Who has established the ends of the earth?

Who has ascended to heaven above?
And who has descended? He's one and the same!
For God sent His Son to redeem us in love.
He rose as He promised! We trust in His name!

Treasures of Truth

"The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.... In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul" (Psalm 94:11,19). "For men shall be.... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.... But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and been assured of.... from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:2,7,14-16).

The thoughts of man can be so vain,
So blind to truth God makes so plain.
Yes, ever learning, yet not able
To know what's truth and what is fable.

How different is God's gracious Word:
Its treasures hold His truth assured!
They chasten me, yet make me whole;
They comfort and delight my soul.

Weakness of Waves

"The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea" (Psalm 93:3,4).

The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.
Yet in spite of all their noise,
Our Lord on high still saves.

The waves with all their crashing sounds,
That threaten condemnation,
Have no force, where grace abounds,
To weaken our salvation.

The Ground of Grace

"Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (Jeremiah 31:2,3).

Grace in the wilderness! Oh what a find!
Here we are given rest and peace of mind!
God's love everlasting is grounds for His grace;
The shadow He's casting is our resting place.

David's Delight

"Because He hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him" (Psalm 91:14). "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4). "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, which shall fulfill all My will" (Acts 13:22).

O Lord, what is man, that You mark his delight,
Rejoicing when he sets his love upon You?
Are not angels greater, who stand in Your sight,
Waiting to hear what You want them to do?

And Lord, who was David, that You found in his heart,
A hunger to know You and do what You say?
Lord, look to me also! Create and impart
A heart after Yours that will humbly obey!

The Secret of Seeking

"And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).

What is the secret to seeking God's face?
Why does it seem that He's sometimes concealed?
Keep asking, and knocking, and seeking for grace
With all of your heart, and He shall be revealed.

What is the secret to finding God's will?
Why does it seem so illusive to find?
God tends to wait for that moment until
We're searching with all of our heart, soul, and mind.

The Lord won't Lie

"Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David" (Psalm 89:35).

Our God has sworn He will not lie;
What a loving thing to do!
For surely neither you nor I
Should doubt His Word is true!

And yet our God knows just how frail
Our faith at times can be.
And so He swears He will not fail,
And that's enough for me!

What Was I?

"What was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:17).

What was I to withstand God?
What chance had I to stay His hand?
What way could I escape His rod
Which must fulfill His Law's demand?

What was I to withstand God?
What was He to rescue me?
What was my life but sinful, flawed,
That Christ would die to set me free?

What was I to withstand God?
A fool to think I had control!
God knew the woeful path I trod,
And met me there to save my soul.

Spread the Springs

"And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest Himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well as the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee" (Psalm 87:5-7). "They go from strength to strength; every one of them in Zion appeareth before God... For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:7,11).

Spread the news of Zion's springs!
Each citizen of Zion sings:
Praise be to the King of kings
Who gave to us new birth!

Let Zion's singers lift their sound,
And spread the Gospel all around.
Let grace and glory thus abound,
And sing our Savior's worth.

Let Zion's springs be spread abroad!
Let's go from strength to strength with God!
Let all humanity applaud
The Savior of the earth!

Tenderly Tamed

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart" (Psalm 86:11,12).

Unite now my heart, Lord, to fear Your name.
Search me and know me, exposing my shame.
What is dividing my heart? Purge the same!
This heart prone to wander, Lord, tenderly tame.

Unite now my heart, Lord, and teach me Your way.
Teach me to walk in Your truth everyday.
With all of my heart, Lord, I'll praise You and pray,
For a heart that is tenderly tamed to obey.

Don't Diminish

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak ... all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word" (Jeremiah 26:2).

The Gospel of God is complete;
We dare not diminish a word.
And why would we want to deplete,
The wonderful message we've heard?

Omit neither heaven nor hell;
Speak about judgment to come.
Preach of God's mercy as well,
By all means, that He may save some.

Visit the Valley

"Blessed are they who dwell in Thy house: they will still be praising Thee ... who, passing through the valley of Baca (lit., tears), make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools" (Psalm 84:4,6).

Pass through the valley of tears
With the good news God gives you to tell,
For a land that has thirsted for years
Will find in the Gospel a well.

Spring up, O well, fill the pools;
Come down, rains of heaven, to bless!
Fill up the hearts where Christ rules
With the comfort of His faithfulness.

Quality Questions

"And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus ... And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:5,6).

Who are You, Lord, and what shall I do?
These are quality questions in view.
The answers from heaven are still clear as day:
Jesus is Lord! Receive Him today!

Going to Gaza

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way the goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he rose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia... sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot" (Acts 8:26-29).

Go down to Gaza? Whatever for?
Are not there others who need to hear more?
Yet surely the Spirit of God knows why.
Go down to Gaza— you'll know by and by.

The Preaching that Prevails

"The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. 'What is the chaff to the wheat?' saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:28).

False prophets will dream,
And their falsehood proclaim.
God's Word is supreme,
So preach in His name.

For what is the chaff
When compared to the wheat?
God's power will laugh,
And His purpose complete.

Sight of the Son

"Let Thy hand be upon the Man of Thy right hand, upon the Son of Man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself... Turn us again, O Lord of hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved" (Psalm 80:17,19). "But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55,56).

What a sight that Stephen saw!
Filled with wonder, joy, and awe,
Heaven opened, see Him stand,
Jesus Christ, at God's right hand.

Turn us, Lord, to see as well,
That One who saved our souls from hell.
For then, and only then, can we
Live out the truth that makes free.

Refuge and Righteousness

"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge" (Proverbs 14:26). "They shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.... A King shall reign and prosper... and this is the name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:4-6).

Our Refuge and our Righteousness:
Oh what a glorious King!
He reigns to comfort and to bless;
We lack not anything!

We bow the knee, and we confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
He is indeed our Righteousness,
Our Refuge, and Reward.

Limiting the Lord

"Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not His hand, nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy" (Psalm 78:41,42).

The hand of God is not constrained,
Except by stubborn sinfulness;
As when His people once complained
When in the desert wilderness.

For they remembered not His hand,
His deliverance from terror.
Let us observe, and understand,
Lest we follow in their error.

Wonders of His Works

"I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings" (Psalm 77:11,12).

I will recall what God has done,
The wonders He has shown,
The victories that He has won,
His power He made known.

I'll meditate on days of old,
I'll talk of His creation.
And yet the greatest work that's told,
Is that of His salvation.

Fearful Fight

"Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands... And I Myself will fight against you" (Jeremiah 21:4,5). "If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:39).

Foolish, fearful, feeble fight!
To war with God is folly's height!
Oh sinner turn, find terms of peace;
Let your war with God now cease!

The terms of peace have all been set.
The holy claims of God are met.
For Jesus Christ was crucified,
And God is thereby satisfied.

Drop your weapons! Come surrender,
That Christ may now be your Defender.
Come now, you who hear His voice!
Tomorrow may not grant that choice.

Go with the Gospel

"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life" (Acts 5:20).

Share truth that makes us free; speak all the words of life.
Go in spite of mockery, of hatred, and of strife.
It is enough that God commands His messengers to go.
For such a time as this demands that everyone should know.

Build our Boldness

"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word" (Acts 4:29).

Behold the threats of this vain world,
Its falsehood taught, and scorning hurled.
And grant us boldness, Lord, we pray,
To speak Your Word, while still we may.

Situated in the Sanctuary

"It was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end .... So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast held me by my right hand .... Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none on the earth that I desire beside Thee .... God is the Strength of my heart, and my Portion forever" (Psalm 73:16-26). "A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary" (Jeremiah 17:12).

Come aside with me and tarry.
Come into God's sanctuary.
For until I went into this place
Of stillness where I wait for grace—
That place where God invites His own,
At His eternal, glorious throne—
I could not rightly understand
That God has always held my hand.

Nor could I see this world's end,
Nor view the judgment God will send.
I saw my folly there as well;
And but for grace, my end was hell.
But now my Portion is the Lord.
He's worthy to be thus adored:
In heaven, Lord, there's none so fair,
And none on earth with You compare!

Heal my Heart

"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise" (Jeremiah 17:14).

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed.
Save me, and I shall be saved.
This is the promise Your Spirit has sealed;
This is the wholeness I've craved.

Habitation of Hope

"Be Thou my strong Habitation, whereunto I may continually resort .... For Thou art my Hope, O Lord God: Thou art my Trust from my youth .... O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works" (Psalm 71:3,5,17).

Lord, You are my Habitation,
My Refuge from all doubt.
I ran to You for my salvation,
And You never cast me out.

You are my Hope continually;
You have been from my youth.
You are the Truth that makes me free;
Lord, help me share Your Truth.

Hasten to Help

"I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God, Thou art my Help and my Deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying" (Psalm 70:5).

Hasten to help me, my Lord and my God!
I may need Your staff; I may need Your rod.
You surely know best what I need every hour.
I'll wait for Your wisdom, Your love, and Your power.

Lord of Liberty

Independence Day

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh ... And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit .... And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:17-21). "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17). "He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He hath poured out His soul unto death" (Isaiah 53:12). "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (Leviticus 25:10).

To high and to low, to rich and to poor,
Our God will pour out of His Spirit.
And He is dividing the spoils of war;
Let all the inhabitants hear it!

The battle was fought at Calvary,
Where Jesus our Lord overcame!
The spoils: salvation and liberty,
To all who will call on His name!

Load from the Lord

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah" (Psalm 68:19).

Benefits from Christ our Lord
Are heaped on us each day.
Blessings we could not afford,
Nor ever could repay.

Let us then live gratefully
In view of all He gives.
And share the truth the makes us free,
Because our Savior lives.

Purposeful Power

"God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah. That Thy way may be know upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations" (Psalm 67:1,2). "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

There is a purpose for the power
God has given for this hour.
It's not for self-infatuation,
But for sharing His salvation.

Feed the Flock

"Lift up your eyes .... Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?" (Jeremiah 13:20). "So when they had dined Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, 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.... Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). "Feed the flock of God which is among you" (1 Peter 5:2).

We hear the voice of God above:
Where's the flock I gave to you?
Feed My sheep with tender love,
If you would show your love is true.