Affliction with Affection

"Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, according unto Thy Word.... Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word.... It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes" (Psalm 119:65,67,71). "God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day" (Genesis 50:20).

In retrospect I clearly see,
O Lord, You have dealt well with me.
You know that I am prone to stray,
But You have led me all the way.

You used affliction with affection,
When I needed Your correction.
Just as a loving Father would,
You meant and brought it for my good.

Yield Yourselves

"Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13).

Yield yourselves alive unto God;
Submit to His loving correction.
The comfort of His staff and rod
Will conform us to His perfection.

Yield yourselves in identification,
As risen with Jesus, just as He is.
This is the substance of our salvation;
This is the evidence that we are His.

Songs and Sorrow

"Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage" (Psalm 119:53,54).

The Gospel gives an even mixture
Inspiring both songs and sorrow;
For this is God's dividing fixture
In eternity's long tomorrow.

Horror thus takes hold of me
For those who won't flee from God's wrath.
Promises of Christ's victory
Are my songs on my pilgrimage path.

Persuaded of His Performance

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:20,21).

The key to faith in God that's stable
Is a confidence equation:
My God has promised plus He's able;
That equals my persuasion.

The Scrutiny of Scripture

"What shall we say then?.... What sayeth the Scripture?" (Romans 4:1,3).

Let our every word and way
Be examined in this light:
What in fact does Scripture say?
God's Word is always right.

The Curse Cannot Come

"The curse causeless shall not come" (Proverbs 26:2). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23,24).

Come to where the curse can't come!
Come to where it finds no cause!
Since all have sinned (and not just some),
We dare not wait, nor even pause!

Flee to Jesus Christ who died
To bear our curse and take our place.
In Him alone we're justified,
And saved completely by His grace.

Open Opportunity

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (Psalm 119:18).

Wondrous opportunity:
God still opens eyes to see!
And truths that fill eternity
Are in God's Holy Word.

The wondrous things within God's Law
Will fill our eyes and ears with awe,
Revealing things we never saw,
And things we never heard.

Rejoicing in the Riches

"I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches" (Psalm 119:14).

The riches of God's word are infinite in measure;
His testimonies heard exceed this world's treasure.
Come explore with me His wonders that abound!
Come rejoice and see the wisdom we have found!

Evidence is Everywhere

"The Gospel of God... He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was... declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead... For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

The evidence that God is real
Is everywhere you look.
Those who seek Him find Him still
In His prophetic Book.

We also find the empty tomb
Has proved Christ's resurrection.
The evidence does not leave room
For natural selection.

Trust on Trial

"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?.... It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.... The Stone which the builders refused is become the Head Stone of the corner. This the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:6,8,9,22,23).

The Lord is surely on my side. Why then should I fear?
Better in the Lord confide, than trust in prince or peer.
For what has man effected? Is not his failure known?
The Christ whom men rejected is now the Corner Stone!

Principles of Praise

"O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 117:1,2).

Oh praise the Lord, and rejoice every nation,
For God, rich in mercy, has wrought our salvation!
His truth endures to each generation!
This is our song and our declaration!

Mercy and truth— what sweet meditation!
These are the themes of our adoration!
Our praise is to Jesus, and with jubilation,
We join saints and angels in His exaltation!

Return to your Rest

"Return to thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling" (Psalm 116:7,8).

Return to your rest, O my soul, from the strife,
For God has delivered you, given you life,
Dried all your tears, and steadied your feet.
Return to your rest, and to peace that is sweet.

Contest of Counsels

"And all the remnant... shall know whose words shall stand, Mine, or theirs.... that ye may know that My words shall surely stand" (Jeremiah 44:28,29). "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand" (Proverbs 19:21). "I believe God, that is shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25).

I believe God's Word will stand
When all is said and done.
For who can stay His mighty hand?
No one! No, not one!

Still the conflict rages on
As fools are not persuaded.
God's counsel never has been wrong,
Yet scoffers still are jaded.

The contest of God's Word or theirs
Will soon come to an end.
Now I believe what God declares
Is truth we should defend.

Discouraging Discovery

"A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself" (Proverbs 18:2). "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart" (Jeremiah 17:9,10).

"Know thyself," we have been told,
From ancient oracles of old;
And thus we find the awful truth:
Our hearts are wicked from our youth.

How disappointing to the mind!
Is there nothing left to find?
Are we left with nothing more
Than hearts deceitful, wicked, poor?

Indeed, there is! We turn our eyes
Away from this world's so-called wise,
To see the Lord who now imparts
Salvation to repentant hearts!

Almost vs. Altogether

"They should repent and turn toward God.... King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and ALTOGETHER such as I am" (Acts 26:20,27-29).

It may seem harsh. It may sound tough;
But "almost persuaded" just isn't enough.
Repentance toward God cannot be half way.
Believe altogether! Receive Christ today!

Works and Words

"The preparations in the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.... Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:1,3).

Commit your works to God each day
And He will establish your thought.
The Lord can prepare your tongue to say
The answer that others have sought.

Foundational Fear

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do" (Psalm 111:10).

The fear of the Lord is at the foundation
Of all of our wisdom that's prudent and true.
For thereby we trust Jesus Christ for salvation;
A good understanding have all they that do.

When to be Willing

"Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power" (Psalm 110:3). "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me" (Acts 1:8).

The day of the power of Christ has arrived!
This is the day that we should be revived!
The Spirit of God has come to His own,
With power to witness and make Jesus known.

The time to confess Him as Lord is right now!
This is the time that each knee should bow!
The day of salvation is already here;
Use the time wisely, for judgment is near.

Real Riches

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches" (Proverbs 13:7).

There is one who will make himself rich,
Yet never discovers true wealth.
And soon he is placed in the ditch,
Abandoning riches and health.

There is one who makes himself poor,
Yet finds himself rich indeed;
For great are the riches in store
When Jesus is meeting our need.

Prelude to Praise

"O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise Thee, O Lord.... For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and Thy glory above all the earth" (Psalm 108:1-5).

I'm fixing my heart, O God, to give praise;
I'm waking up early, before the sun's rays.
I'm tuning the strings of my heart and guitar;
I'm thinking of You, Lord, and how great You are.

I'm reading Your Word, to hear You, O Lord.
I'm lifting my prayer; my heart is outpoured.
I'll wait on You, Lord, in this primary phase,
As I soar on the wings of my prelude to praise.

Refrain of the Redeemed

"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.... Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord" (Psalm 107:1,2,43).

Refrain:
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so:
Our Lord is good; let the whole world know!
There's only one Savior to whom we can go;
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Like sheep we had wandered, going astray;
We cried to the Lord and He led the right way.
Hungry and thirsty we lifted our cries;
Jesus alone our soul satisfies.

Sitting in darkness in the shadow of death;
He gave us light when we called in distress.
We needed healing for the sin-sick soul;
The touch of our Savior has made us whole.

The wind and the storm made our fears increase.
He calmed the waves and He gave us His peace.
Whoso is wise and will observe these things
Shall understand the lovingkindness God brings.

Labor and Lips

"The labor of the righteous tendeth to life... The lips of the righteous feed many" (Proverbs 10:16,21).

The labor of righteousness tends toward life;
The lips of the righteous feed many.
The Word of our Lord is the harvesting knife;
The Gospel, His storehouse of plenty.

Work for the Weak

"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

When we were lost and very weak,
Jesus labored for us on the cross;
And thus He came to earth to seek
And save us from eternal loss.

So Jesus did not only speak;
He worked to save our souls from hell.
He calls us to support the weak,
By what we do and say as well.

Shine vs. Shun

"I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:20,21,27).

Do not be silent, and shun not to tell:
There is an escape from the fires of hell!
Repent toward God and believe on the Lord;
Those who will seek Him, our God will reward.

Hold nothing back; now shine in the dark,
Like Noah when he was preparing the ark.
Testify boldly that Jesus will save;
Declare all the counsel of God that He gave.

Fetter for Forgetters

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:2). "And upon the first day of the week... the disciples came together to break bread" (Acts 20:7). "This do in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
His benefits, do not forget.
For He redeemed your life in full;
Upon the cross He paid your debt.

And yet our Savior knows we tend
To oft forget His agony.
He broke the bread, and to this end,
Said, "Do this to remember Me."

So let the breaking of the bread
Bind our memory like a fetter
To all our Savior did and said;
Amen! The more the better!

Book Burning

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.... So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed" (Acts 19:18-20). "If they agree not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

There are books we ought to keep—
Books of truth that will inspire.
Other books we ought to heap,
To give us kindling for the fire.

Now that may seem a bit too rash.
Burning books appears extreme.
But many books are simply trash
That's authored by a rambler's dream.

So let the Word of God of prevail,
While others take this test:
If they don't agree with God, they fail;
Hold on to all the rest.

Holy House

"I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O Lord, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.... I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.... A froward heart shall depart from me" (Psalm 101:1-4).

Surely there are holy things
To fill my house and heart.
And though my froward heart still clings,
It shall from me depart.

For I will sing of heaven's claim
That judgment was fulfilled,
When Jesus Christ my Savior came
As God, in mercy, willed.

Thus in my house, before my King,
I would, by grace, be wise.
And I would set no wicked thing
At all before my eyes.

Awesome Assurance

"Know ye that the Lord, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves" (Psalm 100:3). "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:29-31).

Awesome assurance! Jesus is risen!
He tore the bars from the grave's dismal prison!
O grave, where's your victory? Death, where's your sting?
What greater assurance could God Himself bring?

And so God commands that all men repent.
-No more excuses; they all have been spent.
Though ignorance postulates "natural selection",
God's awesome assurance is Christ's resurrection!

Searching the Scriptures

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea.... These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:10,11).

Searching and praying through Scripture each day
Is the nobler, holier, happier way
To ready our hearts and our minds to learn
The critical truths God would have us discern.

In the issues of life, if we daily would know
The will of our Lord, and whether it's so,
Let us be searching the Scriptures to find,
The answers of God that will ready our mind.

Call to Comprehend

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:2-6). "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).

"Call unto Me," our Lord God declares:
He'll show to us great and mighty things.
For God surely answers the earnest prayers
To give understanding that His wisdom brings.

Call upon God while He calls to you,
Searching His wisdom as for hidden treasure.
Seek for His will in all that you do,
And God will be faithful to show you His pleasure.

The Good Favor of Godly Fear

"Ye that love the Lord, hate evil" (Psalm 97:10). "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13). "And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them" (Jeremiah 32:39).

Give us one heart, one way, and one fear,
To worship You, Lord, and to hold Your Word dear.
For the good of our souls and the children we rear,
Give us a heart to obey.

Grant us this favor before it's too late:
To love what you love, and to hate what you hate.
Time and Your Spirit forbid us to wait!
Teach us Your fear, Lord, today.