Foolish Forecasters

"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" (Luke 13:13:56).

How is it you can rightly say
By looking at the sky,
The forecast calls for rain today,
Or that it will be dry?

And yet the signs of prophecy
Much clearer than the weather,
Are largely by humanity
Unheeded altogether.

About Abundance

"A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

How shall a singular life be defined?
Or how shall we weigh a life's worth?
It's not in abundance possessions we find,
Not even the whole of the earth.

This is our worth and our life's definition,
That for us our Lord came
That life may be ours with abundant provision
By trusting in His holy name.

Render the Rod

"And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And He said, Cast it on the ground.... Thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.... and Moses took the rod of God in his hand" (Exodus 4:2,3,17,20).

Moses had a common rod
Until it was surrendered.
When he gave it back to God,
Behold what it was rendered!

What was once a rod in hand,
Became God's wondrous sign.
Thus we're led to understand,
This principle divine:

Give to God what He first gave;
Cast it down; hold nothing back.
We will lose what we would save,
But in giving, we won't lack.

O the wondrous transformation
When we consecrate to God
What we have, in dedication,
Though it may be just a rod!

Single Sighted

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light.... If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doeth give thee light" (Luke 11:33-36).

Lord, give me a clear, single eye,
That's focused on all of Your beauty:
On love that compelled You to die
That scorns the mere motive of duty.

Then fill my whole body with light,
And let me thus shine like a star,
As a candle that burns in the night,
Reflecting how awesome You are.

Stronger Striver

"Save me, O God, by Thy name, and judge me by Thy strength.... Behold, God is mine Helper.... He hath delivered me out of all trouble" (Psalm 54:1,4,6). "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils" (Luke 11:21,22).

The strong arm of Satan has met with a stronger;
His prison is plundered; his goods have been spoiled.
The Lord is our Helper, and we are no longer
Beneath the dominion of sin where we toiled.

The armor of Satan is taken away;
The darkness in which he had trusted is gone.
Put on the armor of God's strength and pray;
The night is far spent, and we look for the dawn.

Looking, Listening, Loving

"And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them" (Exodus 3:7,8). "God looked down upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one" (Psalm 53:2,3).

God has looked down from heaven to see,
And God listened also to hear
The deeds and thoughts of humanity:
His findings were painfully clear.

All have gone back and all became filthy!
No one was found who was looking for God.
No one does good; each one is found guilty,
Deserving the wrath of His judgment rod.

But God looked and listened with infinite love,
Seeing affliction, and hearing our moan.
Thus knowing our sins, He came from above,
And bearing sorrows, He made them His own.

Rejoicing in Revealing

"Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.... Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them: and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them" (Luke 10:20-24).

Rejoice for the things that God has revealed;
How blest are the eyes that can see!
To prophets and kings these things were sealed
That God shows to you and to me!

Rejoice with the Lord, who rejoices in us,
And finds in our blessing delight!
What love He reveals that gladdens Him thus,
For glories revealed in our sight!

Spiritual Specialty

"Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:55,56). "For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

The manner of Spirit God's people are of
Is not that of fear, but of power and love.
The mind of the Spirit that God gave to each,
Is sound in the truth of the Gospel we preach.

The Spirit we're of persistently strives
As in Noah's day, for the saving of lives,
To draw them to Christ, and not to destroy.
The cross was endured for that prospect of joy.

Jesus Echoes Joseph's Epilogue

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he [Joseph] comforted them, and spake kindly unto them" (Genesis 50:20:21). "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.... This is My beloved Son; hear Him" (Luke 9:22,35).

Joseph's words were true and kind
To his brethren when he spoke.
Nothing evil came to mind;
No revenge in him awoke.

What a portrait here he gave!
Like as Joseph understood,
Jesus suffered much to save;
God intended it for good.

"Hear Him," God our Father said,
"This is My beloved Son."
Jesus rises from the dead,
And declares the work is done.

Hear Him! With delight we do!
Words of kindness spoken thus:
"Fear not, I will nourish you,"
Jesus echoes now to us.

Rather than Riches

"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their soul is precious.... But God shall redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me" (Psalm 49:6-8, 15). "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold" (Proverbs 22:1).

They that trust in fleeting wealth
Cannot use their currency
For their soul's eternal health
Or to change their destiny.

Give me rather Jesus' name
Than the riches men applaud.
Neither earthly wealth nor fame,
Can redeem a soul for God.

Choose the loving favor found
In the name of Christ the Lord.
In Him grace and truth abound,
All that heaven can afford!

Shadow of Shiloh

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (i.e., the One who brings peace) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be" (Genesis 49:10).

Shiloh, Bringer of our peace,
Spread Your shadow over us.
Let the joy and praise increase
Of your people gathered thus.

Jesus, as was prophesied,
We are gathered in Your name.
We remember that You died,
As foretold, to bear our shame.

Jesus, Shiloh, Lord of all,
We draw near to crown You King!
In Your shadow we recall,
For our sakes, Your suffering.

Shiloh, Savior, Lord alone,
Center of our love and praise,
Take the scepter and the throne
Of our hearts that You amaze!

Finding our Faith

"Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And He said unto them, Where is your faith?" (Luke 8:25).

Where is our faith when sea billows roll?
Why is it so hard to find?
Where is our faith when life takes its toll?
Why do we lose peace of mind?

Do not put faith in the sea when it's calm;
Trust Him who orders its waves.
Christ is our Peace and our triumphant Psalm;
All who will trust Him He saves.

Refuge, River, and Rest

"God is our Refuge and our Strength... There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.... Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:1,4,10).

There is a Refuge, whatever betides,
That shelters our souls in this world.
God is that Refuge; He always abides,
No matter what trials are hurled.

There is a River with pleasure-filled streams
That gladdens God's city today.
God is that River for those He redeems;
So let His redeemed people say!

There is a Rest that bids us be still,
And know that our God still controls.
God is that Rest, and He will fulfill
Each promise He made to our souls.

Kiss the King

"Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him" (Psalm 45:10,11). "Kiss the Son" (Psalm 2:12). "Thou gavest Me no kiss" (Luke 7:45).

Kiss the Son and crown Him King!
Days are few; you can't afford
To let a fleeting transient thing
Rob your worship from your Lord.

Listen well, incline your ear,
And let your heart consider this:
Worship Him, lest you should hear,
"You did not give to Me your kiss."

Abomination by Affiliation

"The Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.... every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians" (Genesis 43:32, 46:34). "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach" (Hebrews 13:13).

This age of unbelief will hate
The message of salvation,
And count those who affiliate
With Christ, abomination.

Let us then bear His reproach
(It is so small a price!),
As we see that day approach
When we shall dwell with Christ.

Guide to God

"O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles. Then shall I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy" (Psalm 43:3,4).

Send out Your light and Your truth, O Lord,
To guide me to Your holy hill,
To Your tabernacles, and ever toward
The center of Your perfect will.

Send out Your light and Your truth to lead
To the altar of Christ crucified.
There, where my Savior has met every need,
Is my joy and the death of my pride.

Quelling the Question

"My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?.... As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me, while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?" (Psalm 42:3,10).

Where is my God? Is that what you said?
If you open your eyes you surely will see!
Have you not seen? Have you never read
The perfect fulfillment of God's prophecy?

Where is my God? Is that what you say?
His wonders abound throughout His creation!
Those who will honestly seek Him today,
Will also discover His wondrous salvation!

Tell of the Treasures

"And behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither" (Genesis 45:12,13).

Tell of the treasures and all of the glory
That wait for the ransomed in heaven above!
Christ died and is risen! Tell the true story
Of all of the riches of His wondrous love!

Need for New

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God" (Psalm 40:2,3). "No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better" (Luke 5:39).

Out of that old and that horrible pit,
And out of that old miry clay!
On to the rock and a path that is lit
With light in God's saving new way!

Gone is the curse of the old Law and letter!
God gave to my heart a new song!
He who insists that old is still better
Is hopelessly, utterly wrong!

Hot Heart

"I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am" (Psalm 39:2-4).

My heart is so hot, for the fire is burning!
The Word of my God is the fuel for that fire.
How can I be silent as my heart is yearning
To speak of salvation His mercies inspire?

O Lord, make me know how frail I am!
How few are the days that my life will afford
To tell the good news that Christ is the Lamb
Who saves all who truly will call on the Lord!

Shadows of our Surety

"And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me... I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame forever" (Genesis 43:8,9). "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it" (Proverb 11:15). "By so much was Jesus made a Surety of a better testament" (Hebrews 7:22).

Shadows of our Lord's endeavor
Are cast by Judah's plea,
"Let me bear the blame forever,
I will be a surety."

By so much more was Jesus made
A Surety for us.
His sacrifice shall never fade,
As shadows surely must.

Feeding the Feeder

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed" (Psalm 37:3). "The lips of the righteous feed many" (Proverbs 10:21). "And Jesus answered him, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4).

Man shall not live by bread alone,
But also by every word that God gives.
Thus it is written; thus it is shown:
By faith in God's Word, the justified lives.

Trust in the Lord and do good, as He said,
And so shall you dwell in the land where you live.
So shall the lips that feed many be fed:
The more they feed others, the more God will give.

Source of our Satisfaction

"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light we shall see light" (Psalm 36:8,9). "And a voice came from heaven, which said, This is My beloved Son; in Thee I am well-pleased" (Luke 3:22).

Jesus, the Source of our soul's satisfaction,
You are the Fountain from which rivers flow,
With pleasures that spring from heaven's Attraction,
Proclaimed by the Father when You were below.

Bountiful Fountain! O Lord, make us drink
From that very Source that gives You delight!
Father in heaven, now help us to think
Your thoughts of our Savior, as You give us light!

Do as Directed

"And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth" (Genesis 41:55). "His mother [Mary] saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do" (John 2:5).

In the days wherein Joseph was on Egypt's throne,
And famine had covered the face of the earth,
God then provided through Joseph alone
The storehouses filled with his corn in that dearth.

The people were famished, and all of them knew
They surely would die if they had no bread.
They all were directed to heed and to do
Whatever it was that Joseph had said.

So how much the more in this famine today,
Not famine of bread, but of finding what's true,
Should we likewise heed what we hear our Lord say;
As Mary advised: What He says to you, DO!

Magnify with Me

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together" (Psalm 34:3).

O magnify the Lord with me
As we exalt His name!
Confess Him Lord and bow the knee;
His words and works proclaim.

Jesus Christ, that name so sweet,
Fills all of our desire!
He is our focus when we meet;
No privilege is higher.

Comforting Commandment

"My son, keep thy father's commandment.... When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp" (Proverbs 6:22,23).

What a comfort when I go,
As I walk this pilgrim way!
God's commandment then shall show
And lead me in His truth each day.

What a comfort when I sleep
As the day comes to a close!
God's commandment then shall keep
And give me rest from all my foes.

What a comfort when I wake
As I rise again to walk.
God's commandment then shall take
And counsel me and with me talk.

Excellent Eye

"I will instruct thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all His goings" (Proverbs 5:21).

Counsel me, Lord, in the way I should go;
Guide with Your eye on my ways.
Ponder my goings, and cause me to know
The path of Your will all my days.

Search me, O God, with Your all-seeing eye,
And purge every thought, word, and deed.
Let me thus live, and let me thus die,
With my hand in Your hand as You lead.

Dayspring in Darkness

"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). "The Dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78,79).

Welcome, Dayspring from on high!
Shine Your light upon our path.
Guide our feet as days go by
In Your peace that saves from wrath.

Thank you, Dayspring, for your light.
When You came, the darkness fled.
You expelled our fearful night,
When You rose up from the dead.

Now Your light shines more and more,
Dayspring, on Your path of love.
Oh what light is yet in store
When we see Your face above!

Gladness for Glory

"Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness: to the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent" (Psalm 30:11,12). "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46,47).

Rejoice, my soul, for the robe of sadness
That girded your soul once with sorrow,
The Lord has changed to garments of gladness
Today, and for every tomorrow!

My soul magnifies Christ Jesus my Lord,
And my spirit exalts God my Savior!
I cannot contain this gladness outpoured,
For the mercy of God and His favor!

Voice Choice

"The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.... and in His temple doth everyone (literally, the whole; all the things in it) speak of His glory. The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King forever. The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace" (Psalm 29:3,9-11).

The voice of the Lord has thundered with glory
As in His great judgment by flood.
The voice of the Lord has told His love story
As in His great temple by blood.

The voice of the Lord will judge all His foes,
Who will not pay heed to His voice.
The voice of the Lord speaks peace to all those
Who trust Him; it rests on our choice.

Sickness of Silence

"Unto Thee will I cry, O LORD my Rock; be not silent to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.... They regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands" (Psalm 28:1,5).

Be not silent, Lord, to me
Lest I turn to apathy,
Lest I fail to clearly see
Your works in operation.

Be not silent, Lord, today,
Lest I lose sight of Your way,
Lest I lose the will to pray
And share Your great salvation.