Potent Petition

"The king shall joy in Thy strength, O Lord; and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.... He asked like of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever" (Psalm 21:1-4).

I lifted up my prayer, Oh Lord,
Not knowing that You cared.
You gave me all You could afford;
Your Son You have not spared!

How greatly now I thus rejoice
In all Your strength to save!
How gratefully I lift my voice
For all You freely gave!

Erring Eyes

"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.... There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness" (Proverbs 30:12).

Erring eyes that have no light
Are those that never think to look
To God Who tells us what is right,
In the pure words of His Book.

Words and Works

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). "Many seek the ruler's favor, but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord" (Proverbs 29:26).

Lord, let the words of my mouth that are heard,
And my heart's meditation as well,
Be pleasing to You, in thought and in word,
As on Your perfections I dwell.

Lord, let the works that I do everyday
Be done with Your judgment in view.
Seeking your favor, Lord, living Your way,
And thus be found pleasing to You.

Generous Gentleness

"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 18:35).

How generous my God's heart is
That shields me with salvation!
He gently holds my hand in His
Through every situation.

Blessed v. Blind

"This people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed.... But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear" (Matthew 13:15,16).

What a blessing God imparts
To eyes that we may thereby see.
Sight is granted to our hearts
In view of our eternity.

What a contrast are the blind
That cannot see what lies ahead.
Willful darkness shrouds their mind
To blessings they could have instead.

Lord of my Lot

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage" (Psalm 16:5,6).

The lines of my lot that define my salvation
Are fallen to me in such pleasant places!
God Who maintains them removed condemnation,
And all that remains are His graces!

Place Given to Pleasing God

"And Samson went down to Timnath.... and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.... Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well" (Judges 14:1-3). "Behold My Servant, whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased" ( Matthew 12:18).

The appetites of Samson show
An unrestrained seduction
To please himself, and this we know
Would lead to his destruction.

What a contrast seen in Christ
Who pleased His Father's soul!
His perfect life was sacrificed
To pay our debt in full!

So let us choose this paradigm
To live for this reward,
To give our life to the sublime:
The pleasure of our Lord.

Fatal Folly

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (Psalm 14:1). "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22). "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth... Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.... Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:25,28).

The fool has said what makes no sense:
There's no divine Creator.
But folly has its consequence,
Perhaps not now, but later.

Escape from folly while you may!
There's but one avenue:
Come to Jesus Christ today
While He is calling you.

Wisdom's Whelps

"Wisdom is justified of her children" (Matthew 11:19).

Wisdom may be disregarded by some,
No matter how well testified.
Wait on the Lord; the day will soon come
When wisdom shall be justified.

For wisdom has children that surely shall grow
As lions once nurtured as whelps.
When all said and done, the world shall know
The wisdom of those whom God helps.

Housetop Herald

"Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart to My knowledge... that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee" (Proverbs 22:17-21). "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach upon the housetops" (Matthew 10:27).

In the darkness of my closet space
Where God and I commune
God there brings to light His grace
And brings my heart in tune.

In the quiet time of morning dawn
When I bow down my ear
I read God's word, He leads me on,
To do what I will hear.

And so it is I cannot stop
To speak what I have heard.
In light and on the house's top
I shall proclaim His word.

Flawed Flight

"In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?" (Psalm 11:1). "Safety is of the Lord" (Proverbs 21:31).

I trust the Lord. Why should I flee
From where God calls me still?
There is no safer place to be
Than in the center of His will!

How say you, therefore, to my soul
To flee now as a bird?
My God is surely in control—
Perhaps you haven't heard.

Desire Discerned

"Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear" (Psalm 10:17).

Nothing hidden from Your ear;
Our desire, Lord, is clear.
You will cause Your ear to hear,
Before we even speak.

What compassion is revealed!
Thus our broken hearts are healed!
Before we prayed, before we kneeled,
You drew us, Lord, to seek.

Seeker's Solace

"And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee" (Psalm 9:10).

The greatest solace seekers claim,
Where peace may be restored,
Is found with those who know the name
Of Jesus Christ our Lord.

For those who know His faithfulness
Shall never be forsaken.
And those who trust in Him to bless,
Shall never be mistaken.

Not Worthy yet Not Worthless

"What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4). "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof" (Matthew 8:8).

Lord of heaven, I am earthly,
Full of sin, and so unworthy.
Yet I cannot worthless be,
For You have come to visit me!

Lord of heaven, what is man,
That Your heart of love would plan
To visit him to make him whole,
And give Your life to save his soul?

Lord of heaven, Lord of earth,
Thus we have discerned our worth,
Yet our unworthiness as well,
For sin had made us fit for hell.

Lord of heaven, Lord of love,
Soon we'll be with You above,
And then for an eternal span
We'll ponder there the worth of man.

Astonishing Authority

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine. For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28,29).

He spoke His words with clarity
Expounding heaven's thought.
Astonishing authority
With which our Savior taught!

The broad way and the narrow path,
The builder's rock foundation,
The gate of life, eternal wrath,
The blessing of salvation—

What words of timeless consequence
In all He had to say!
They speak with no less relevance
To us in this our day.

Satisfied Seekers

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

God has promised He will bless
All those who will seek first
His kingdom and His righteousness,
And He will quench their thirst.

For only He can satisfy
The thirsty, longing soul.
For when our cup is running dry
He fills it more than full.

Seeing in Secret

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.... How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" (Proverbs 15:3,11). "And thy Father which seeth in secret shall Himself reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:4).

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Seeing what's evil and good.
Lord, look on my heart with mercy and grace,
And purge every thought as You would.

The eyes of the Lord look down from above
Seeing my most inward part.
How kind You have been, Lord, and what tender love
Has healed and gladdened my heart!

Got Gladness?

"Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased" (Psalm 4:7). "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness" (Proverbs 14:13). "Jesus... for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2).

A gladness that exceeds the measure
Of this world's empty laughter,
And riches that exceed its treasure
Are mine forever after.

In Christ this gladness is assured,
Who gives joy to the full.
It was for joy that He endured
The cross to save my soul.

Shine to Show

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Lord, let Your light in me so shine
That others thus may see
The light reflected is not mine,
But Yours which shines in me.

Possible Peace

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed (Christ)" (Psalm 2:2). "To the counselors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20). "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

In this world where fools don't cease
To rage against the Lord,
God still freely offers peace
That we cannot afford.

Our peace came at an awful price
That Jesus Christ would pay!
For He became our Sacrifice
To take our sin away.

Counselors of peace, therefore,
Proclaim the joyful news!
God exchanges peace for war;
It's up to us to choose.

Possible Peace

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed (Christ)" (Psalm 2:2). "To the counselors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20). "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

In this world where fools don't cease
To rage against the Lord,
God still freely offers peace
That we cannot afford.

Our peace came at an awful price
That Jesus Christ would pay!
For He became our Sacrifice
To take our sin away.

Counselors of peace, therefore,
Proclaim the joyful news!
God exchanges peace for war;
It's up to us to choose.

Fruitful Friendhship

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season" (Psalm 1:3). The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8).

He that wins a soul is wise;
God has said so in His Word.
Joy in heaven testifies
When a sinner's prayer is heard.

Cultivate this fruit today—
Fruit that wins eternal friends.
Sow the Gospel seed and pray
For the joy that never ends.

Gideon plus God

"And the Lord looked upon him (Gideon), and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto Him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel... I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee" (Judges 6:14-16).

Gideon plus God made two,
Yet this was quite enough.
When God says "I will be with you,"
No foe can be too tough.

Pay no heed to boasted numbers
Satan musters in array.
God who keeps you never slumbers;
Only trust Him and obey.

God plus you is all you need,
No matter what the strife.
Go in this your might indeed:
A Christ-empowered life!

Song and a Sword

"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand" (Psalm 149:4-6).

Let our song of joy be heard
That praises God for His salvation.
Let the sword of God's own Word
Thus manifest His revelation.

The reason for our joy is plain;
Let that reason be revealed.
Be ready always to explain
By the song and sword we wield.

Eminence of Emmanuel

"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:21-23).

Emmanuel, that wondrous name
Describing Christ our Lord,
Declares the reason why He came,
And what He looked toward.

God with us! Emmanuel!
We praise the name of Jesus,
Who died to save our souls from hell
And be forever with us.

Infinite Intelligence

"Great is our Lord, and of great power; His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5).

There are no limits to the power
Nor of His understanding
Who made the stars and every flower
Just by His commanding.

Finale of His Face

"And they shall see His face" (Revelation 22:4).

Grand finale of the ages:
We shall look upon His face!
Now in part on Scripture's pages;
Then the fullness of His grace!

Investigating the Infinite

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.... and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever" (Psalm 145:3,21).

Unsearchable greatness is found in our Lord;
His power, His wisdom, and love thus abound.
Forever and ever shall He be explored,
Yet more of His greatness shall always be found.

Consider the Contrast

"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 at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:18,19).

Consider the contrast between the two ways:
First let's consider the path of the just:
They follow the light, like the sun's solar rays
That shine more and more as they learn to trust.

Now let us consider the way of the lost:
How dark is the path upon which they stumble!
They walk on in darkness not counting the cost
For spurning salvation reserved for the humble.

Lord, lead us onward to walk in the light;
Brighten our path with the light of Your face,
And mindful of those in the darkness of night,
Cause us to shine forth to show them Your grace.

Way to Walk

"Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto Thee" (Psalm 143:8). "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct Thy paths.... Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.... For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken" (Proverbs 3:6,23,26).

Cause me to know, Lord, the way I should walk.
The path of Your will is the way I would go.
For You are my Confidence, my solid Rock,
My Guide, and my Fortress against every foe.

Consequence of Compromise

"And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed My voice: why have ye done this?" (Judges 2:2).

God never gives a command that's unwise,
But that which preserves us from sin's consequence.
Let us obey Him without compromise
For those who obey Him shall have His defense.

Words and Ways

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

Lord of my lips and of my every part,
Guard me in all of my words and my ways
To give You the glory deserved from my heart
So all that is in me may live for Your praise.