Called for a Cause

"Defend the poor and the fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3,4). "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8,9). "Is there not a cause?" (1 Samuel 17:29). "For this cause came I unto this hour" (John 12:27).

For the cause of the Gospel, do not be unfeeling;
The poor, the afflicted, and needy all cry.
The poor need God's hope, the afflicted His healing
The needy are helplessly destined to die.

Yes, there are causes abounding today;
Be careful, however, to keep this in mind:
That temporal causes shall all pass away;
Eternity comes and shall leave them behind.

For the cause of the Gospel, be ready to plead;
Deliver the perishing, sparing no cost.
Christ has the riches and healing they need.
Christ is hope and the help of the lost.

Hearken and Hunger

"Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee... if thou wilt hearken unto Me.... Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But My people would not hearken to My voice, and Israel would none of Me" (Psalm 81:8-11).

Hearken to God, and you'll hear the Lord speak.
Hunger for God, and you'll long for His will.
Open your heart; He rewards those who seek.
Open your mouth; He has promised to fill.

How foolish the heart that never has hearkened!
How empty the spirit with no appetite!
How blind are the eyes that always are darkened,
Loving the darkness, and hating the light!

Laughter of the Lost

"Our enemies laugh among themselves" (Psalm 80:6). "If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest" (Proverbs 29:9). "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts... they willingly are ignorant" (2 Peter 3:3,5).

There is a laughter of the lost
That scoffs with arrogance.
They do not stop to count the cost
Of willful ignorance.

Though evidence is limitless
In all of God's creation,
Yet they labor to suppress
God's open revelation.

They scorn the truth, they laugh, they smirk,
And follow their own lust.
And sad to say, it seems to work
On those who blindly trust.

There is but one escape today
From this insanity.
The Gospel still is on display
With truth that make us free.

Escape from scornful, mindless mirth!
Now come to God and reason!
You haven't much time left on earth;
Come now! This is the season!

Seek and See

Memorial Day (Observed)

"They that seek the Lord understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5). "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon... waiting for the consolation of Israel.... And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus... he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have the seen Thy salvation" (Luke 2:25-29). "He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

My eyes can see salvation
In Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is God's revelation;
The seeker's great reward.

As Simeon rejoiced to see
The Savior God had brought,
God has shown Him faithfully
To all those who have sought.

So may Christ remove the scales
That make our eyes so dim,
To seek and see that all else pales
Compared to life in Him.

Shaping a Shepherd

"[God] made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And He led them on safely, so that they feared not.... He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: so he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands" (Psalm 78:52,53,70,72). "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:23).

God made His own people to go forth like sheep,
And guided them all like a flock.
He led them on safely, through desert and deep,
Preserving them all through their walk.

God gave them a shepherd, king David by name,
That they might be properly fed.
Shaped with integrity, he thus became
A man whom the heart of God led.

God gave us a Shepherd, our Lord and our Savior,
Who laid down His life for our souls.
He still is the Model of love and behavior
For hearts and for hands He controls.

Encountering Encouragement

"Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.... But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:4,6).

When I've run out of power to weep,
When my troubles have robbed me of sleep,
When I'm sinking in waters too deep,
I'll encourage myself in the Lord.

When I've done everything I can do,
When my friends are fair-weather and few,
When my foes are convinced I am through,
I'll encourage myself in the Lord.

When I finally come to the place
Where I truly am seeking God's face,
When my soul is restored by His grace,
I'll encourage myself in the Lord.

Preoccupied with Praise

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.... For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:46-50).

I haven't much time for trivial chatter;
I'm otherwise preoccupied.
You're welcome to join my soul in this matter,
That God may be more magnified.

For He that is mighty in love became weak,
And thus by grace made me whole.
And He that is rich became poor to seek,
To save, and to ransom my soul.

Let us exalt Him for all He has done;
He surely deserves all our praise!
None of His promises failed, not one,
As history plainly displays.

Prophetic Promotion

"Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge. He putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:6,7). "A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief" (Proverbs 24:16). "Then said Samuel.... and the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even unto David" (1 Samuel 28:26,17).

Promotion comes from God alone
In His own time and place.
He pulls the haughty from his throne,
And clothes him in disgrace.

Promotion comes by God's command,
And He exalts the humble.
He sets them up, He holds their hand,
And lifts them when they stumble.

Promotion comes not from the east,
Nor from the west or south,
But God lifts those esteemed the least,
And shuts the boaster's mouth.

Pleading His Plan

"Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause" (Psalm 74:22). "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.... And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them" (Mark 16:15,20).

Arise, O God, and plead Your cause.
There is no help in mortal man;
There is no hope in manmade laws,
There is no heart to plead your plan.

Arise, O God, and work with us
With help, and hope, and heart to preach,
For by Your grace the Gospel thus
Shall then fulfill its global reach.

Uplifting Upbraiding

"So foolish was I, and ignorant.... Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Psalm 73:22-24). "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth?" (Proverbs 22:20-21). "Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen" (Mark 16:14).

So foolish, Lord, I surely know
My heart can often be;
And still in tenderness you show
The truth that makes me free.

Thank you, Lord, that You uplift
With counsels that are true.
Your prompt upbraiding is a gift
That keeps me close to You.

Dominion Deferred

"He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass.... He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before Him; and His enemies shall lick the dust.... Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him" (Psalm 72:8-11). "And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Mark 15:17,18).

Our Lord shall have dominion
In every place on earth,
Though popular opinion
Has mocked our Savior's worth.

The crown upon His head
Shall not be made of thorn;
A sovereign crown instead
By Jesus shall be worn.

Though opposition must
Object to His return,
His foes shall lick the dust,
And shall no longer spurn.

Though dominion is deferred,
Yet as rain comes down on grass,
Our Lord shall keep His word,
And it all shall come to pass.

Gracefully Gray

"Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is come" (Psalm 71:18). "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.... The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head" (Proverbs 16:31 20:29).

The glory of youth is their strength,
Unless it is squandered away.
The beauty of old age the length
Of time with the Lord when we're gray.

So whether we're young or we're old,
Let this be our cause every hour:
To find us increasingly bold
To tell of our Lord's saving power.

Purifying Prayer

"Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified" (Psalm 70:4). "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38).

Let all those who love the Savior
And rejoice in His salvation,
Watch and pray lest their behavior
Be corrupted by temptation.

Let our lives be purified
By this constant rule we heed:
Let the Lord be magnified
In each thought, each word, and deed.

And since we know the flesh is weak,
Though our spirits may be strong,
Let us pray and thereby seek
Our Lord to keep us from all wrong.

Song for the Savior

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30). "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

Praise the name of God in song,
For all that He has done.
His name is like a tower strong
To which we safely run.

Praise the name of Jesus Christ,
Proclaim His reputation,
Who willingly was sacrificed
To purchase our salvation.

Sing anew the glories of
Our Savior, Lord, and Lamb,
The God of perfect light and love,
The infinite I Am.

We'll sing to magnify with thanks
The Lord Who bore our shame.
Though sweeter there on heaven's banks,
The theme will be the same.

Rebels, Rejoice!

"Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them" (Psalm 68:18).

Rebels, have you heard the news?
The gift of God extends to all!
Repent and come; do not refuse
His gift of life, His loving call.

The gift He gives He had to buy;
It cost Him more than you can know.
He loved you so much He would die,
To pay your debt, and life bestow.

We cannot buy, nor would God sell,
The gift He bought at Calvary.
He paid that price that He might dwell
Among the likes of you and me.

Rejoice, oh rebels, make it known:
The love of God has found a way
To save, to keep, and call His own,
Each rebel who will humbly pray.

Discreetly Distant

"And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34).

It's not enough to be discreet
And draw the right conclusion:
If heart and action do not meet,
It's meaningless confusion.

It's not enough to understand,
Yet also to ignore,
The risen Savior's firm command
To open up the door.

Oh master of your dismal fate,
Oh captain of your soul,
You are not far; why will you wait
To give the Lord control?

It's not enough to merely know
What God declares is fact.
There's still some distance you must go:
God waits for you to act.

Make it Majestic

"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. Come and see the works of God.... Come and hear...and I will declare what He hath done for my soul" (Psalm 66:1,2,5,16).

Come and see the works of God;
Praise Him for His majesty
In earth around, in seas abroad,
In skies above, and all we see!

Come and hear what He has done
And how His love has made me whole.
On the cross He fought and won;
He paid the ransom for my soul!

Come, make His praises glorious;
Majestic in creation!
Declare our Lord victorious,
Who purchased our salvation!

Author of Authority

"As for our transgressions, Thou shalt purge them away.... Which by His strength setteth fast the mountains, being girded with power.... They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at Thy tokens: Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice" (Psalm 65:3-8). "By what authority doest Thou these things? And who gave Thee this authority to do these things?" (Mark 11:28).

Who gave to God His power vast?
It was forever His!
He is the Author of the past,
Of what will be, and is!

Who gave Him His authority
To do all He has done?
That awesome right eternally
Pertains to God the Son!

Who gave to Christ the righteousness
To purge our sins as dross?
He earned that right to save and bless
By dying on the cross.

Wiser and Wealthier

Mother's Day

"There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of man's life are his riches" (Proverbs 13:7,8). "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom from many" (Mark 10:45). "I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.... and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15).

Mothers, as your children grow
And as you work to keep them healthy,
Tell them what they ought to know
To make them truly wise and wealthy.

Wise, that is, unto salvation
Through their faith in Jesus Christ.
Wealthy by His invitation;
Ransomed through His sacrifice.

Mothers, you cannot aspire
To a wiser, richer end
For your children to desire,
Than in Christ, their truest Friend.

Drawn by the Drought

"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.... Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.... My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips" (Psalm 63:1-5).

I was drawn by the drought that parches this earth,
By a life lived without any meaning or worth.
Then looking above, in the thirst of my soul,
I found, Lord, Your love filled my cup to the full.

Yes, Your lovingkindness has quenched my soul's thirst,
Gave sight for my blindness, Your best for my worst,
Is better, far better, than life at its best,
Has broken each fetter, and given me rest.

Reassuring Repetition

"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto Thee belongeth mercy" (Psalm 62:11). "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation" (Hebrews 6:17,18).

God in mercy once has spoken;
Sometimes He will say it twice,
And adds an oath that can't be broken,
Even though once should suffice.

What reassuring repetition
Our God provides within His Book!
Faithfulness without condition
Is found in Christ each time we look.

Power thus belongs to God;
Mercies too, we know are His.
God is faithful! Oh how odd
That we ever doubt He is!

Higher Rock of a Humbler Role

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2). "And [He] saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

Lead me, Lord, when I shall cry,
To Your throne, that lofty realm,
To that higher rock than I,
When my heart is overwhelmed.

I'm led by love that none can drown,
To the heights of Jesus love.
I see the love that brought Him down,
From His dwelling place above.

Thus I find this higher rock
Has brought me lower to the earth.
Showing me much more than talk:
Love in action, and its worth.

The higher rock, the holy call,
Here from this summit I can see:
Those who are the last of all
Shall rise by their humility.

Banner Beloved

"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah" (Psalm 60:4).

For such a cause, Lord, for such a place,
And for such a time, as this is today,
You've given a banner of truth and of grace
That all those who fear You should put on display.

For such a love bestowed in such manner
As Jesus displayed when He came from above,
Because of this truth, we raise high the banner,
Displaying His mercy, redemption, and love.

Mercy in the Morning

"Let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.... and grudge if they be not satisfied. But I will sing of Thy power, yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy" (Psalm 59:14-17).

Lord, I will sing of Your infinite power,
And sing of Your mercy aloud in the morning.
Though mockery grows in this world's late hour,
And blasphemy knows no bounds to its scorning.

So let scorners make their noise like a dog
Returning to vomit, and not satisfied.
You lifted me out of that blasphemous fog,
And gave me a refuge in Jesus who died.

God of my mercy in the day of my trouble,
You are my strength, so to You I will sing!
When all of the strongholds of Satan are rubble,
You shall be crowned as our glorious King!

Wonderfully Well

"And [they] were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak" (Mark 7:37).

There was a time I could not hear;
A time I could not speak.
I could not see what now is clear,
I was so very weak.

But God in mercy saw my plight
When I was deaf and dumb,
I heard His voice with great delight
Invite me then to come.

I came, and saw with eyes once blind;
My ears, once deaf, then heard!
My tongue, once dumb, was then inclined
To praise God for His Word!

Astonished at His love for me
That rescues me from hell,
I hear and speak and surely see:
My Lord does all things well!

Waking Words

"God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.... Awake up, my glory, awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations" (Psalm 57:3,4,8,9). "Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light" (Ephesians 5:14).

Awake, my soul, with new desire!
Rise up from where you lie!
The sons of men are set on fire;
Can you not hear their cry?

The words they speak, like spears and arrows,
Their souls they thus consume.
Their path is bleak; the distance narrows
That draws them to their tomb.

Awake my soul, give praise to God,
And let His light be shown!
So let His mercy spread abroad;
So let His truth be known.

Looking and Loving

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings" (Proverbs 5:21). "The Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10).

The Lord is looking on the heart;
He ponders all our ways.
We are His constant work of art;
His grace He thus displays.

The Lord is working in our hearts
His workmanship of love.
He will continue what He starts,
Until we meet above.

Obeisance of Obedience

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).

Obedience to God above
Is truest worship, pure and right,
That manifests a heart of love
That God esteems with great delight.

Learning for Leaning

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.... Be not wise in thine own eyes.... The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens" (Proverbs 3:5,7,19).

Lean not upon your own understanding,
Neither perceive yourself wise,
Unless you, like God, can by your commanding,
Create earth and order the skies.

If you, by your wisdom and by your design,
Can hang earth on nothing in space
And keep every orbiting planet in line,
Then lean on your wisdom and grace.

Omniscient Lord! Our pride is so odd
In view of what You have displayed!
Teach us to lean on Your wisdom, oh God,
And learn from the things You have made.

Send the Sane

"And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in His right mind.... Howbeit Jesus... saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mark 5:15-19).

There once was a man insane and possessed,
Like many whom Satan so cruelly would bind,
Whom Jesus set free, and thus was found blessed,
Seated, and clothed, and in his right mind.

If you, with this man so disturbed, can relate,
Then you have a message you surely can tell.
Go home to your friends, and tell them how great
The love of your God is Who saved you from hell.

Continually Caring

"The goodness of God endureth continually" (Psalm 52:1). "And there arose a great storm of wind... and they say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:37,38).

The goodness of God can never cease,
No matter what storms may assail.
May this certain truth impart perfect peace:
The love of our God cannot fail.

The winds and the sea may stir with commotion,
Yet God still continually cares.
For above every crashing wave of the ocean,
He still hears the faintest of prayers.