Managing the Mouth

"If thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.... the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.... Open thy mouth for the dumb in the case of all such as are appointed for destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 30:32,33, 31:8,9). "To everything there is a season.... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7).

Sometimes we should speak our mind
To share a timely truth in life.
Sometimes speaking is not kind
And only serves to kindle strife.

Sometimes we should plead the cause
Of those who need a clear defense.
Sometimes we should wisely pause
Until we hear the evidence.

Sometimes speaking has its season,
Persuading souls we seek to win.
Sometime silence has good reason,
But silence oftentimes is sin.

Lord, help us know in every case
When our mouth should speak or cease.
Teach us to be led by grace
To be Your counselors of peace.

Highest Helper

"Behold, God is mine Helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul" (Psalm 54:4).

God is my Helper on whom I rely.
He is with them who uphold my soul.
No other helper would suffer and die
In order to pay my redemption in full.

God is my Helper; then why should I fret?
He is the Lord over each circumstance.
I look to His cross when I tend to forget
That there are no matters that He leaves to chance.

God is my Helper, and this shall suffice
To calm every fear and to settle my rest.
Since He gave Himself as my Sacrifice,
I'll trust Him to order my life for the best.

Watchman Wisdom

"As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him" (Proverbs 25:13). "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman... therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me" (Ezekiel 33:7). "I am debtor... both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel" (Romans 1:14,15).

I am a messenger that's sent,
A watchman on the wall,
To warn the lost to now repent
And heed the Gospel call.

I am a debtor to the earth,
To give the Gospel's warning
And share its vast, eternal worth,
Rejected by those scorning.

And though they scorn, the charge yet stands
To warn them anyway.
So I will follow God's commands
To watch, to warn, and pray.

Rest and Resilience

"Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a razor, working deceitfully.... But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever" (Psalm 52:1,8). "Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again" (Proverbs 24:15,16).

The man of mischief may devise
The evil he has planned,
And yet he sees the righteous rise,
Held by the unseen Hand.

The mighty man may plot each hour
For Christians to be falling,
Yet God upholds them with His power,
To rise up to their calling.

So let the wicked boast of deeds
That work out his deception;
The child of God has all he needs
To rest in God's protection.

For God is still his resting place,
And that is why he'll be
Resilient and sustained by grace
To flourish as a tree.

Condtions for Converting

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.... Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. THEN will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee" (Psalm 51:10,12,13).

There are conditions I should heed
Before I seek to win
And point a soul to this great need:
Deliverance from sin.

It starts within my attitude:
My need for a clean heart,
A spirit in me that's renewed,
A spiritual new start.

I daily need my joy restored
That springs from God's salvation,
And from the Spirit of the Lord
I find my liberation.

THEN and surely only then
I know I'll be prepared
To teach God's ways to other men
Who are by sin ensnared.

Teach me, Lord, and I shall teach
The truth You have asserted.
Cleanse me, Lord, that I may reach
A soul yet unconverted.

Gathered to God

"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.... He shall call to the heavens from above and to the earth.... Gather My saints together unto Me, those that have made a covenant with Me by Sacrifice" (Psalm 50:3-5). "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

Our God shall come from heaven above
And gather His people as He said He would.
All who have trusted in His saving love
Shall praise Him because He is faithful and good.

His shout from the heavens, the great trumpet blast,
Shall summon all His who have already died,
And we who remain shall be caught up at last,
To meet Him together with those glorified.

And who shall be gathered when our God shall call?
All those who have trusted our Lord Jesus Christ,
For He is their Savior, the Lord of them all,
And covenant Keeper for them sacrificed!

Redemption for Reception

"They that trust in their wealth... 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 will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me" (Psalm 49:6-8,15).

How very strange indeed it seems
That so few trust the Lord!
While Christ alone the soul redeems,
He largely is ignored.

Many trust their fleeting wealth,
And multitudes applaud,
Yet soon they come to failing health,
And then they must meet God.

They see they're headed for the grave
With their posterity;
Yet neither can their children save
Their souls eternally.

There is but one escape in view
For every generation:
To pay the ransom that is due
To purchase their salvation.

God alone has paid in full
Redemption's awful price
To ransom each eternal soul
Through Christ, our Sacrifice.

Will you come to Christ today,
Or will you be deceived?
Redemption is the only Way
That we may be received.

Zion vs. Zidon

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.... Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.... that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:1-14). "And say, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon (i.e., Sidon), and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her" (Ezekiel 27:22).

Walk around Zion, consider her towers.
This is the city the future will bring.
The Lord will destroy all the temporal powers
Of those who rise up against God, the great King.

Walk around Zidon, and see her destruction,
Upon whom the judgments of God are outpoured.
Ponder it well and receive her instruction:
The world shall know that our God is the Lord.

The people Zion (all those with new birth),
Shall joy in the knowledge that He is their God
When He is exalted in all of the earth;
O clap your hands, Zion's people, applaud!

Yes, this is our God forever and ever;
The Lord strong and mighty is able to save.
And He is our Guide who has promised to never
Forsake us through life, from our birth to the grave.

Minister Maker

"I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness... to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me" (Acts 26:15,18).

God is the Maker of ministers wise;
He gives them their purpose and might
To witness to nations, to open their eyes,
And turn them from darkness to light.

Man's ordination is so often flawed,
But God molds the servant who wins
The lost from the power Satan to God,
Receiving forgiveness of sins.

No one but God can a minister make;
His purpose is not left to chance.
God will ordain each one for His sake
And guide them in each circumstance.

Reputation Refuge

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.... Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:1,10). "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

We have a refuge in our God,
A tower strong in our Lord's name,
Where there is no more judgment rod,
Because our Savior bore our shame.

We rest within the reputation
Of our Savior Jesus Christ
Who accomplished our salvation
When He for us was sacrificed.

Now we truly can be still
As our Lord Himself commands,
For we have seen the Lord fulfill
The judgment that His law demands.

There is no other place to run,
There is no other refuge now,
But in the name of God the Son,
Before whom every knee shall bow.

Difference in Daughters

"Thou art fairer than the children of men.... 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. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, even the rich among the people shall entreat Thy favor. The King's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold" (Psalm 45:2,12,13).

Consider the difference of daughters we see
In the glorious daughter and daughter of Tyre.
The glory within is the priority,
For this is the beauty our King shall desire!

The daughter of Tyre entreats with a gift,
Seeking for favor with riches external.
The King's daughter enters to worship and lift
The name of her Savior, whose praise is eternal.

What is the secret for beauty within,
And clothing of gold that is wrought with perfection?
Look to the Lord who will cleanse you from sin;
The garments of gold are the Savior's reflection.

Let us consider this difference well.
Forget the distractions that clutter your mind.
Worship the Savior, then go forth to tell
That no one is fairer in all of mankind!

Searching our Secrets

"If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god, shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart" (Psalm 44:20,21). "All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirits" (Proverbs 16:2).

If we have declined to give our God praise,
If we have replaced thanksgiving with pride,
If we have departed from God's perfect ways,
Shall not our God search our secrets inside?

If we have forgotten to follow the Lord,
If we have invited the entrance of sin,
If we have preferred this world's reward,
Shall not our God search our spirits within?

We are Your temple, Lord. Search out our hearts!
Though we once thought we were clean in our eyes,
You weigh our motives; that's where it all starts:
Purge out our folly that we may be wise.

Forever Feasting

"I will unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God, my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" (Psalm 43:4,5). "He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15).

The world has laughter that quickly subsides;
The Lord has a joy that's exceedingly great.
I'd rather have joy that forever abides,
Than laughter that's hiding an unhappy state.

I'll go to the source of my heavenly joy,
To God and His altar at Calvary's cross.
There I will sing and my praises employ,
For saving my soul from such infinite loss.

And then I will say to my soul that's cast down,
Why do you eat at this table of gloom?
You ought to be feasting; get rid of your frown,
And come to the table of joy— there is room!

The Lord has prepared a continual feast!
Come eat of His bread and drink of His wine.
These tokens remind us His love never ceased,
And our Savior's love shall never decline!

Fountain Found

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1,2). "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death" (Proverbs 14:27).

My soul is panting as a deer
That thirsts for water brooks.
This desert has no water here,
No matter where one looks.

Yet I have found a Fountainhead,
Not from this world's well,
But in the fear of God instead
That bids us turn from hell.

This world's snares of death abound,
And all her wells are dry.
But heaven's Fountain has been found
Whose waters satisfy!

Come and satisfy your thirst
Where godly fear begins.
Flee from fountains dry and cursed,
And wash away your sins!

Familiar Friend

"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.... By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me" (Psalm 41:9,11). "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20).

This world poses as a friend,
Yet readily betrays
The one whose morals will not bend,
Conforming to its ways.

This world's friendship still, I know,
Will call me with seduction,
Yet lift its heel as my foe
And seek my soul's destruction.

I have a Friend Who cannot fail,
Who shields me with favor.
My enemy shall not prevail,
Because He is my Savior.

The wise will choose companions well
Who also love the Christ
Who rescued them from sin and hell
When He was sacrificed.

Beware of the familiar friend
That laughs and leads astray
Until your path comes to its end,
Then looks the other way.

Throng of His Thoughts

"Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered... Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire... Lo, I come: in the volume of the Book it is written of Me.... The Lord thinketh upon me: Thou are my Help and my Deliverer" (Psalm 40:5-7, 18).

Consider the thoughts of our Lord toward us
That throng us with mercies so kind.
They cannot be reckoned; they're too numerous
To count or to grasp with our mind.

But God has selected, and thus simplified,
Some wonderful thoughts in this throng,
By showing His mercy and truth prophesied,
To give us our joyful new song!

Now in the volume of Scripture I see
His promise to die for my sin!
How precious the truth that He thinks upon me!
It's almost too much to take in!

Worth Winning

"He that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).

What is really worth our striving
That will gain the hard-won prize?
What's our purpose that is driving?
He that wins a soul is wise!

When we take the time to pause
And prayerfully prioritize,
What's our most important cause?
He that wins a soul is wise!

The ultimate reality
Is what's important in God's eyes.
What is God's priority?
He that wins a soul is wise!

Christ has so esteemed our worth
That He would suffer, die, and rise.
That is why He came to earth.
He that wins a soul is wise!

Let us then assess the soul
By what the Scripture testifies.
Read it in the Sacred Scroll:
"He that winneth souls is wise."

Gospel in the Gap

"I sought for a man among them, that they should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30). "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).

God is still searching for those who will heed
His calling to stand in gap for the land.
He's looking for those who will yet intercede,
And those who steadfastly for His name will stand.

Whom shall He find, then, to make up the hedge
And stand in the breach of the broken down wall
Where so many souls at eternity's edge
Have not yet responded to God's gracious call?

Stand in the gap while God is yet seeking
For those who are ready to share the good news.
Silence is sin when we ought to be speaking
To plead with the souls who have so much to lose!

Seasoned Servants

"And when they were come to him [Paul], he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons.... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:18,27).

God will season every servant
As He leads them on through life.
Thus He makes them faithful, fervent,
Through times of peace and times of strife.

From the first day to the last,
God is working in His own.
Every care on Him we cast,
As we trust in Him alone.

God is faithful in all seasons,
Though we falter and we fail.
Add that to your list of reasons
Why you know He will prevail.

Let us therefore never shun
To show the counsel of God's grace,
For seasons here shall soon be done,
And we shall see Him face to face.

Rather than Rubies

"Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.... for whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord" (Proverbs 8:11,35).

How shall we measure what wisdom is worth
That bids us to trust in the Lord?
It's better than rubies and all that the earth
In her hidden treasure has stored.

Better than all that the heart may desire
Is wisdom that our God prepares
For those who will seek Him; no treasure is higher!
There's nothing that even compares!

Come and explore these riches untold
As wisdom unveils God's favor.
Rather than rubies or silver or gold,
Choose wisdom, and thus find the Savior!

Sharing amid Shouting

"And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:33,34).

The world chooses not to hear
The truth that leaves no doubt.
So if a voice would make it clear,
They simply drown it out.

Those who give a clear defense
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
No matter how much evidence,
Are often just ignored.

There may be those among that crowd
To whom our God is speaking;
So while the Gospel is allowed,
We preach for those yet seeking.

The world has its angry voices
That shout with consternation.
We do not make for them their choices,
But plead for their salvation.

Commended 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" (Proverbs 6:20,22).

Our Father in heaven has given command
To love Him with all that's within:
With heart, soul, and strength that He gives us to stand
With every new day we begin.

Our Father's commandment should surely be kept,
For daily it leads as we walk;
It also will keep us whenever we've slept,
And when we awake it will talk.

And so God commends His commandment to us,
For He surely knows what we need.
While sleeping, when waking, and going forth thus
He will keep, He will talk, and will lead.

Global Goodness

"The Word of the Lord is right... The the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.... He spake and it was (done); He commanded and it stood fast.... Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death.... He is our Help and our Shield" (Psalm 33:4,5,9,19-20).

The goodness of God is everywhere found
In all of the earth wherever we look.
Through all of creation His glories abound,
As well as in every word in His Book.

How great are the things in the earth our Lord does,
Upholding all things by the Word of His power!
By that Word of power, He spoke and it was:
Each marvelous creature, each beautiful flower.

Yet there is a goodness beyond His creation
(Though that is enough to exhaust heaven's praise).
Come, read in His Word of His wondrous salvation:
How great is the goodness His mercy displays!

Interrupted by Instruction

"Blessed is the man... in whose spirit there is no guile... Thou art my Hiding Place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye" (Psalm 32:2,7,8).

Sometimes God may interrupt
A thing or two we say,
And though at times it seems abrupt,
We're better off that way.

Yes, even in the midst of praise
That sings of His perfection,
The Lord, in unexpected ways,
May greet us with correction.

Yet I would rather have instructions
Preserving me from trouble,
Than vain and lofty introductions
That end in moral rubble.

Thank you, Lord, for your reproof
That interrupts our style
To rescue us when we're aloof
And blinded by our guile.

Courage to Continue

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:9). "Then spake the Lord to Paul in a night vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee" (Acts 18:10,11).

Take courage, all who trust the Lord!
Don't let your heart despair.
The strength you need will be restored;
Just cast on Him your care.

Take courage! Hear what God has said:
"Be not afraid, but speak!"
Trust not yourself, but Christ instead,
And you shall not be weak.

Take courage! Give your trembling heart
To Christ, your strong Defender.
The strength He gives He will impart
When we to Him surrender.

Senseless Silence

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: 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).

How can I be silent? Why shouldn't I sing?
God has replaced my sackcloth of sadness!
The grave has been conquered! Death lost its sting!
I'm dancing with joy and I'm girded with gladness!

It doesn't make sense to go on in sorrow:
The Lord is my Savior and very best Friend!
He's always been faithful, He will be tomorrow,
And shall be forever, for days without end.

The reason for silence has vanished away;
The reason for singing is clearly in view:
Once, like a sheep, I was going astray.
Now I am saved, and I'm heaven bound too!

Bible vs. Babble

"And Paul, as his manner was... reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead, and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.... Then certain philosophers... encountered him. And some said, what will this babbler say?" (Acts 17:2,18).

The clearest message through the ages,
With evidence for its conclusion,
Is found within the Bible's pages
In contrast to this world's confusion.

Philosophers may lightly dabble
Within the Scriptures now and then,
Yet hold to philosophic babble,
Preferring words from mortal men.

Let us therefore clearly see
This world's babble in disguise,
That mocks all those who disagree,
And praises all who deem it wise.

Let the Bible take its place
Above this world's noisy chatter,
And speak with confidence and grace
Of things that shall forever matter.