Powerfully Persuaded

"Happy is he... whose hope is in the LORD his God, which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever" (Psalm 146:5,6). "He [Abraham] believed, even God, who... calleth those things which be not as though they were.... 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 He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:20,21).

Our God who created the heaven and earth,
The sea, and the splendor within them that is,
Has thus demonstrated His power and worth,
Persuading the faith of all who are His.

It surely transcends our most lofty thought
To think how creation had come to exist.
For God called it forth while yet it was not,
Displaying the power that none can resist.

O Lord, we have seen by the things that You made
Your power displayed in the work of creation,
And yet there is more now to further persuade:
You gave us Your Son who accomplished salvation!

Lord, we're persuaded that all You have said
Will find its fulfillment in its proper time.
Just as You promised to rise from the dead,
Your Word is the truth, and Your proof is sublime!

Just and Justifier

"The LORD is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them" (Psalm 145:17-19). "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through he redemption that is in Christ Jesus.... that He might be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Romans 3:23-26).

God is righteous in His ways,
And He is holy in His deeds,
Yet saves the sinner when he prays
Though justice yet against him pleads.

But God has answered justice well
By dying in the sinner's place.
Though we deserve eternal hell,
Our God has saved us by His grace.

The Lord remains completely just
With holiness uncompromised,
In justifying all who trust
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

You knew, Lord, what it would require
Upon the cross to save our soul.
That You might be our Justifier,
You paid our penalty in full.

Thank You, Lord, for what You did
That justice might be satisfied.
Our sins, which never could be hid,
Are judged, and we are justified!

Understanding Unbelief

"Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5). "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and overcome when Thou art judged" (Romans 3:3,4).

The evidence that God is true
Has surely never lacked,
And unbelief cannot undo
That never-changing fact.

Those who truly seek the Lord
Will understand and find
The truth that others have ignored
Who willfully are blind.

We know the truth that God inspires
Forevermore shall reign,
And all who disagree are liars,
And unbelief is vain.

We thank You, Lord, for absolutes
Above this world's opinion
Because Your truth has solid roots
In Your supreme dominion.

Foresight of Faith

"Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee" (Psalm 143:8). "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.... A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished" (Proverbs 27:1,12).

There is a foresight that God gives
To those who trust His love.
It is by faith His child lives,
Assured of things above.

And though the details of tomorrow
Are hidden from our mind,
We are assured in joy or sorrow
That God is always kind.

We know there's evil that would stalk
Our way to make us stumble,
But God will show us how to walk,
And faith will keep us humble.

O Lord, we thank You for Your Word
That we may thus foresee
The certainty of things assured
For all eternity.

Pity on my Path

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.... Refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my Refuge and my Portion in the land of the living" (Psalm 142:3-5). "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4).

There was a time upon my path
When I was overwhelmed,
Much like a ship in stormy wrath,
When I was at the helm.

The horror of eternity
Was all I saw ahead;
With no escape in front of me,
My heart was filled with dread.

I looked for others who might care,
But sadly, there was none.
I cried to God in my despair,
For refuge in His Son.

The waves and wind then heard His voice;
Their raging then did cease.
How greatly did I then rejoice!
How great then was my peace!

The goodness of my God had sent
The raging wind and sea,
That He might lead me to repent,
And do so earnestly.

O Lord, I thank You for Your love
That rescued me from wrath
When You beheld me from above
With pity on my path!

American Ambassador

"A faithful messenger... refresheth the soul.... As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country" (Proverbs 25:13,25). "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.... I am debtor.... I am ready.... I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:8-16).

America, from shore to shore,
God shined on you His face,
And made you an ambassador
And debtor to His grace.

America, now thank the Lord
For your unique foundation
Upon which blessings have been poured:
The Gospel of salvation.

America, do not forget
That God has blessed you so!
You bear the Gospel and the debt
To let the world know.

America, be not ashamed
Of your foundation laid!
The name of Christ you once proclaimed
Should never be betrayed!

America, it's time to turn,
Before it is too late,
To God again that you may learn
His mercy made you great.

America, there is a way
That you may be restored,
If you are humble and will pray
And turn to seek the Lord.

We thank You, Lord, that You addressed
This promise to Your own;
Revive America so blessed
To make Your glory known!

Our Back in Our Battles

"O God the Lord, the Strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle" (Psalm 140:7). "A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again" (Proverbs 24:16).

How often was there an attack
That went without detection,
When God was watching then our back
And gave our head protection!

How many times when we have slept
Was God our Guardian then?
How often, when we fell, He kept
And raised us up again!

Perhaps when we arrive in heaven
And look back on our life,
We'll see the times (much more than seven!)
God rescued us in strife.

Until that time we would be wise
To thank God constantly
For blessings hidden from our eyes
And those that we can see.

O Lord, before we even knew,
You sheltered us from loss
When all our sins were laid on You
Upon that cruel cross.

We thank You, Lord, because You are
The Strength of our salvation,
Our great Protector, never far
In every situation.

Searching for Surrender

"O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.... Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:1,23,24). "My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways" (Proverbs 23:26).

O Lord, I hear Your voice so tender,
As You have searched my heart:
You're calling me for more surrender
Of every inward part.

O Lord, I'll add my invitation
To search my heart within:
I know I need examination
To purge my heart from sin.

O Lord, there surely is a need
To search me everyday
To purify my heart indeed
Of every wicked way.

O Lord, it is a joy to give
My heart each day to You;
There is no other way to live
Abundantly and true.

Thank You, Lord, for searching me
With eyes that watch with love,
Until the day I'll fully be
Surrendered up above.

Anchor of our Answer

"The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge.... That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 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, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that sent unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:12,19-21). "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25).

The anchor of our trust today
Is in God's written Word.
His prophecies now on display
Make unbelief absurd.

That we may put in Him our trust,
God gives us certainty;
His Word is like an anchor thrust,
Unmoved eternally.

That we may answer those who ask
Why we have confidence,
The Lord has given us the task
To show His evidence.

To manifest that God has spoken
To those who ask a reason,
We show His prophecies unbroken,
Completed in their season.

The written Scriptures that we hold,
Our Lord preserved unflawed.
We trust the things therein we're told,
For we believe in God.

Hopelessly Hardened

"A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, He directeth his way" (Proverbs 21:29). "And as he [Paul] spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.... Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:24,28).

The sinner with a hardened face
May speak with rage or apathy,
But either way he turns from grace
And misses heaven hopelessly.

Both Festus and Agrippa heard
The testimony that Paul gave.
One was angry; one was stirred,
But none of these responses save.

For both the one who will reject
The Lord with blasphemy like some,
Or simply chooses to neglect
Shall not escape the wrath to come.

O Lord, we thank You for Your voice
Which, by Your Spirit from above,
Persuaded us to make the choice
To turn to You and trust Your love.

Forming the Faithful

"A faithful man, who can find?.... The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly" (Proverbs 20:6,27). "Hananiah... was a faithful man, and feared God above many" (Nehemiah 7:2). "Saul, Saul.... I am Jesus whom thou persecutest..... I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness" (Acts 26:14-16).

We cannot find a faithful man
Unless God works within.
Apart from God there is no plan
To cleanse him from his sin.

A faithful man will fear the Lord
And live to give Him pleasure.
The smile of God is his reward;
God's purpose is his treasure.

Saul of Tarsus would have fought
Until his final breath
Unless the Lord in mercy sought
And ransomed him from death.

The plan of Saul was sinister
Before he heard God's call,
Yet God made him a minister,
The great apostle Paul.

O Lord, we need You everyday
To search our inward part
That You may have in us Your way
To form a faithful heart.

Activity of the Almighty

"I know the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.... the idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands" (Psalm 135:5,6,15).

The Lord Almighty made the skies,
The earth, and all the seas.
Creation clearly testifies:
God does what He will please.

An idol fashioned by a nation
With mouth, and eyes, and ears
Can never hold a conversation;
It neither sees nor hears.

The point is this: God has displayed
His truth by His BEHAVIOR,
Through everything that He has made
And sending us a Savior.

We know, O Lord, that You are great
By all that You have done.
Yet most of all we celebrate
The Gift of Your own Son.

Solace in Solitude

"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.... The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.... There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:1,10,24).

There is a solace we must find
When we are all alone,
As in a solitude of mind
We draw near to God's throne.

This is where we find the tower
Of Jesus' lofty name
As here we are renewed with power
And solace that we claim.

This is where we find the Friend
That's closer than a brother;
This is when we comprehend
His love is like no other.

This is where we can retreat
To draw near to our Lord,
As fellowship with Him is sweet
And solace is restored.

This is where we are renewed
With solace by His grace
In times of quiet solitude
When we may seek His face.

Lord, we're lifted by Your love
To heights we could not climb,
To find Your solace from above
Within the quiet time.

Conscience with Confidence

"And herein to I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men" (Acts 24:16).

If we would live without offence
Toward God and then to men,
Let's give to God the preference,
And clear our conscience then.

That doesn't mean that we ignore
What others may desire,
But God in all things comes before
What others may require.

Though others surely will despise
This standard we present,
As long as God esteems it wise,
We can be confident.

O Lord, we thank You for the peace
In living for Your pleasure.
So may all other standards cease
That do not meet this measure.

Will to Work

"So built we the wall; and the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6). "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.... A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:3,9).

Nehemiah heard the call,
Along with others too,
To build again the broken wall
As God would have them do.

The people had a willing mind
To build as God had said.
So may we likewise be inclined,
And by the Lord be led.

For surely there's a work today
That isn't yet fulfilled
For every heart that will obey
The Lord's command to build.

Make us willing, Lord, and wise
To build where You assigned;
Not as we ourselves devise,
But as You have designed.

Orchestrated by Omniscience

"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me" (Psalm 131:1,2). "And the night following, the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome" (Acts 23:11).

My life is like a tapestry
Designed with heaven's love;
It's like a brilliant symphony
Composed by God above.

Omniscience surely orchestrated
My personal salvation,
No less than when the Lord created
The work of all creation.

Reflecting on His work of grace
When sorrows had their season,
I know these also had their place
For God's omniscient reason.

The hand of God was on Paul's life,
In every trial near.
The Lord stood by him in the strife,
And gave to him good cheer.

And though I can't compare to Paul,
I am no less assured
That in my life God orders all
According to His Word.

I thank You, Lord, and well I should,
For how You orchestrate
The matters of my life for good,
In all things small and great.

Bold to Build

"The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build" (Nehemiah 2:20). "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.... In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge" (Proverbs 14:1,26).

The God of heaven calls His own
To build with His instruction.
The only other option shown
Is self-imposed destruction.

It's option one or option two;
There is no option three.
We either build each day anew
Or tear down foolishly.

We're called to build with confidence
As unto God alone.
He is our Refuge and Defense,
The God of heaven's throne.

So let us now be bold to build
While it is called today,
That we may see our work fulfilled
Before we pass away.

O help us, Lord, and make us wise
To build as You command,
So when the storms of life arise,
Our work for You will stand.

Troubled Transgressor

"Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard" (Proverbs 13:15). "And the Lord said... it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.... And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And I answered, Who art Thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.... And I said, what shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 9:5, 22:7-10).

The transgressor ought to assess his behavior
And question himself in regard
To why he opposes the Lord and His favor,
Thus choosing the way that is hard.

Paul, the apostle, remembered so well
The road to Damascus that led
To trusting the Savior who saved him from hell,
Receiving His favor instead.

Troubled transgressor, how long will you wait?
Tomorrow is not guaranteed!
Now flee from transgression before it's too late,
When mercy shall no longer plead!

O Lord, we give thanks for Your refuge of grace
Awaiting all those who will turn
And flee from transgression by seeking Your face
To favor we never could earn!

Scalpel of Scripture

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.... Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:18,25). "Paul... said to the chief captain, May I speak unto thee?.... I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people" (Acts 21:37,39).

Like the piercings of a sword
That carelessly can maim,
If discretion is ignored
Our tongue can do the same.

Heaviness within the heart
May need a surgeon's glove
To use a word that will impart
The healing of God's love.

A scalpel in the surgeon's hand
Performs with great precision.
So let us likewise understand
Our Scriptural commission.

For we are called to rightly use
The Scripture from the Lord.
At times a scalpel we must choose
And other times a sword.

Lord, teach us in each situation
What Scripture is revealing,
Whether battling for salvation
Or bringing tender healing.

With or Without

"Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.... The fruit of the womb is His reward" (Psalm 127:1,3). "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). "The will of the Lord be done" (Acts 21:14).

The will of the Lord shall surely be done,
With or without us, for He is the Lord.
But we'll have the joy of seeing souls won
If with Him we labor to see this reward.

Our houses are built and cities are kept,
But not without God's attendance and grace.
For workmen and watchmen may just have well slept,
If we have forgotten to seek the Lord's face.

The fruit of the womb is a blessing we see
In children the Lord gives to cherish and train.
The fruit of the righteous is shown as a tree
Where God gives the increase of souls that we gain.

With or without us, Lord, You shall fulfill
The things You have purposed to do all along,
Yet we would partake in the joy of Your will,
For with You we're right, but without You we're wrong.

Compelling Compassion

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5,6). "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" (Proverbs 10:5).

Our Lord's commandment now is "Go!"
Go forth to every nation,
And preach the Gospel that we know
Communicates salvation.

Our own compassion should compel
Our urgency with tears,
For those who blindly march to hell,
As now their judgment nears.

Our precious seed shall surely yield
Its fruit for those who toil
And go forth in the harvest field
Where hearts await as soil.

Now turn us, Lord, to do Your will
Since we have heard Your voice,
Compelled by Your compassion till
With sheaves we may rejoice.

Sparse Space

"And now for a little space, grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage" (Ezra 9:8).

Our God has now permitted space,
A little opportunity,
Extending to His people grace
To exercise it prudently.

A little space now has arrived,
A little window that God gave,
That we by grace may be revived
To show that Jesus Christ will save.

We know the window soon will close
To use this grace that we receive
To preach of Christ who died and rose
And lives to save all who believe.

So grant us wisdom, Lord, to live,
Redeeming time, while yet we may,
To use the grace You freely give
Within this moment called "today."

No More Nightmare

"If it had not been the LORD who was on our side.... then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul.... Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:1-8). "And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and such as lay in wait by the way" (Ezra 8:31).

It's good for us to contemplate
Salvation with this thought:
Christ redeemed us from our fate,
But what if He had not?

How could we escape our sin
And our despair as well?
We'd see the end now closing in:
The precipice of hell!

Like a nightmare that remains
And worsens when we wake,
How could we escape the pains
Of hell's approaching lake?

But God descended from above
To take the sinner's place
And thus delivered us with love
Through His amazing grace!

O Lord, how lovely is the dawn
Since we awake with You!
The nightmare is forever gone,
For You made all things new!

Error of Ease

"Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud" (Psalm 123:4). "As a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life" (Proverbs 7:23). "The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all them that forsake Him" (Ezra 8:22).

Mockers scorn and take their ease;
They give no thought to seeking God.
They do not think God hears or sees,
And those just like them will applaud.

The bird that races to the snare
Portrays the error of their way:
They cast aside all prudent care,
Until their final, fatal day.

Lord, we thank You, for Your favor
Toward each one who seeks Your face:
All who seek You find the Savior,
And all who don't shall find disgrace.

Help us, Lord, to hear Your Word
Above this world's mindless scorn.
Remembering that careless bird,
We ought to pray for those we warn!

Jerusalem's Joy

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.... Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee" (Psalm 122:1,2,6).

Pray for Jerusalem; pray for her peace.
Pray for her gladness for which she has yearned.
One day her sorrows and conflicts shall cease,
As soon as the Prince of her peace has returned.

Pray that the day shall be hastened toward
Jerusalem's joy; O the prospect is sweet,
When we shall go into the house of the LORD,
And within the gates of Jerusalem meet!

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this expectation
That fills us with joy: You are coming again!
Jerusalem's peace and her great jubilation
Approaches each day! Even so, Lord, amen!

Guarding our Going

"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore" (Psalm 121:8). "Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses... according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. And.... to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra has prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" (Ezra 7:6-10). "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:9,10).

Now be not afraid, but rather be ready,
Assured that the Lord is preserving your soul.
The good hand of God will strengthen and steady
The hand of His servants who give Him control.

Ezra was ready to go where God led,
And so God was with him to show him His favor.
Preparing his heart to do what God said,
He taught what he modeled by his own behavior.

Paul was instructed by God in a vision
To stay in the city, and keep right on speaking.
God's hand would guard him throughout his commission,
As God drew the hearts of those truly seeking.

O Lord, we give thanks for Your promise to keep
And guide all our going and our coming in.
Receiving this promise, Lord, help us to reap
The souls You are drawing and saving from sin.

Waging War

"My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:6,7).

It's time for us to finally see
The battle lines are drawn,
As Satan's great hostility,
Though subtle, rages on.

As long as Satan still is loose,
Our warfare cannot cease,
For there shall never be a truce
With him who hates God's peace.

Throughout the days on earth we dwell
Until our latest hour,
We shall be waging war with hell
And its seductive power.

We shouldn't be discouraged now,
For God is on His throne,
And He will readily endow
His grace to all His own.

O Lord, until we're home with You,
Uphold us by Your grace
To fight for what we know is true,
Whatever we may face.

Scrutinized by the Scriptures

"O Lord, give me understanding according to Thy Word" (Psalm 119:169). "Let there be a search made... whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem.... Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls.... and therein was a record thus written" (Ezra 6:17-7:2). "These were more noble... in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

Let all things be scrutinized
By God's Word everyday,
For thereby truth is realized
By what the Scriptures say.

Let there be a search that's made
To see if what we've heard
Agrees with all that is conveyed
In God's unerring Word.

Search the perfect Word of God,
For God will thereby show
If what we have been told is flawed
Or whether it is so.

Thank You, Lord, for all we find
In Scriptures' holy light.
Give us readiness of mind,
Discerning what is right.

Watching our Ways

"Then rose up Zerubbabel... and Jeshua... and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. At that time came to them... companions, and said... Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?.... What are the names of the men that make this building? But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease" (Ezra 5:2-5). "I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee" (Psalm 119:168).

The eye of our God is upon us today
To cause us to build with His peace.
Who in the world can stand in our way
If God has not told us to cease?

A sparrow shall never be cast to the ground,
That's hidden from God's watching eyes,
Nor ever on earth was an empire found
Without God's permission to rise.

All of our ways, and not merely our deeds,
Before God are thoroughly known.
He calls us to pray, though He knows all our needs,
That we may draw near to His throne.

It's as in the days when the prophets proclaimed
The commandment of God to rebuild,
And workers arose, unafraid, unashamed,
Determined to do what God willed.

Knowing Your eye is upon us, O Lord,
Now teach us to live by this measure:
To seek everyday to achieve the reward
Of heartily doing Your pleasure.

Paul's Pause

"I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you" (Proverbs 1:23). "They [Paul and Silas]... were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia... they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.... And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him saying, Come over to Macedonia, and help us.... The Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them" (Acts 16:6-10).

There is a calling by God's Spirit
That may not fit our plan.
Those with ears to hear will hear it;
It does not come from man.

Paul and Silas had arranged
To preach where they intended,
But God the Holy Spirit changed
Their plans they then amended.

The Spirit of the Lord forbade
The course of their decision,
But then a Macedonian prayed:
"Come, help us!" in Paul's vision.

O Lord, we know there is a cause
Much greater than our own,
So teach us how to rightly pause
Until Your will is shown.