Expected End

"I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search with all of your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

The plans revealed by the LORD
For our expected end
Convey His thoughts of peace toward
His own to comprehend.

We call to Him with expectation,
Assured that He will hear,
And all who search for His salvation
Will find that He is near.

We thank You for Your wondrous love,
O Lord, for sinful man
And for the expectation of
Salvation's final plan!

Word and Wings

"Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5). "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not" (Matthew 23:37).

The Word of God is pure indeed;
It holds the balm by which we're healed.
It is the truth by which we're freed
By trusting God, who is our Shield.

For all who trust the Lord will find
He shields them just a would hen,
Since Christ our Savior was so kind,
He gave Himself for sinful men.

O Lord, we thank You for Your Word
And for the Gospel that it brings.
With grateful worship we are stirred
Beneath the shadow of Your wings.

Lifting our Looking

"In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up" (Psalm 5:3). "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD" (Proverbs 29:25,26).

It does no good to look around
To find God's perfect peace,
For only in our Lord is found
The Source of its release.

It does no good to look within
Our heart to conquer strife,
For there the Lord exposes sin
So troubling in our life.

It does no good to seek the favor
Of rulers over men,
But when we trust our Lord and Savior,
His peace shall find us then.

Lord, as we lift our eyes each day,
We daily find it true
That as we're looking up to pray
We find our peace in You.

Don't Diminish

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word" (Jeremiah 26:2).

There is a race we're called to run
With patience till our course is finished.
There is a harvest work not done:
So may it never be diminished.

There is a Gospel we should preach:
Diminish not a single word.
It is God's message that we teach,
So may we never be deterred.

The Word of God today commands
Eternal souls to now repent.
May every heart that understands
Declare this Gospel where they're sent.

O Lord, we thank You that You gave
Your undiminished words of light.
It is the Gospel that will save,
And every single word is right!

He Hears

"Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill" (Psalm 3:2-4). "Two blind men... cried out saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more.... So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him" (Matthew 20:30-34).

How many there are who will wrongly suppose
That there is no help in our God from above.
But God nonetheless is attentive to those
Who hope in His mercy and trust in His love.

"He heard me!" the psalmist so joyfully said;
In spite of the contrary voices, God heard!
He shielded David and lifted his head,
And thus He will do for those trusting His Word.

The blind called to Jesus with all of their might;
Though others rebuked them, they cried all the more.
The Lord heard their voices and gave them their sight;
He hears our petitions above the crowd's roar.

O Lord, we rejoice in the privilege of prayer;
You know our desires; You dry every tear.
And so upon You we will cast every care,
Assured by Your promise that You always hear.

Kiss the King

"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.... Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him" (Psalm 2:2,3,12).

The offer stands to kiss the Son,
To worship Christ, and so begin
To celebrate what He has done,
Who by Himself has purged our sin.

How blest are those who put their trust
In Jesus Christ, who reigns above!
How strange it is that some will thrust
His cords away of saving love!

There is but one alternative
To Christ's redemptive, saving path:
For all who choose the Son shall live,
But those who won't have chosen wrath.

O Lord, our King, receive our kiss
With love because You loved us first!
What wondrous love we see in this:
That for our blessing, You were cursed!

Challenge the Chaff

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly... but his delight is in the law of the LORD... and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away" (Psalm 1:1-4). "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not My Word like as fire? saith the LORD, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:28).

What is chaff compared to wheat?
What is stubble to the fire?
Challenge every vain deceit:
Exalt the truth; expose the liar.

Let the dreamer dream his dream;
God has given us His Word.
Things are not what they may seem,
Challenge, therefore, what you've heard.

Lord, we thank You that You gave
Your Word on which we meditate.
We love Your Gospel that will save,
And thereby every falsehood hate.

Symphony of Simplicity

"Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 150:6). "Jesus... was transfigured before them: and.... a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.... And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only" (Matthew 17:1-7).

A symphony has many parts
That each musician knows and plays,
And likewise worship from our hearts
Should join to give our Savior praise!

We lift our hearts to praise our Lord
For who He is and what He's done.
How worthy is the Lamb adored!
We praise our Savior, God the Son!

We lift our eyes: no man we see
But Christ and all His love in action.
And in this sweet simplicity
We worship Him without distraction.

O Lord, we join to lift our voice
To thank You that You would redeem
The multitudes who now rejoice
To praise You with their grateful theme!

Lose to Live

"My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways" (Proverbs 23:26). "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26).

There is a truth that's clearly sliced
With heaven's sharpened knife:
We either give our heart to Christ
Or we will lose our life.

Our life is more than things we hold
That perish with the earth.
For what exchange shall it be sold?
And what is our soul worth?

No wonder God our Father pleads:
"My son, give Me thine heart!"
For thus He meets our deepest needs,
And we from sin depart.

We thank You, Lord, for liberty
And life that shall be found,
As we surrender and are free
Through grace that shall abound.

Words Within

"Train up a child in the way he should go.... 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 send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:6,20,21). "Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay" (Jeremiah 20:9).

The words of God are like a fire
That burns within our bones,
That fills us with our Lord's desire
To heal the heart that groans.

Has He not written certainly
That we might know the truth,
That we might answer faithfully
And also train our youth?

Yes, even when there is frustration,
The fire does not cease.
We hold the words of God's salvation:
How can we hold our peace?

O Lord, we give You thanks today
For words that You provide
Which burn with truth that cannot stay
In speechlessness inside.

Starry Story

"The heavens declare the glory of God.... Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.... He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.... He sendeth forth His commandment upon earth: His word runneth very swiftly.... He sendeth out His word.... He showeth His word" (Psalm 19:1-4, 147:4-19).

The heavens are telling their great starry story,
Exalting our Savior and Lord.
Through all of the earth they're declaring His glory;
Their message should not be ignored!

The wonderful Gospel of God that is shown
And sent forth through all of the earth
Is found in the stars by their names He made known,
Declaring His word and His worth.

The stars have their names which the Lord has assigned;
His glory He thereby declares.
How gracious is God who reveals His mind
And shows us how greatly He cares.

O Lord, we rejoice in the glory proclaimed
In earth and in heaven above
That You have declared in the stars You have named
With words that unveil Your love!

Parable Portraits

"Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46).

The parable portraits our Savior displayed,
As treasures so fervently sought,
Reveal the price He was willing to trade,
That souls by His life might be bought.

How great is the mystery that Christ here revealed
To show us how much we are worth:
Like treasure He found that was hid in a field
Are souls He redeems in the earth!

We see this again in the pearl so prized,
The merchant who bought it would sell
All things that he had, which thus dramatized
The Lord who redeemed us from hell.

O Lord, we give thanks for such marvelous love,
Assigning such worth to our soul,
That You set aside all Your riches above
To pay our redemption in full!

Searched and Saved

"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all the call upon Him in truth.... He also will hear their cry, and will save them" (Psalm 145:18,19). "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.... Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise" (Jeremiah 17:10,14).

The LORD is near to everyone
Who calls on Him in truth,
To those whose days are nearly done,
To those in tender youth.

He hears the cry of all who call;
He searches hearts within.
The Lord extends His grace to all
Who turn to Him from sin.

We thank You, Lord, that You revealed
The way of Your salvation:
Through Christ we are forever healed
And saved from condemnation!

Children of Choices

"Blessed be the LORD.... my high tower" (Psalm 144:1,2). "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.... Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:10,21). "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.... But wisdom is justified of her children.... Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:16-28).

The choices we're making in our generation
Will give birth to joy or to sorrow one day.
The children of wisdom inherit salvation;
The children of folly shall reap their dismay.

We're children of choices between death and life;
The Gospel of Christ offers soul-saving power.
We choose peace with God when we lay down our strife
And come to the Savior, our strong and high Tower.

The choices we're making are not in the dark,
For God has illumined each soul with His light,
For just as when Noah was building the ark,
Then Lord gives us choices between wrong and right.

O Lord, we give thanks that You gave us the choice
To flee to the Tower in Christ and be blest!
How sweet was the sound when we first heard His voice
Who called us to come and in Him find our rest!

Hungry Hearts

"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). "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts" (Jeremiah 15:16).

There is a hunger in the heart
Of those who know the Savior
To hear the words He will impart
With truth and loving favor.

We listen to our Savior talk
With words of lovingkindness.
It is by faith in Him we walk,
Though we once walked in blindness.

We listen with an appetite;
His words are like a feast,
And thus we find with every bite
Our joy is still increased.

O cause us, Lord, to hear You still
With hunger everyday
That we may thereby know Your will
And joyfully obey!

Christ Cared

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.... but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge" (Psalm 142:3-5). "When He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew 9:35,36).

There was a season in my life
When I had great distress,
So overwhelmed with inner strife
Submerged in hopelessness.

It did not help to turn to friends,
For no man seemed to care
About the truth when this life ends;
They left me in despair.

I turned to Jesus Christ at last
(There was no other choice!)
With all my hope upon Him cast
And lifted up my voice.

I thank You, Lord, that You were moved
With love that was so true
That You would wait until I proved
That no one cared like You!

Christ our Cleanser

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.... O Jerusalem! Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be?" (Jeremiah 13:23,27). "There came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (Matthew 8:2,3). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

We know the Ethiopian can never change his skin,
We surely know the leopard cannot ever change his spots,
And neither can there ever be a sinner cleansed from sin
Who will not seek the Savior and forsake his wicked thoughts.

The leper sought for cleansing when he came to Jesus Christ;
He didn't look for remedies in books upon the shelf.
He knew that Christ had power, and His alone sufficed,
For cleansing that he never could have found within himself.

We thank You for Your promise, Lord, for cleansing everyday
For all who put their trust in You and call upon Your name,
Assured that You are faithful when we sincerely pray,
To cleanse us from unrighteousness because You bore our shame.

Weary Warriors

"O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle" (Psalm 140:7). "If thou hast run with footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" (Jeremiah 12:5).

O God, my Lord, You are my Strength
When battle lines are drawn.
My course is set; I'll run its length,
Renewed as morning's dawn.

Though weary of the battle fought,
And fainting in the race,
I know I'll find the strength I've sought
In Your unfailing grace.

O Lord, through You we rise again
To fight the darkest forces,
And gain the strength to outrun men
And overtake their horses.

We come to You in weariness,
O God of our salvation,
And find, from strength to strength, You bless
With daily restoration.

Searching Hearts, Seeking Heaven

"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 139:23,24). "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Search me, Lord, and know my heart;
Explore my thoughts and ways,
That I may from my sin depart
And live to give You praise.

Cleanse me, Lord, now thoroughly,
That I may seek Your face,
That evil may not hinder me
From Your intended grace.

Lead me, Lord, to find Your will
And quickly to obey,
And thus Your righteousness fulfill
While it is called Today.

Perfecting v. Perishing

"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands" (Psalm 138:8). "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing" (Jeremiah 10:23). "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

The Lord who saves us from our sin
Then gives us His direction,
And that is when He will begin
To work on our perfection.

We surely know we would have perished
Without so great a Savior,
And now because we are so cherished,
He transforms our behavior.

O Lord, we know Your way for man
Is not from human hearts,
But rather through Your perfect plan
Where our perfection starts.

Glistening Glory

"Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23,24).

The glory of God is discovered today
By each one who earnestly listens
And honestly heeds what the Savior will say,
Who shows us where true glory glistens.

It's not in the wisdom this world applauds;
It's neither in riches nor might.
The glory that glistens forever is God's,
Who welcomes us into His light!

O Lord, let the glory of Christ in us shine
To show forth the love found in Him
With righteousness met by redemption Divine,
As all other glories grow dim!

Summer Season

"He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" (Proverbs 10:5). "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.... Astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:20-22).

Behold, the summer season ends,
Yet many stray like sheep!
The Lord of all the harvest sends,
Yet many workers sleep!

Behold the harvest fields white:
We lift our eyes to see,
Yet soon the day gives way to night,
And then eternity.

Lord, stir us with astonishment,
Before our day is past,
That You may find us diligent
In reaping souls at last.

Wisdom of Worship

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise Him, O ye servants of the LORD.... for the Lord is good.... for I know that the LORD is great.... Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He in heaven and in earth" (Psalm 135:1-6). "There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.... And when they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:1-11).

We worship the Savior because He is good;
We praise Him for what He has done.
We give Him the glory, as rightly we should,
Exalting His name, God the Son!

We come as the wise men to worship the King,
We follow His star to the place
Where we may behold Him and joyfully bring
Thanksgiving for all of His grace.

O Lord, we would worship You now with the treasure
Of souls that You bought for a price,
Astounded to know, Lord, that it was Your pleasure
To save us through Christ's sacrifice!

Gentile Genealogy

"The book of the generation Jesus Christ... Booz [Boaz] of Rechab [Rehab], and Booz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David the king" (Matthew 1:1-6).

The gentiles listed in the line
Of Jesus Christ our Savior
Were certainly, by God's design,
To manifest His favor.

Though Rehab lived in Jericho
In judgment's fearful path,
By faith in God she came to know
Deliverance from His wrath.

Though Ruth was widowed and forlorn
By faith she found her place
With Boaz, and from them was born
The line of Christ we trace.

O Lord, we see Your mercy shown
Through every generation
As You, by faith, have thus made known
Your marvelous salvation!

Consider the Conclusion

"The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31). "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

What is your pleasure? What tickles your ear?
The devil has answers that fit like a glove!
Yet God is still pleading with those who will hear:
O what will you do in the ending thereof?

Religions abound that conform to the will
Of those now refusing God's counsel of love.
The Spirit of God is reproving them still,
Warning their souls of the ending thereof.

O Lord, we have heard and believe the conclusion:
Surely You're coming from heaven above!
Even so, come, Lord, despite the confusion
Of those who regard not the ending thereof!

Desired Dwelling

"This is My rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it" (Psalm 132:14). "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3).

Where is the place that the Lord God will dwell?
What is His answer from Scripture inspired?
Behold, in the midst of those ransomed from hell:
This is His dwelling that He has desired!

Astonishing answer! Amazing selection,
That God has thus chosen to make us His rest
And dwell with the sinners He brings to perfection,
Forever redeemed and eternally blest!

O Lord, we give thanks for Your marvelous grace
That lifts us to dwell in Your presence above!
How great is Your mercy preparing a place
Where we shall forever rejoice in Your love!

Lamentable Lake

"Hear Me therefore, O ye children.... Lest.... thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!" (Proverbs 5:7-12). "We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God" (Jeremiah 3:25). "The books were opened.... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:12,15).

How awful at last is that greatest mistake:
Refusing the offer of God for salvation,
Consigning the soul to that terrible lake
With fiery judgment and sore lamentation!

How clearly the Lord has revealed the way
That saves us from judgment and endless destruction!
O why should you perish, O sinner, and say:
Alas! How I've hated God's gracious instruction!

We lie down in shame and are filled with confusion,
Until we acknowledge our sin and repent.
Praise God for the Gospel that brings this conclusion:
To trust in the Savior that Heaven has sent!

O Lord, we give thanks for unspeakable grace
That brought Jesus Christ to accomplish redemption
By bearing our sin on the cross in our place
To grant us salvation and judgment's exemption!

Fountain Forsaken

"With the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption" (Psalm 130:7). "Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:12,13).

A Fountain is flowing toward every nation
With mercy and plenteous redemption for all.
The Lord is that Fountain, yet He is forsaken
By many refusing His merciful call!

The heavens behold with astonished dismay
At those who choose cisterns so broken and dry:
Rejecting the Fountain of life on display,
They spurn living waters that God would supply!

O Lord, we give thanks for the mercy You've shown
Providing Your waters of life for our thirst.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is that Fountain alone
Where blessing yet flows in a land that is cursed.

Confident vs. Confounded

"Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.... The LORD is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion" (Psalm 129:2-5). "The LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken" (Proverbs 3:26). "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 1:8).

How many times my foes assailed
My soul throughout my life,
Yet by God's grace have not prevailed
Against me by their strife.

How many times it surely sounded
Like I would never rise,
But God upheld me and confounded
My foes to their surprise.

O Lord, since You're my Confidence,
My foot shall not be taken.
Why should I fear the countenance
Of foes who shall be shaken?

Finding His Fear

"If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3,4). "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth as My Word" (Isaiah 66:2).

The fear of God is understood,
The knowledge of the Lord we find,
When we are praying as we should
And searching with an earnest mind.

To such a person God will look:
To him who trembles at His Word,
To him who searches in His Book,
And will obey what he has heard.

O Lord, we're finding in Your fear
The joy of drawing near to You,
And as You make Your knowledge clear,
It is Your heart that we pursue.

Heart and Hands

"I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded, but ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof" (Proverbs 1:24). "I said, Behold Me, behold Me.... I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts" (Isaiah 65:1,2).

Hear the Lord pour out His heart!
See the Lord extend His hands!
Yet how many still depart,
Regarding not the Lord's commands!

The heart of God has been revealed;
His hands are spread out all the day,
Declaring that we may be healed,
Though we, like sheep, have gone astray.

We thank You, Lord, that You have spoken
To save us from eternal loss
And heal hearts that have been broken
With hands outstretched upon the cross!