Present in this Place

"And Jacob went out.... and he lighted upon a certain place.... and he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it, and said.... I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest... I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and said, Surely the LORD is in this place, and I knew it not" (Genesis 28:10-16). "Who hath ascended up to heaven, or descended.... What is His name, and what is His Son's name if thou canst tell?" (Proverbs 30:4). "Jesus answered... thou shalt see greater things than these.... Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man" (John 1:50,51).

As Jacob journeyed from his home
And knew not what would lie ahead,
So we, it seems, like pilgrims roam,
Yet faithfully by God are led.

For all is not as it has seemed:
The Lord is surely in this place!
Above all that we could have dreamed,
Our God has met us with His grace!

When Jacob dreamed and saw ascending
A ladder up to heaven above
With angels up and down attending,
He saw a vision of God's love!

We know his dream's prophetic end:
It is the Son of God who came,
Descending that He might ascend
And save those calling on His name!

Lord, thank You that You came to earth
To be our Ladder to Your throne,
To make us Yours by second birth,
And grant us peace in You alone.

Heed what is Heard

"He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.... Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:1,18). "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him, God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:1-4).

In view of the words from our Lord's gracious lips
Which we have been privileged to hear,
We ought to be sure that not one of them slips
By lending a more earnest ear.

Since all of the words that the prophets have spoken
Were steadfastly shown to be true,
And evidence stands that no promise was broken,
We ought to show others this too!

Since judgment is looming for all who dismiss
The Bible as fabled tradition,
How shall they escape from that fearful abyss
Who scoff when they're warned of perdition?

O Lord, give us boldness and earnest desire
To preach with conviction Your Word,
To show heaven's glory and hell's lake of fire,
That hearts may now heed what is heard.

Message Declared in Manners Diverse

"The heavens declare the GLORY of GOD; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.... 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" (Psalm 19:1-4, 147:4). "God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son... Who being the BRIGHTNESS of His GLORY... by Himself purged our sins" (Hebrews 1:1-3).

The manners in which God Almighty arranged
To manifest Christ are diverse.
The message, however, has surely not changed:
Christ ransomed our souls from the curse!

The message proclaimed in the heavens above,
Portraying the virgin-born Seed,
Is one of God's methods proclaiming His love,
Declaring His glory indeed!

It's not up to us, with our vision so dim,
To limit the means of God's glory.
The Lord named the stars! Is it not up to Him
To use them to publish His story?

It should not surprise us that Satan now mars
The message of God in the skies,
Distorting the meaning and purpose of stars,
For he is the father of lies!

O Lord, we give thanks for the message You gave
By whatever means You thought right,
Declaring Your glory to those You would save
By purging their sins out of sight!

Generously Gentle

"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great" (Psalm 18:35).

How generous with grace is God
Who gently makes us great,
As we are found by Him so flawed
And in a sinful state.

He gives to us salvation's shield,
His right hand holds us up,
And daily blessings are revealed
Which overflow our cup.

We have no greatness of our own
Or righteousness to claim
Apart from grace, and grace alone,
That lifted us from shame.

We love You, Lord, because You first
Have loved the wayward soul;
You satisfied our inner thirst
And hunger to the full.

We thank You, Lord, and we rejoice
That You will meet the need
Of all Your sheep who hear Your voice,
Whom You will gently lead.

Decision Day

"And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.... Hinder me not.... And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go" (Genesis 24:49-58). "But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared... He saved us... that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:4-7).

There is day when souls are called
To be the Savior's bride.
Decision day cannot be stalled:
We go or we abide.

Like Abraham who sent that one
Upon that special mission
To seek a bride for his own son,
We make our own decision.

The options then are very plain:
We either stay or go.
We trust the Lord, or live in vain;
We answer yes or no.

Eternity constrains our choice
To choose while yet we may.
He call us with His Spirit's voice
While it is called Today.

But when His Spirit from above
Has heard our heartfelt, "Yes!"
God's kindness and eternal love
Are ours with righteousness.

We thank You, Lord, that You would call
And rescue by Your grace
A bride once ruined by the fall
From Adam's sinful race.

Purchased Possession

"And Abraham weighed to Ephron (lit., him of dust) the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth.... and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession" (Genesis 23:16-18). "The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea I have a goodly heritage" (Psalm 16:5,6). "The great God and our Savior Jesus Christ... gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:13,14).

By Abraham the price was paid
To make his heritage secure.
With silver of redemption weighed,
His borders thereby were made sure.

Though Ephron was a man of dust
With all those in his audience,
That price gave Abraham a trust:
That place was his forever hence.

Then how much more has God assured
That our inheritance is bought
Since He, with precious blood, secured
The lines of our eternal lot!

How pleasantly the lines are drawn,
O Lord, for our inheritance!
Our home is heaven! Sins are gone!
Redemption is our confidence!

Lord, thank You that You weighed the price
That satisfied redemption's cost;
You paid it by Your sacrifice,
Redeeming us who once were lost!

Look for the Lamb

"On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.... And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said... Where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering.... And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, in the mount of the LORD it shall be seen" (Genesis 22:4-14). "In the hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2).

We lift our eyes with Abraham;
And see afar that place
Where God provided there a Lamb
Extending to us grace!

As on the third day he could see
The place of God's selection,
We see beyond Mount Calvary
The Lamb in resurrection.

We see the greater Offering
Of Christ, the great I Am
In Isaac who was wondering,
And asked, Where is the Lamb?

Behold, the Lamb is Jesus Christ:
Our Lord, the perfect Man,
Determined to be sacrificed
Before the world began!

Jehovah-jireh (God provides)
This Lamb whom we receive!
Our Savior now in us abides,
And He will never leave!

We thank You, Lord, as we behold
The Lamb whom we adore,
As by Your Spirit You unfold
His glories more and more!

Earnest Evangelist

"Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long, for surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be cut off" (Proverbs 23:17,18). "Preach the Word.... Do the work of an evangelist.... For the time will come when they shall not endure sound doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2-5).

Be sure of this: there is an end;
The finish line is not far off.
So preach the Word; its truths defend,
Though many, as foretold, will scoff.

Be earnest in eternal things,
And serve the Lord with godly fear.
Exalt the Lord, the King of kings,
Assured that His return draws near.

Though souls may choose to not endure
The Gospel truth that saves the soul,
Still every word of God is pure,
And all are held accountable.

O Lord, we fix our eyes on You,
And thank You for the expectation
That all Your promises are true
Which yet extend Your great salvation.

We thank You, Lord, that we may be
Evangelists with earnest hearts,
Who preach the truth that makes us free
And everlasting life imparts.

Stewards of the Scriptures

"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 counsel 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 22:19-21). "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Has not the Lord provided well
His words by inspiration?
Are not we now equipped to tell
The lost of His salvation?

How excellent His counsels are
That give us certainty,
For by them we can see afar
The things that yet shall be!

We thank You for the excellence,
O Lord, within Your Word.
Its certainty is our defense
And armor that we gird.

Lord, thank You for this stewardship
Of precious words with power,
By which You thoroughly equip
And fit us for this hour.

Until the day the day we see Your face,
O Lord, may we be found
Good stewards of Your truth and grace,
Which in Your Word abound.

Set in Safety

"Help, LORD, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.... I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD; Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever" (Psalm 12:1-7). "There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but safety is of the LORD" (Proverbs 21:30,31).

The enemy puffs with an arrogant face
At all who would hold to the truth.
He scoffs at those trusting in God's saving grace,
And aims at destroying our youth.

Come help us, O Lord, for the godly man ceases!
The armies of hell gain more ground!
Deception continues, confusion increases,
And those who forget You abound!

God sets us in safety! His answer we've heard!
And none from His safety can sever:
We need nothing more than His purified Word
Preserved by His power forever.

Lord, thank You for meeting our need for protection
Against Satan's wiles today,
Providing Your counsel for us with perfection
To guard all who humbly obey.

Flawed Flight

"In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?" (Psalm 11:1). "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Now flee as a bird to your mountain, we hear
From those whose alarming perspective is flawed.
Yet we were not given the spirit of fear,
But power, and love, and a sound mind from God.

To all who have told us to flee as a bird,
We ought to inform them their efforts will fail.
For we have the promise of Christ in His Word
That hell and its armies shall never prevail.

O Lord, we give thanks for the boldness we find
When led by Your Spirit with deeper surrender,
With power, with love, and with soundness of mind,
Since You are our Savior, our Lord, and Defender!

Forsaking the Falsehood

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the LORD shall stand.... Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:21,27). "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called" (1 Timothy 6:20).

So many devices in man's wicked heart
Imagine a counsel that contradicts God's.
From all such instruction, we're called to depart,
Forsaking the counsel this world applauds.

Such "science" so called, we are called to resist,
Which argues against what the Lord says is true.
It starts with presuming that God is not there,
And that false assumption perverts all they do.

Praise God for the anchor of truth in His Word,
Defining true science with counsel that stands!
The godless assumptions of men are absurd,
Refusing to see the design of God's hands!

O Lord, we are thankful for all You have shown,
Which we are committed to teach to our youth.
So grant us the wisdom to make Your truth known,
That they may discern between falsehood and truth.

Questions of my Quest

"And the angel of the LORD... said, Hagar (lit. Sojourner)... Whence camest thou? And whither wilt thou go?.... She said, Have I also looked after Him that seeth me?" (Genesis 16:8,13). "Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.... There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:1,24).

How well I can remember when
My questions plagued me in the night.
With no one else to turn to then,
I searched for God with all my might.

Was I a product then of chance?
And what about eternity?
Was everything blind circumstance?
My questions would not let me be!

I feared my quest could have no end,
But to my joy and great surprise,
I found in God my closest Friend,
Who saw me then with loving eyes.

O Lord, I've found in You my rest,
With all my questions satisfied!
You met me in my fearful quest,
And saved me when to You I cried.

I thank You, Lord, for mercy shown
And truth unveiled on my path:
You gave Yourself, and You alone
Could save me from eternal wrath!

Until the day we meet above
Lord, help me now to clearly speak
And satisfy the quest for love
And truth in You that others seek.

Narrating, Not Numbering!

"The LORD.... brought him [Abram] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven and tell (Heb. "sawfar" narrate) the stars, if thou be able to number (same word: "sawfar" narrate) them: and He said unto Him, So shall thy Seed (i.e. Christ: Genesis 3:15, Galatians 3:6,16, "thy Seed, which is Christ") be. And he believed in the LORD, and He counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:4-6). "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, who has set Thy glory above the heavens!.... When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:1-4). "The heavens declare (Heb. "sawfar" again!) the glory of God.... There 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" (Psalm 19:1-4, 147:4).

The Lord brought Abram forth abroad
And told him then to look above
And tell the stars (all named by God),
Unveiling Christ's triumphant love.

Yes, Abram surely saw Christ's day
(As Jesus Christ so plainly said).
He knew that Christ would come to pay
Our ransom, dying in our stead.

The stars were named to understand
And to expound redemption's story.
Their WORDS have gone to every land
Declaring thus our Savior's glory.

The ancient star names we can read,
Like Virgo, Spica, and much more,
All speak of Christ, "The Virgin's Seed!"
How much there is we may explore!

So Abram didn't count each star,
But rather he was naming them.
And thereby he could see afar
His Seed which came to Bethlehem.

O Lord our Lord, how excellent
In all the earth is Jesus' name!
May we, as stars, be likewise sent
To tell the glory they proclaim!

Youtube exposition: http://youtu.be/yBzuc2Lt8Lc

Preparing and Purging

"The preparations in the heart of man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.... By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.... Understanding is a wellspring of life.... The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth" (Proverbs 16:1,6,22,23).

The preparations in the heart
To give eternal answers right
Is from the Lord, who will impart
An understanding in His light.

On matters of eternity
We should not ever speak amiss!
Through Christ alone we are made free:
The Lord has clearly taught us this.

By truth and mercy we are purged
From all iniquity within,
And by the fear of God we're urged
To flee from wrath and from our sin.

These principles are surely plain,
Yet many still don't understand.
The search for truth is all in vain
Unless we seek it from God's hand.

Yet God will give the preparation
To every heart that is sincere
And calls on Him for His salvation,
Instructed by a Godly fear.

O Lord, we thank You that You teach
The hearts that You prepare with grace.
Prepare us, therefore, now to reach
The souls You prompt to seek Your face.

Priority and Privilege of Prayer

"The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer" (Psalm 6:9). "The prayer of the upright is His delight.... He heareth the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:8,29). "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.... For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.... I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Timothy 2:1-8).

There is a great priority
That God has placed on prayer
For matters of eternity
As well as daily care.

The Lord has called for supplication
That souls may not be lost,
But rather learn of His salvation
And of their ransom's cost.

There's many things to pray about,
But surely none is greater
Than precious souls, without a doubt,
Who need a Mediator.

For this is why our Savior came
And paid so great a price:
To bear away our sin and shame
Through His great sacrifice.

Indeed, there is no other one
Who can extend God's grace
But Christ the Man, yet God the Son,
Who took the sinner's place.

O Lord, we stand by grace alone,
Permitted now to pray,
As we are called now to Your throne
While it is called today.

O may this privilege You afford
For us to intercede
Be exercised each day, O Lord,
To pray for souls in need!

Proving the Prudent

"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou peceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way.... There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:7-12). "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying.... from which some having swerved have turned aside to vain jangling.... This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:4-7).

Now go from the presence of those who reveal
Their foolishness by what they say,
For words have the power to kill and to steal,
Destroying those thus led astray.

We prove what is prudent and weigh what we've heard
Against what we know to be right,
For this is the standard we have in God's Word,
Exposing all things to its light.

We know there's a way which can seem right to man,
Yet death, after all, is its end,
For Christ came to save us; there's no other plan
That heaven will ever extend.

O Lord, we give thanks for the way of salvation
That's proven, since Christ Jesus came
To save helpless sinners approaching damnation
Who find refuge now in His name!

Terminated Tower

"God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply.... bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.... And the whole earth was one speech.... And they said, Go to, let us build a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.... And the LORD said.... Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language.... So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth" (Genesis 9:1,7, 11:1-8).

God gave a very plain command
To Noah's children giving birth.
It wasn't hard to understand:
"Be fruitful," filling all the earth.

But his descendants thought instead
That they would rather build a tower,
Thus contradicting what God said,
Unmindful of His sovereign power.

Their purpose set aside God's grace,
As they united then to build
A tower and a dwelling place
In conflict with what God had willed.

God brought their plans to a conclusion,
And they were scattered all abroad.
Through languages He brought confusion
To those who tried to withstand God.

O Lord, how gently then You brought
That tower to its termination,
That rebel sinners might be taught
To turn and find in You salvation!

So teach us, Lord, to know Your will
And do (the first time) what You say,
That we may joyfully fulfill
Your plan for us as we obey.

Deceiver's Delusion

"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" (Psalm 3:2,3). "The thoughts of the righteous are right.... the way of a fool is right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 12:5,15). "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: the they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

How many there are who will foolishly say:
There's no help from God for the soul.
Yes, that is the thinking around us today,
Enforced by Satanic control.

Praise God who has shined in the darkness His light
To show us His truth and His love,
That we might perceive what is holy and right
And set our affections above!

The way of a fool may seem right in his eyes,
Though still he is lost in confusion,
For though he professes himself to be wise,
He chooses to trust a delusion.

O Lord, we give thanks that You caused us to see
The blessings in You that we find
And in You the refuge where sinners might flee
Where You will give sight to the blind.

Lord, grant us the privilege to show others too
The wonderful treasure received
Of righteousness freely imparted by You
To all who in Christ have believed.

Settled on the Son

"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. He that sitteth in the heavens shall... have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath... Yet have I set My King on My holy hill of Zion.... Be wise now therefore.... Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish in the way when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him" (Psalm 2:2-12).

There's only one important vote
When all is said and done.
The Lord has spoken, and we note:
He's settled on the Son.

The kings of earth make their decision
Against the Father's voice.
The Lord shall have them in derision;
They shall lament their choice.

The kings of earth may cast away
The Gospel and its cords.
How foolishly they go astray
From grace that God affords!

Be wise, therefore, the Spirit warns,
While yet there is a path
To turn from foolishness that scorns
God's coming day of wrath!

Though many choose to still despise
The warning of God's Spirit,
The Gospel yet will make them wise,
If they will humbly hear it.

We kiss the Son once sacrificed,
And preach Him unashamed!
We lift Your name, Lord Jesus Christ,
Above all others named!

Difference of the Dove

"Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: and he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him... but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark" (Genesis 8:6-9). "For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish" (Psalm 1:6). "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death" (Proverbs 10:2).

From Noah's ark was sent a raven,
Which went forth as a scavenger.
The dove was sent, but found no haven:
Those waters held no rest for her.

The dove, by nature, turned again
To find her rest inside the ark.
We clearly see the contrast then
Of natures in those birds was stark.

The raven in that scene of wrath
With death was then content to roam.
The dove, by nature, chose the path
Where life was at to make her home.

The portrait seen within the dove
Reflects the nature of the saved,
Who long to be with Christ above
In Whom they find the rest they craved.

But in the raven, so inclined,
The nature of the lost we see,
Depicting thus a state of mind
Indifferent to eternity.

O Lord, we thank You for salvation
That changed our destiny and ways,
That rescued us from condemnation,
And gave to us a heart of praise!

Allegory of the Ark

"In the selfsame day entered Noah... and they that went in... as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.... and the waters increased, and bare up this ark, and it was lift up above the earth" (Genesis 7:13-17). "Wisdom hath builded her house.... She crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither.... Forsake the foolish, and live" (Proverbs 9:1-6). "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven... 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 arranges history
In patterns that unfold
His allegories that we see
Of future things foretold.

We see that this surely plain
In Noah's ark that rose
Above the earth by flood and rain
Escaping judgment's woes.

There is a day not far ahead
When Christ will come again
With those he raises from the dead,
And we shall be changed then.

And in the twinkling of an eye
We'll meet them in the air,
As once the ark was lifted high
With all His chosen there.

O Lord, by faith we see that day
Is surely drawing near
When You shall catch Your own away
And lift us far from here.

Until that day of expectation
With judgment clouds so dark,
We would extend Your invitation
In Christ, as in the ark!

Nearness of Noah

"Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.... and Noah walked with God.... Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he" (Genesis 6:8,9,22). "Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep My ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.... For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death" (Proverbs 8:32-36).

The nearness of Noah, the Scriptures record,
Protected his children and moved him with fear.
For Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,
Obeying instruction as judgment drew near.

The nearness of Noah was seen as he walked,
Who found his contentment in doing God's pleasure.
The Word of the Lord could be heard as he talked,
In preaching the Gospel and showing its treasure.

The nearness of Noah amid all the strife
Provided a refuge for him and his seven:
His three sons, their wives, and also his wife
Were blest in the favor extended from heaven.

O Lord, we give thanks for Your gracious instruction
Preserved in the record of Noah we trace!
We live in a world that faces destruction:
Yet by his example we also find grace!

Lamech's Lament

"And Lamech... begat a son: and he called his name Noah (lit. Rest).... And Lamech lived AFTER HE BEGAT NOAH five hundred ninety and five years, and BEGAT SONS AND DAUGHTERS... and he died" (Genesis 5:28-31). "Both young men and maidens, old men and children: let them praise the name of the LORD" (Psalm 148:12,13). "We exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:11,12).

We read of Lamech's firstborn boy:
His name was Noah, meaning "Rest",
And in that son was cause for joy:
He walked with God, and so was blest.

But Lamech lived for many years,
And sons and daughters yet were born.
The life they chose would cause him tears,
Unless they turned away from scorn.

For Noah's sisters and his brothers
All had their opportunity,
But Noah's seven (and no others)
Were in the ark, where they could flee.

O fathers, teach your children well:
Exhort them daily while you may
To find their Hiding Place from hell
In Christ who bids them come today!

We ponder, Lord, the lamentation
And cause for fear that Lamech knew
For children turned from Your salvation
And from the truth that's found in You.

Lord, thank You for Your faithful love
That longs to spare us from lament,
That brought our Savior from above,
And bids each sinner to repent.

So teach us, Lord, to speak the truth
With love to all who yet will hear
In later years or tender youth,
That we may make Your Gospel clear.

Place of His Pleasure

"Adam knew his wife again, and she bare a son, and called his name Seth (lit. Appointed), for God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos (lit. Mortal Frailty): then began men to call upon the name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:25,26). The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy" (Psalm 147:11). "We give thanks... remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:2,3).

The many advances ascribed to Cain's line
In Genesis Four are conveyed
In cattle, in music, and metal design,
With all of man's genius displayed.

Yet all these devices that man would applaud,
Increasing their worldly treasure,
Were not then commended in Scripture by God
As those in which He would take pleasure.

The eyes of the Lord still behold from above
The place of His pleasure and favor:
The work of our faith with our labor of love
And patience of hope in our Savior.

O Lord, we have heard where Your pleasure is found!
The words of Your Gospel proclaim:
Where sin once abounded, more grace will abound
In all who will call on Your name!

Savior vs. Serpent

"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?.... And the LORD God said unto the serpent.... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:1-15). "Happy is he... whose hope is in the LORD his God... which keepeth truth forever" (Psalm 146:5,6).

The subtle serpent in the garden
Had done his very worst
By prompting hearts to doubt, then harden,
And then at last be cursed.

And "hath God said?" we hear him say;
His wiles are the same
As in the past, and so today
Deception is his aim.

But God has claimed the victory!
We rest in what God said:
He promised to send enmity
To bruise the serpent's head!

Rejoice! Our Lord has come to earth
Through Christ, the woman's Seed!
Our Savior came by virgin birth
And did as God decreed!

And has God said? Indeed He did!
He keeps His truth forever!
In Christ our Savior we are hid,
And none from Him can sever!

We thank You, Lord, for what You've done
To fight for us and win
By bruising Satan through Your Son,
Who rescued us from sin.

We thank You, Lord, as we recall
That Christ was bruised as well,
To thereby lift us from our fall
And ransom us from hell.

Musing on Man

"LORD, what is man, that Thou takest knowledge of him? Or the son of man that Thou makest account of him? Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away" (Psalm 144:3,4). "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.... And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 1:26, 2:7). "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

"What is man?" the psalmist asked.
By what means can we find this out?
Many surveys may be tasked,
Yet these will lead to greater doubt!

"Man is like to vanity,"
From the vantage point of time,
Yet when viewed eternally,
God esteems his worth sublime.

Man became a living soul,
When God imparted His own breath,
Made like Him, and capable
Of choosing between life and death.

Man was worth the mortal strife
That brought the Savior to this earth,
In order that we might choose life,
Escaping death by second birth!

By musing then on what God did
In laying down His life for us,
We find our worth, and we are hid
In Christ in whom we place our trust.

We thank You, Lord, for answering
That wondrous question "What is man?"
When You became our Offering
Accomplishing redemption's plan!

Finding His Fullness

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.... The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens" (Proverbs 3:13-19). "[In] Christ... are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.... In Him dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:2-9).

How happy, when wisdom and knowledge are found,
Are those who discover their worth!
The Lord, in whom wisdom and knowledge abound,
By these made the heaven and earth!

How happy are they, and how great are their pleasures,
Who find in Christ Jesus our Lord
The fullness of God and the infinite treasures
His wisdom and knowledge afford!

How happy are we, precious Lord, by Your favor,
Since You have extended to us
The fullness of God in Christ Jesus our Savior,
In whom we're delighted to trust!

Elevated beyond Expectation

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path.... I looked on my right hand, and beheld, 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 and my portion in the land of the living" (Psalm 142:3-5). "Giving thanks to the Father... who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Colossians 1:12,13).

Recalling my outlook so dim
When pondering God on my path,
I cried out for mercy from Him,
Just hoping to hide from His wrath.

I did not expect Him to hear,
For why should He care about me?
The sorrows of death drawing near
Were all I could fearfully see.

Imagine how great my surprise,
So far above all expectation!
The Lord God then opened my eyes
And rescued me by His salvation!

He lifted me up to His realm
To dwell in His kingdom above!
No longer by fear overwhelmed,
I'm now overcome by His love!

O Father, we give You our thanks
For grace You bestowed by Your Son!
We join with the heavenly ranks
To praise Him for what He has done!

Themes for our Thoughts

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name" (Malachi 3:16). "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely... of good report... virtue...praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

Think upon our Savior's name;
Ponder well His reputation.
Think of how and why He came
To accomplish our salvation.

How this purifies the mind,
As silver purified from dross
As our thoughts are so inclined
To dwell on Christ and on His cross!

Whatsoever things are true,
What things are honest, just, and pure,
Clearly have our Lord in view,
Whose love forever shall endure.

Thank You for this good report
Of virtue, Lord, and praise supreme,
Where our thoughts with joy resort
To Christ, our most delightful Theme!