Vistas in the Vigil

“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD” (Psalm 134:1,2).  “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:  and the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues… And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power” (Revelation 15:5-8). 

The servants who would stand by night

Within the sanctuary

Could meditate upon the sight

That temple vistas carry.

Behold there, servants of the Lord,

The glory seen therein:

Your temple vigils have explored

Our remedy for sin!

The animals once sacrificed

Could not for sin atone;

These vistas rather point to Christ,

Now seated on His throne!

And so our vigil looks above,

And thus we lift our hands

To thank our Savior for His love

As our heart understands.

We see the tabernacle vision

Beheld in Revelation,

As angels carry out their mission

Within the Tribulation.

For judgment yet shall have its hour

When God’s wrath is expressed

Against those who oppose the power

Of Christ whom they detest. 

O Lord, we thank You that You came

To spare us from such loss!

We see the vistas of our shame

Upon Your awful cross!

We praise You, Lord, as You unveil

In temple vistas holy

Your love for us that did not fail

To justify us fully!

Preeminent Priest

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments… for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalm 133:1-3).  “Worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). 

Our unity is found in Christ,

Our great High Priest, our God and Savior,

Who for our souls was sacrificed

That we by grace might have His favor.

The ointment poured on Aaron’s head

Identified a temporal priest.

But Jesus Christ has come instead,

Replacing sacrifice and feast.

He is the Lord of all creation,

And yet He set aside His crown,

To be the Priest of our salvation:

To save our life, He laid His down.

Preeminent Priest, now far above

Those types and patterns long ago,

We thank You, Lord, with grateful love

For countless blessings You bestow.

O Lord, we find our unity,

Not only in a common theme,

But by new birth, we’re family

With every soul that You redeem!

We worship You, O Lord, and find

Delight in Your preeminence:

As our High Priest, supremely kind,

You gave Yourself in our defense!

Sweetly Sworn

“ LORD, remember David… The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it… This is My rest forever:  here will I dwell; for I have desired it… I will abundantly bless… I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed” (Psalm 132:1,11-17).  “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee… Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:5,8).

King David’s confidence is mine,

For God has surely heard my prayer

And given me His oath divine,

And I have sweetly rested there.

The Lord has sworn; He will not turn

From doing all He said He’ll do.

How joyfully I now discern

His oath to me is surely true!

The Lord has sworn, there’s no mistake

(He does not change, He is the same):

He’ll never leave me nor forsake

The souls that call upon His name.

He said, “This is My rest forever,”

As in my heart He chose to dwell.

There is no power that can sever

The Lord from those He saves from hell.

Ah, this forever is my rest,

That God has found His rest in me!

I hear His oath to me attest

That He will bless abundantly!

O Lord my Savior, King of kings,

There no sweeter resting place

Than in the shadow of Your wings

And in the promise of Your grace.

Acquainted with the Accuser

“My son, be wise, and make My heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth Me” (Proverbs 27:11).  “The accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night… Woe to the inhabiters of the earth… for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:10,12). 

The voice that night and day accused

Our souls deserving condemnation

Is now confronted and refused

By Christ the Captain of salvation!

The devil wanted heaven’s crown

With demons who would take his side.

But he has surely been cast down,

Humiliated by his pride.

And yet his voice has not been stilled,

Though he from heaven has been banned,

His mouth with blasphemy is filled,

And his reproach pollutes our land.

He knows his time on earth is short,

And that there’s little time to act.

So even now he will resort

To shaming those he has attacked.

We surely ought to be acquainted

With this satanic strategy:

When testimonies have been tainted

He points to our hypocrisy.

And thus he still reproaches God

When we by sin have been enticed,

Accusing us to show how flawed

The people are who trust in Christ.

Enough!  Enough!  Now hear the voice

Of God who calls us to be wise!

Let His own heart in us rejoice

To answer thus the devil’s lies!

O Lord, our days on earth are few;

So short by Your eternal measure!

May we redeem the time for You

With this one rule:  to give You pleasure!

Marks of Mercy

“If Thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?  But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared…  for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption” (Psalm 130:3-7).

Does God mark iniquities?  Surely He does!

He cannot unjustly create an exemption.

The Lord God is holy, as always He was,

Yet we have forgiveness through His full redemption!

The mark of iniquities is not ignored

By God who is holy and perfectly just,

Yet all our sins have been laid by the Lord

On Jesus our Savior in whom we may trust. 

The mark of iniquities calling for wrath

Is not overlooked, and it won’t be denied.

But God has provided the sinner a path

To flee for protection in Christ crucified!

O Lord, You’ve extended redemption complete,

And we are reminded by tokens of love

Yet found in Your side, in Your hands, and Your feet,

Displaying the marks of Your mercy above!