Desire vs. Defiance

“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:2,3).   “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?  Who hath gathered the wind in His fists?... He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:4,5).  “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 Lord looked down from heaven’s throne

To seek for those who were undone.

Yet no one sought Him on their own,

And none were righteous, no not one.

But still His love was undiminished,

His heart burned brightly with desire.

He knew the work that must be finished,

Defiance could not quench that fire.

He gathers wind within His fists:

He is the Lord of all creation!

What kind of foolishness resists

This hand extending His salvation?

Jerusalem, Jerusalem: 

Your visitation has been missed!

Your Christ was born in Bethlehem:

You killed the One you should have kissed!

As chickens gathered by the hen

Are sheltered by her wings above,

The Lord would die for sinful men,

Though many would reject His love.

O Lord, that portrait has not changed:

We see their same defiant thought!

How many from You are estranged

Whom you would save, but they would not!

Yet still the harvest fields are white,

And Your great love, Lord, is the same.

With Your desire thus in sight,

We preach the Gospel in Your name.