Thursday, December 06, 2012

Reasoning for a Remedy

“They mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:16).  “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).  “Frowardness (i.e., rebellion) is in his heart… Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy” (Proverbs 6:14,15).   “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31).

There is a single remedy,
As all the prophets have revealed,
To purge us from iniquity
That we may thus by grace be healed.

There was time when God had sent
His prophets with authority
To call the people to repent
So God could wash them thoroughly.

They mocked the messengers of God,
And thus His prophets were misused,
Until they came beneath the rod
Of wrath, since mercy was refused.

Rebellion in their heart existed;
God’s reasoning was greatly scorned. 
His remedy was thus resisted
As were His prophets then who warned.

The day of their calamity
Then came, though it was unexpected.
Their judgment entered suddenly;
Their remedy had been rejected.

Our Savior spoke of such a man
Who brushed aside what prophets said.
He cared not for God’s saving plan,
But trusted in himself instead.

This man had prospered for a season,
But rich, like poor men, die as well,
And since he spurned prophetic reason,
He died and found himself in hell.

He reasoned then if one would rise
Who once was dead to speak to others,
They would repent with opened eyes,  
And thus he pleaded for his brothers.

His reasoning did not make sense;
The prophets showed how God would save.
There was no greater evidence,
Though one would rise up from the grave.

O Lord, we thank You for Your Word
Wherein Your remedy is found.
Though many scorn what they have heard,
Your reasoning is surely sound.

Lord, help us show why it is right
To trust what prophets have foretold,
So we may thereby shine Your light
And with Your Gospel be more bold.

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