Victorious vs. Vain

“Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1).  “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us” (Daniel 3:17).  “They found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments, and… said unto them, Why seek ye the Living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you… And they remembered His words” (Luke 24:2-8). 

Those watchmen in vain had expected

To find Christ in three days entombed.
His promise to rise was perfected,
No matter what fools had assumed.  

Our God whom we serve is now able

To keep every promise He made. 
How vainly men trust in a fable
Instead of the truth God displayed!  

The principle surely is plain: 

Our God will perform what He said.
All other assumptions are vain,
Relying on falsehood instead. 

Remember the words Christ has spoken,

And study what prophets proclaimed.
Not one word has ever be broken;
Be ready, and be not ashamed!

The choices could not be more clear! 

Come, visit the tomb once again,
As angels say “He is not here,”
Despite the vain efforts of men!

The options come down to just two: 

Believe our victorious Lord,
Or vainly trust what is untrue
As God’s evidence ignored.

O Lord, we give thanks for the stone

That You rolled away from the door,
By which You so clearly made known
That You were not there anymore! 

We thank You, victorious Savior,

For triumphant truth that You give,
Replacing vain falsehood with favor,
Triumphantly proving You live! 

O Lord, send us forth with Your love

By which You so deeply were moved
To show why You came from above,
Displaying Your prophecies proved.

Victorious Savior, today

We go forth to show Your compassion,
That sinners persuaded may pray,
Escaping this world’s vain fashion.