Redemption's Riddle

“Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels [fig. steps עָקֵב `aqeb] shall compass me about?  They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him… But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me” (Psalm 49:5-15).  “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:5).  “Who is this that forgiveth sins?” (Luke 7:49).

The Word of God today reveals

That judgment days are yet ahead

When every footstep of my heels

Is known, but wherefore should I dread?

There is a deadly confidence

As many boast in fleeting wealth,

Unmindful of the great expense

Christ paid for our eternal health. 

They think the riches they disperse,

Which many of their friends applaud,

Exempts them from the dreadful curse

Recorded in the Law of God. 

How great thus is their poverty,

For there is only ONE exemption

That cleanses all iniquity: 

In Christ ALONE is there redemption!  

I do not need to fear the grave

Since I have been redeemed by Christ,

And all who trust in Him He’ll save;  

To this end He was sacrificed! 

Now who is this who thus forgives

And has redeemed me from my sin?

Behold, my Savior ever lives

Who saved me when He entered in!

How great, Lord, was this price involved

By which I know I am redeemed! 

Redemption’s riddle has been solved

By love much greater than I dreamed! 

Vital Vision

“Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee forever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 12:28).  “This God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).  “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).  “Can the blind lead the blind?  Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (Luke 6:39). 

The Word of God is always right;

Obeying God is always wise.

The Lord will give His people sight

To do what’s pleasing in His eyes.  

Our children benefit therein

As we are teaching them to see

The way to turn away from sin,

And hold to truth that makes them free.

The Lord our God is God forever,

And He will be our Guide as well. 

He leads us forth, and He will never

Forsake the souls He saved from hell. 

There’s no one we would have instead

To guide us through this desert land!  

He sees the distant things ahead

And every danger now at hand. 

How vital is our Shepherd’s vision,

Who guides us with His staff and rod!

Though fools may mock with blind derision,  

Our guide is still the Word of God. 

We need the vision God will give;

Without it, many souls have perished!

The Lord commands us how to live,

And He reproves those He has cherished. 

The blind will gladly lead the blind,

Yet both of them shall surely fall

Into the ditch where they shall find

Their place with those who spurned God’s call.

O Lord, we thank You for salvation

With vital vision through Your grace!

We preach Your Gospel’s invitation

And pray for souls to seek Your face. 

Opposite Options

“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse” (Deuteronomy 11:26).  “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverb 28:13).  “Jesus… said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31,32). 

Behold the blessing and the curse! 

The choices couldn’t be more plain

Presenting options so diverse: 

Eternal bliss or endless pain.

How vain is all prosperity

Which does not give consideration

To one’s eternal destiny

And does not value God’s salvation.

Our Savior knew there was a price

To rescue sheep that went astray.    

He came to be our Sacrifice

And thereby take our sin away.

He calls on sinners to confess

And to forsake their life of sin. 

He clothes them in His righteousness

The moment He has entered in! 

Of course, this calls for a decision

Which every person now must make: 

To trust in Christ, our great Physician,

Or turn away, the great mistake!

O Lord, we see why You were sent: 

You paid salvation’s awful cost

To grant the option to repent

And thus be saved instead of lost! 

Stirred by Stillness

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). 

Be still, and know that Christ is God,

And let His healing thus begin. 

Be rid of thinking that is flawed

And let Him cleanse your heart from sin. 

Be still, and listen to Him speak,

For in our silence we will find

The understanding that we seek

Along with perfect peace of mind. 

Though Jesus Christ may be ignored,

The time is marching on unhalted

When those who yet despise the Lord

Shall tremble when He is exalted. 

The Lord was humbled in His birth,

And on the cross was so ill-treated,

Yet He shall reign throughout the earth,

And all His foes shall be defeated. 

So stirred by Christ in stillness here

In view of wondrous grace revealed,

His perfect love will cast out fear,

For by His stripes our souls are healed. 

Lord, may we thus be Spirit-filled

As in Your presence we are stirred

To worship You as we are stilled

And then to boldly preach Your Word.  

Warned of Wrath

“Grace is poured into Thy lips… Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter” (Psalm 45:2,6).  “All flesh shall see the salvation of God...Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:6,7).

The reason God has warned of wrath

Is so that we might seek salvation. 

There’s only one redeeming path

That saves a soul from condemnation. 

The words of Christ are filled with grace,

Yet grace comes as a remedy,

For if there is no Hiding Place,

We’re lost for all eternity. 

God’s justice is not compromised;

He searches every heart within. 

The hypocrite is not disguised,

Nor can he hide from God his sin.

Christ rules forever on His throne;

Behold the scepter of His power! 

His righteous wrath shall yet be shown,

Yet grace is offered in this hour. 

The Lord is right in all His ways;

His judgment must be satisfied.

Yet in salvation He displays

A Place where we may safely hide.

Behold the spotless Lamb of God:  

He is the Refuge where we run!

For us He bore God’s judgment rod;

The work that saves from wrath is done! 

O Lord, how many yet have scorned

Your great salvation in our day!

We pray that more may yet be warned

And flee from wrath as yet they may!