Examine the Exchange

“They changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.  They forgat God their Savior” (Psalm 106:20,21).  “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:19,20). 

Have we examined the exchange

That we are making every day?

Should not we count it very strange

If treasures thus are cast away? 

If we forget our God our Savior

And set His glory thus aside,

We have exchanged His loving favor

For things that feed our foolish pride. 

We see these episodes rehearsed

When Israel forgot their God:

Forsaking blessings, they were cursed

And felt the judgment of His rod. 

Yet we discover there was grace

When people truly would repent

And diligently would seek His face,

So healing mercies could be sent. 

We see this in the days of Paul,

When by His preaching many turned.

They answered thus the Savior’s call

And Satan’s books were promptly burned. 

They counted then the market price

For books that they consumed with fire,

Yet they esteemed the sacrifice

Of Jesus Christ to be far higher!

And thus the Word of God prevailed

When lesser things had been forsaken.  

How greatly had their value paled

In light of  truth that is not shaken! 

O Lord, the lesson here is plain

As we examine what we’ve heard. 

As we let go of what is vain,

We thus exchange it for Your Word. 

We thank You for Your admonition

With Your exchange of grace, O Lord,

As You examine our condition

That we may daily be restored.