Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Calamity of Convenience


“In those days… every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do” (Psalm 111:10).  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction… The prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Proverbs 1:7,32).  “Felix… sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a CONVENIENT season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:24,25). 

The truth that many will despise
Reproves our sin and warns of wrath.
Men do what’s right in their own eyes,
But God has shown another path. 

Convenience brings calamity
Whenever there’s no fear of God,
As fools in their prosperity
Prefer to hear their friends applaud. 

The fear of God is the beginning
Of wisdom that delivers us
From judgment’s penalty for sinning,
Extending grace so marvelous! 

When one puts off until tomorrow
The call of God he hears today,
He surely sows the seeds of sorrow
As he is hardened in his way. 

As Felix listened well to Paul
And trembled at the things he heard,
He cast aside the Savior’s call,
And thereby he despised God’s Word.

We see “convenience” at its worst
And its calamitous effect
When sinners tremble who are cursed,
Then turn away in their neglect. 

O Lord, we thank for the fear
That prompted us to seek Your face,
When our calamity was near,  
To find our refuge in Your grace!   

Lord, helps us, by Your Spirit, reason
With those who yet are in grave danger,
Lest in an inconvenient season,
They stand before You as a stranger.  


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