Written Word

"Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5).  "But He [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God... that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying... Beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up" (Matthew 4:4-16). 

We hear in every word of God

His voice yet speaking to us still,

To guide us with His staff and rod

And teach us how to do His will.  

The Word of God is very pure,

Equipping us with heaven's shield.

His written Word we know is sure;

It is the Spirit's sword we wield.    

We hear the words our Savior used  

Affirming man needs more than bread,

For when God's counsel is refused

The soul will feed on lies instead. 

The words our Savior thrice repeated,

That "it is written" teaches us

His Word shall never be defeated;

This certainty is marvelous!

Isaiah's prophecy was right

Regarding Christ in Galilee,  

For souls in darkness saw His light,

And by His truth, He set them free. 

O Lord, Isaiah said of You,

That for our sakes, You would be smitten. 

We know that prophecy is true,

For You fulfilled that which was written.

How precious is Your Gospel, Lord,

How wondrous is salvation's grace! 

How great is indeed is Your Reward

To all who humbly seek Your face!

Lord, thank You for Your written Word

Whereby we listen to Your voice. 

Your Gospel message we have heard

Has thrilled our hearts, and we rejoice!  

Shadow of Safety

"Behold, God Himself is with us" (2 Chronicles 13:12 ).  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty... under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield" (Psalm 91:1,4).  "Whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).  "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew 3:7). 

Our God Himself is now with us,

Removing every cause for fear.

His promises are marvelous,

Assuring us that He is near. 

We're dwelling in the secret place

Where God has called us each aside

As we sincerely seek His face

And in His shadow we abide.   

There is no safer place we find

As we approach the King of kings. 

His presence gives us peace mind

Beneath the shadow of His wings.

His truth forever is our shield;

He is attentive to our prayer

As to our Lord we gladly yield

And as we cast on Him our care.

We walk in safety on His path

With all who have been born again.

He died to save our souls from wrath

And sheltered us as does a hen. 

We've found our safety here at last

Beneath the wings of Jesus Christ,

Who over us His shadow cast

When He for us was sacrificed. 

O Lord, our sacrificial Savior,

We thank You for Your great compassion

Which moved You to impart Your favor

Beneath Your shadow in this fashion! 

You saved us from eternal loss!  

Lord, send us forth to others too

To show the shadow of Your cross

Where there is safety found in You. 

Prioritizing Preparing

"And he [Rehoboam] did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12:14).  "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).  "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination" (Proverbs 28:9).  "Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  For we have... come to worship Him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Matthew 2:1-3). 

We see the high priority

Of preparation in the heart

To seek our Savior earnestly

For wisdom that He will impart. 

We read of kings who sought the Lord,

And thus they prospered by His grace.  

Yet some did not, and evil soared

Until they turned to seek His face. 

How sadly time is thereby wasted

As wisdom thus is set aside! 

How bitter are the sorrows tasted

In hearts by their destructive pride!

We surely need the Word of God

With counsel for our preparation. 

Without His counsel, thoughts are flawed,

And prayer is an abomination. 

When Christ was born in Bethlehem,

The hearts of men were on display

As seen in old Jerusalem

When wise men came from far away. 

The wise men would adore the King,

But Herod sought to have Him slain. 

Should not Jerusalem then sing? 

Had all the people gone insane? 

Today we see it is the same

As hearts respond to Christ our Lord:

They either trust in Jesus' name,

Or He is willfully ignored. 

Lord, thank You for prophetic Law

And for the prompting of Your Spirit,

Preparing hearts that You will draw

To trust Your Gospel as they hear it. 

O Lord, we praise You for Your love

Preparing us to worship You,

Prioritizing things above,

And proving that Your Word is true.  

Joyful Sound: Jesus Saves

"Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face.  Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound... In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted" (Psalm 89:14-16).  "Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins... and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:21-23).  "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). 

The justice of God's holy throne

Required judgment to be done.   

The Law of God had made this known,

And charged us guilty, every one. 

The Law declared that we were cursed,

Yet God provided an exemption,   

For grace and truth can save the worst

Through Christ who died for our redemption. 

Draw near to hear the joyful sound

Of sinners rescued by the Savior! 

The righteousness that they have found

In Christ extends His saving favor! 

Thank God that Christ our Savior came

To save us from eternal hell! 

Come, magnify our Savior's name:   

Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel! 

The joyful sound that we have heard

That rises up in heaven's ranks,

We join as we declare God's Word

And give to Christ our heartfelt thanks. 

O Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ,

We thank you for the price you paid

When for us You were sacrificed

And grace and truth were thus displayed! 

We thank You, Lord, and we rejoice

As we proclaim Your great salvation!

With joyful sound we lift our voice

To sing Your Gospel's proclamation.