Goads of God

"O LORD my Rock; be not silent to me" (Psalm 28:1).  "Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?" (Proverbs 17:16).  "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.  The words of the wise are as goads... given from one Shepherd" (Ecclesiastes 12:10,11).  "I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me... it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do" (Acts 22:10).

The Lord has heard the earnest prayer

Of all who long to hear His voice,

Yet those who simply do not care

Shall have His silence by their choice.

The preacher searches for a word

To comfort those with heavy loads

And challenge those who should be stirred

With words from God which are as goads. 

Our Shepherd will supply instruction

That we may thereby train our youth

To guard themselves from vain seduction

By trusting in His words of truth. 

The goads of God will stir the hearts

Of those who know their lost condition.

His Gospel graciously imparts

The truth that saves them from perdition.

The Lord is waiting now to hear

The cry, "O Lord, what shall I do?"

From hearts that come to Him with fear

And find His promises are true! 

O Lord our God, receive our thanks

For sharpened goads that You have sent

To all who gladly join the ranks

Of those You save when they repent.