Do-Nothing Deities

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished... and the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:1,7).  "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?... He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands" (Psalm 115:2-4).  "Who hath established all the ends of the earth?" (Proverbs 30:4).  "They be no gods, which are made with hands" (Acts 19:26). 

When earth and heaven were displayed,

God's finished work was wonderful

Wherein humanity was made

When man became a living soul. 

So why, then, should the nations say

That God is nowhere to be found? 

His attributes no less today

In all creation still abound!

Our law-like universe demands

The great First Cause of its formation,

And neither idols made hands

Nor randomness explain creation! 

O Lord, You're doing what You please,

As You have always done before.

Unlike do-nothing deities,

You live and reign forevermore!  

Delightful Dominion

"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over... all the earth" (Genesis 1:26).  "When Israel went out of Egypt... Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion" (Psalm 114:1,2).  "Many seek the ruler's favor; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD" (Proverbs 29:26).  "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:  for I am with thee" (Acts 18:9,10). 

Behold the might of God's command

In all the things that He has made.

To starry heavens, sea, and land

He spoke, and all of them obeyed. 

The crown of all creation stood

In the dominion He bestowed

On man, because the Lord is good,

From whom our blessings all have flowed.

How gracious was our Lord's dominion

As He went out with Israel,

When Egypt changed their wrong opinion

About our God, Immanuel! 

Lord, how delightful is Your favor

And Your dominion over all!

As when You guided Paul's behavior,

So teach us to fulfill our call.  

Realize the Reach

"Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill" (Psalm 113:5-7).  "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool" (Proverbs 28:26).  "But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2).  "All nations... should seek the Lord" (Acts 17:26,27). 

How scarcely have we realized

The distance that our Savior spanned

To carry out what He devised

In our salvation that He planned! 

How worthy is our Lord of trust

And worthy also to be praised!

He lifts the poor out of the dust,

And from the dunghill we are raised!  

How foolish is the sinner's heart

That places trust in lesser things, 

For Christ is risen to impart

The healing found beneath His wings. 

Lord, help us realize the reach

That You extended in salvation,

So we may with Your passion preach

The Gospel sent to every nation.  

Discretion in the Darkness

"Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness... he will guide his affairs with discretion" (Psalm 112:4,5).  "My son, be wise, and make My heart glad" (Proverbs 27:11).  "I am the LORD, I change not... Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and... thought upon His name" (Malachi 3:6,16).  "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them" (Acts 16:25). 

In darkness there arises light

Where God enlightens searching eyes,

That we may guide our souls aright

As His discretion makes us wise. 

Discretion does not come by pride,

But rather by a heart that's humble,

Content when God is satisfied,

For by this rule we shall not stumble. 

As we are thinking on the name

Of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

We are assured He is the same;

He changes not, nor does His favor. 

Discretion in the darkness, Lord,

Like that which Paul and Silas had,

Is simply seeking the reward

Of doing that which makes You glad. 

Consider the Curse (and give thanks!)

"The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein... He sent redemption unto His people" (Psalm 111:2,9).  "The curse causeless shall not come" (Proverbs 26:2).  "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you" (Malachi 2:2).  "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved" (Acts 15:11). 

How great are the works of the Lord,

And great is our pleasure therein,

But surely the greatest explored

Is found in redemption from sin!

As we have considered the curse

That comes as our sin's consequence,

Above every work, we rehearse

The blessing of God's great defense. 

In view of the curse's exemption,

The Lord calls the lost to repent,

Receiving His wondrous redemption

In Christ, who from heaven was sent. 

O Lord, we consider Your grace

The work above all we've esteemed,

Because it removes every trace

Of judgment from those You've redeemed!