Publish His Perfection

"I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  He is the Rock; His work is perfect" (Deuteronomy 32:3,4).  "Open thy mouth for… the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction" (Proverbs 31:8).  "Jesus… saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.  And he departed, and began to publish… how great things Jesus had done for him" (Mark 5:19). 

Come, let us publish Jesus' fame:   

His life, His death, His resurrection! 

Ascribe the greatness of His name

And manifest our Lord's perfection. 

We publish that He is our Rock

To all those looking for salvation. 

He's standing at each door to knock

Extending now His invitation.

We speak to kindred and to friends;

We speak to strangers now as well

To show the Savior who extends

Redemption saving us from hell. 

We publish, Lord, with grateful praise,

Such great perfections found in You!    

How marvelous are all Your ways

In Your compassion that we view! 

Never Fails Nor Forsakes

"The LORD thy God… will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Deuteronomy 31:6).  "Who hath gathered the wind in His fists?  Who hath bound the waters in a garment?... He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:4,5).  "Master, carest Thou not that we perish?  And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?  How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:38-40). 

God never fails nor forsakes

The souls that He forever saves. 

At His command the storm awakes,

And by His word He stills the waves. 

When trials come into our life

With dangers on the battlefield,  

He is our Refuge in the strife;  

He is our Fortress and our Shield.

If not for Christ, we would have perished,

And every cause for hope would cease. 

Because we are so greatly cherished,

He is our Confidence and Peace. 

O Lord, if doubts in us prevail

When we are foolishly mistaken,

Remind us that You never fail,

Nor shall we ever be forsaken.  

 

Horrible Hardness

"If thine heart turn away… ye shall surely perish… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:17-19).  "Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law" (Psalm 119:53).  "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).  "[Jesus] looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts" (Mark 3:5).   

How horrible the hardness is

Of those who turn their heart from God,

Refusing blessings that are His,

Exchanged for judgment from His rod. 

But hardened hearts shall stand in awe

And horror, without remedy,

Recalling that they spurned God's law

Which offered life eternally. 

The law which prophesied of Christ

Portrayed the remedy God gave. 

The Lamb of God was sacrificed

For sinners whom He died to save. 

O Lord, such hardness in the heart

Which turns from You is horrible!   

We pray for grace that You impart

To draw the humble, trembling soul.    

Now Assured and Not Ashamed

"Those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever" (Deuteronomy 29:29).  "I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed" (Psalm 119:46).  "Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things" (Proverbs 28:5).  "[Jesus] said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?... The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins… I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). 

The truth concerning our salvation

Belongs to us who trust God's Word. 

As stewards of His revelation,

We're not ashamed and now assured.

The lost who will not seek our Savior

Won't understand eternal things

Regarding wrath and saving favor,

But we declare them before kings. 

The Lord completes what He begins,

And to this end we now are sent

To show that He forgives the sins

Of all who truly will repent. 

Your Gospel, Lord, we have proclaimed

With confidence that it is true! 

We're now assured and not ashamed

As we are leading souls to You.  

Day for Diligence

"Hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day" (Deuteronomy 28:1).  "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth… My son, be wise, and make My heart glad… Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks" (Proverbs 27:1,11,23).  "Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.  And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him" (Mark 1:17,18). 

The time to diligently heed 

The voice of God is called "Today."

Tomorrow is not guaranteed;

"This day" God calls us to obey. 

Be diligent to know the state

Of flocks that God puts in your care.

Be wise, and do not hesitate  

To serve the Lord with fervent prayer. 

The day for diligence is here

Since we have heard our Lord's report.

Our Lord's return is drawing near;

Our time on earth is very short. 

O Lord, the day for diligence

For such a time as this is now. 

We'll follow You with confidence

With grace You promise to endow.