Wiser Workmanship

Read:  Psalm 14 / Proverbs 30 / 1 Chronicles 13 / Ephesians 2 

 

Psalm 14:2,3 ~ The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Proverbs 30:4,5 ~ Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?... who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name... if thou canst tell? Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

1 Chronicles 13:3,4,10 ~ Let us bring again the ark of our God to us... they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people... And the anger of the LORD was kindled. 

Ephesians 2:10 ~ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

The wiser workmanship of God 

In every case should be preferred.

Care not if men do not applaud,

But seek the wisdom of God’s Word. 

 

We are the work of God’s own hand,

His blood-bought prize, His costly treasure.

The workmanship that He has planned

Displays in us His grace and pleasure.  

 

Proclaim His Praise

Read:  Psalm 13 / Proverbs 29 / 1 Chronicles 12 / Ephesians 1

 

Psalm 13:5,6 ~ But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Proverbs 29:25 ~ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

1 Chronicles 12:32 ~ The children of Issachar... were men that had understanding of the times, to know what... to do.

Ephesians 1:12,18 ~ We should be to the praise of his glory... the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the... glory of his inheritance in the saints.

 

We trust the mercy of our Savior

And search the truth that He displays

As we explore His saving favor

And joyfully proclaim His praise! 

 

The Lord will give us understanding

To know the things we ought to do,

For we have heard His voice commanding

To preach His Word and prove it true. 

 

Savior in every Season

Read:  Psalm 12 / Proverbs 28 / 1 Chronicles 11 / Galatians 6

 

Psalm 12:5 ~ For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Proverbs 28:13 ~ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

1 Chronicles 11:9 ~ So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.

Galatians 6:9 ~ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

Our Savior hears the needy sighing

And lifts them out of their despair,

In every season testifying

That we may cast on Him our care! 

 

We trust the Lord, for none is greater;

His watchful eye shall never sleep.

We gladly serve Him, knowing later

That in due season, we shall reap.  

 

Fixed Foundation

Read:  Psalm 11 / Proverbs 27 / 1 Chronicles 10 / Galatians 5

 

Psalm 11:3 ~ If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Proverbs 27:11 ~ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 ~ So Saul died for his transgression...  The LORD... therefore... turned the kingdom unto David.

Galatians 5:1 ~ Stand fast... in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free... not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 

I'm trusting in the fixed foundation

Which is as certain as God’s throne. 

Christ is the Author of salvation;

He is the Shepherd of His own. 

 

Herein I find simplicity

By living daily for His pleasure.

His changeless truth has made me free

And blessed me with salvation’s treasure.  

 

Presently Proud

Read:  Psalm 10 / Proverbs 26 / 1 Chronicles 9 / Galatians 4

 

Psalm 10:4,6 ~ The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God... He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

Proverbs 26:5 ~ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

1 Chronicles 9:1 ~ So all Israel were... carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

Galatians 4:16 ~ Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

 

The proud in the end are reproved

Who mock till the day of their death,

Who say "I shall never be moved",

Yet borrow from God their next breath. 

 

Let those who are presently proud

Abandon their foolish conceit,

Since so little time is allowed

Before they shall bow at His feet.  

 

Reputation Reviewed

Read:  Psalm 9 / Proverbs 25 / 1 Chronicles 8 / Galatians 3

 

Psalm 9:10 ~ They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Proverbs 25:25 ~ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

1 Chronicles 8:34 ~ And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah [Heb. Who is like JAH?].

Galatians 3:16 ~ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, which is Christ.

 

Behold our Savior’s reputation

Reviewed in all His names explored. 

He is our Captain of salvation,

The Lamb of God, our mighty Lord. 

 

He is the Seed of Abraham,

Who for our sake was sacrificed. 

Behold our God, the great I AM,

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! 

 

His Glory is my Highest Goal

Read:  Psalm 8 / Proverbs 24 / 1 Chronicles 7 / Galatians 2

 

Psalm 8:3,4 ~ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars... What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 

Proverbs 24:12 ~ He that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it?

1 Chronicles 7:22 ~ Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.

Galatians 2:20 ~ The life which I now live... I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

I know God set His love on me,

But I can’t help to wonder why.

Behold so great a mystery:

For me my Savior came to die! 

 

The Lord who gave Himself in love

To ransom and to keep my soul

Has set my heart on things above:

His glory is my highest goal. 

 

True when Tried

Read:  Psalm 7 / Proverbs 23 / 1 Chronicles 6 / Galatians 1

 

Psalm 7:9,10 ~ The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 

Proverbs 23:26 ~ My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

1 Chronicles 6:3 ~ And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Galatians 1:23-24 ~ They had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.

 

The Lord who tries our inward part

Is our Redeemer and Defender

Who calls us now to give our heart

To Him in confident surrender.

 

As Eleazar (Help of God)

And Paul were both found true when tried,

The Lord refines those who are flawed,

And in them He is glorified.  

 

Triune Triumph

Read:  Psalm 6 / Proverbs 22 / 1 Chron. 5 / 2 Corinthians 13

 

Psalm 6:9,10 ~ The LORD hath heard my supplication... Let all mine enemies... return and be ashamed suddenly.

Proverbs 22:4 ~ By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.

1 Chronicles 5:20 ~ They cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

2 Corinthians 13:14 ~ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

 

The Lord has heard my supplication

In fear and in humility.

He gave the riches of salvation

With everlasting life to me. 

 

The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Have triumphed in their triune goal

To save me to the uttermost

Through Christ the Savior of my soul!  

 

Granting us Grace

Read:  Psalm 5 / Proverbs 21 / 1 Chron. 4 / 2 Corinthians 12

 

Psalm 5:3 ~ My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer... and will look up.

Proverbs 21:29 ~ A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

1 Chronicles 4:10 ~ Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ~ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

We gratefully lift up our prayer

To God who is reigning above

With all who are casting their care

On Jesus who listens with love.

 

Like Jabez who brought his request,

Like Paul who was seeking God's face,

We find that God's answer is best,

Sufficiently granting us grace.  

 

Lift up the Light

Read:  Psalm 4 / Proverbs 20 / 1 Chron. 3 / 2 Corinthians 11

 

Psalm 4:6 ~ Many… say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 

Proverbs 20:9,24 ~ Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?... Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

1 Chronicles 3:9-14 ~ The sons of David... Solomon's son was Rehoboam... Hezekiah... Manasseh...  Josiah his son.

2 Corinthians 11:3,4 ~ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus... another spirit… or another gospel… ye might well bear with him.

 

Amid the sayings of the lost

Are those which say it can’t be shown

When lines of good or bad are crossed,

Since absolutes cannot be known. 

 

The Lord will still lift up the light

To shine, as in Josiah’s day,

That we may show the wrong and right,

Confirmed by what the Scriptures say. 

 

Weapons of our Warfare

Read:  Psalm 3 / Proverbs 19 / 1 Chron. 2 / 2 Corinthians 10

 

Psalm 3:3 ~ But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Proverbs 19:23 ~ The fear of the LORD tendeth to life... he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

1 Chronicles 2:7 ~ Achar [Achan was] the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.

2 Corinthians 10:4,5 ~ The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

 

The weapons of warfare we wield

Are given to us by our Lord,

Who gives us Himself as our Shield

And His Word of truth as our sword. 

 

The troubler of Israel was cursed

When Achan’s dark secret was found.

Let Christ and His kingdom be first

And strongholds of Satan cast down. 

 

Salvation through the Son

Read:  Psalm 2 / Proverbs 18 / 1 Chron. 1 / 2 Corinthians 9

 

Psalm 2:12 ~ Kiss the Son, lest... ye perish from the way... Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Proverbs 18:10 ~ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

1 Chronicles 1:34,35,54 ~ Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel. The sons Esau... the dukes of Edom.

2 Corinthians 9:8,15 ~ God is able to make all grace abound toward you... Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

 

There is but one alternative

To perishing at last in wrath: 

We’re called to kiss the Son and live! 

Salvation has no other path.

 

In Esau versus Israel,

We see opposing choices made.

Thank God who saves our souls from hell

Through Christ by whom our debt is paid!  

 

Contemplation of the Cost

Read:  Psalm 1 / Proverbs 17 / 2 Kings 25 / 2 Corinthians 8

 

Psalm 1:1,2 ~ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly... But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Proverbs 17:17 ~ A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

2 Kings 25:28,29 ~ He spake kindly to him... and changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ~ For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

How sweet the meditation is

That contemplates our gracious Savior. 

There is no greater love than His;

How costly was His saving favor! 

 

There is no sweeter contemplation

That occupies our mind than Christ,

Who weighed the cost of our salvation

And for our sake was sacrificed!  

 

Receiving and Redeeming

Read:  Psalm 150 / Proverbs 16 / 2 Kings 24 / 2 Corinthians 7

 

Psalm 150:6 ~ Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Proverbs 16:6 ~ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

2 Kings 24:18-19 ~ Zedekiah... did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ~ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

Receiving each breath from God's hands,

Redeeming each moment we live,

We wisely obey His commands,

Upheld by the grace He will give. 

 

The Lord will reprove us in love,

Perfecting our hearts by His fear. 

We’re looking to Jesus above,

Assured that His coming draws near.  

 

Our Song and Our Sword

Read:  Psalm 149 / Proverbs 15 / 2 Kings 23 / 2 Corinthians 6 

 

Psalm 149:5,6 ~ Let the saints... sing aloud... the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.

Proverbs 15:23 ~ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

2 Kings 23:25 ~ Like unto him [Josiah]was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart... his soul, and with all his might... neither after him arose there any like him.

2 Corinthians 6:7 ~ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and... the left.

 

The truth of our song and our sword

Brings tidings that God has revealed

To those who will turn to the Lord,

Who is our Defender and Shield. 

 

We sing of the mercy He gives

With truth that we gladly proclaim

To show that our Savior now lives

To save those who call on His name. 

 

Royal Reconciliation

Read:  Psalm 148 / Proverbs 14 / 2 Kings 22 / 2 Corinthians 5

 

Psalm 148:11-13 ~ Kings of the earth, and all people... let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Proverbs 14:25 ~ A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

2 Kings 22:1,19 ~ Josiah... Because thine heart was tender... I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ~ We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us... be ye reconciled to God.

 

A royal reconciliation

With God is offered in our day

As we proclaim the Lord's salvation

To those who seek Him while they may. 

 

As king Josiah's heart was tender,

His humble prayer to God was heard. 

God seeks for those who will surrender;

We preach His reconciling Word. 

 

Light for the Lost

Read:  Psalm 147 / Proverbs 13 / 2 Kings 21 / 2 Corinthians 4

 

Psalm 147:3,5 ~ He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 

Proverbs 13:7,8 ~ There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man's life are his riches. 

2 Kings 21:3 ~ [Manasseh] worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

2 Corinthians 4:3,4 ~ If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

The Lord who put the stars in space

And gave to each of them a name

Has shined with heaven's truth and grace

Which, through the Gospel, we proclaim. 

 

How strangely are the lost inclined

To turn from light that shines from Christ!

By choice they have been rendered blind

Through lies whereby they are enticed.  

 

Promises Proved

Read:  Psalm 146 / Proverbs 12 / 2 Kings 20 / 2 Corinthians 3

 

Psalm 146:5,6 ~ Happy is he... whose hope is in the LORD his God: which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever.

Proverbs 12:5,15,20 ~ The thoughts of the righteous are right...  the counsels of the wicked are deceit... Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil.. to the counselors of peace is joy.

2 Kings 20:16,19 ~ Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD... Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken.

2 Corinthians 3:12 ~ Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech.

 

How happy is the one who knows

The mighty God of all creation,

Who died and, on the third day, rose

To keep His promise of salvation. 

 

His truth shall never be removed

Which God has spoken and we teach.

Because His promises are proved, 

We use great plainness in our speech.  

 

Declaring His Defense

Read:  Psalm 145 / Proverbs 11 / 2 Kings 19 / 2 Corinthians 2

 

Psalm 145:4 ~ One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

Proverbs 11:3,9 ~ The integrity of the upright shall guide them... through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

2 Kings 19:19 ~ Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

2 Corinthians 2:14 ~ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.

 

Declare it to our generation: 

Our God is mighty in His acts! 

Explore the truth of His salvation,

Examining the proven facts! 

 

Let’s clearly make the Gospel known,

With Hezekiah’s confidence,

Declaring that our Lord alone

Has rescued us by His defense. 

 

Happy in the Harvest

Read:  Psalm 144 / Proverbs 10 / 2 Kings 18 / 2 Corinthians 1

 

Psalm 144:12,15 ~ That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones... Happy is that people... whose God is the LORD.

Proverbs 10:5 ~ He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

2 Kings 18:30 ~ Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us.

2 Corinthians 1:9,10 ~ We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God... Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.

 

How happy are the sons and daughters

Who glorify our Lord and Savior 

By leading souls to living waters

That God extends with saving favor. 

 

How happy in the harvest field

Are those who make the Gospel known

To show the lost they may be healed 

By trusting in the Lord alone.