Vigilantly Vow

Read:  Psalm 76 / Proverbs 31 / Ezra 10 / 1 John 2

 

Psalm 76:11 ~ Vow... unto the LORD... let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Proverbs 31:30 ~ Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Ezra 10:4 ~ Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

1 John 2:28 ~ Now, little children, abide in him; that... we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

 

Let us determine now to do

The will of God that He makes clear.

This is the vow we should renew 

With earnest love and holy fear.

 

We ought to vigilantly vow

To Christ who died in our defense. 

The time to love the Lord is now,

That we may live with confidence.  

 

Life Span of our Little Space

Read:  Psalm 75 / Proverbs 30 / Ezra 9 / 1 John 1

 

Psalm 75:3,7 ~ The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.... But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Proverbs 30:4,5 ~ Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth?... he is a shield unto them that...trust in him.

Ezra 9:8 Now for a LITTLE SPACE grace hath been showed from the LORD our God... to give us a nail in his holy place...  lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

The earth shall know that Jesus lives

And that He is the Judge therein. 

Yet, even so, our Lord forgives

The sinners who confess their sin.

 

How little is our span of space

To seek and serve our risen Lord!

Let us approach Him by His grace

For cleansing and to be restored.   

 

Scoffers Schooled

Read:  Psalm 74 / Proverbs 29 / Ezra 8 / 2 Peter 3

 

Psalm 74:22 ~ Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

Proverbs 29:26 ~ Many seek the ruler's favor; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. 

Ezra 8:31 ~ The hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy... of such as lay in wait. 

2 Peter 3:3-6 ~ There shall come in the last days scoffers... For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.

 

Arise, O God, and plead Your cause,

That men may seek Your saving favor

That satisfies Your holy laws,

Providing refuge in the Savior. 

 

Let scoffers be arrested now

And schooled by truth they have ignored,

Assured that every knee shall bow 

To Christ our everlasting Lord.  

 

Faithful vs. False

Read:  Psalm 73 / Proverbs 28 / Ezra 7 / 2 Peter 2

 

Psalm 73:28 ~ It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Proverbs 28:5 ~ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

Ezra 7:10 ~ Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD... to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

2 Peter 2:1 ~ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you.

 

Let faithful teachers testify

Who will declare the works of Christ, 

For false and foolish teachers lie

To those who blindly are enticed. 

 

As Ezra’s heart was well prepared

To seek the Lord, to do His will,

And teach His Word that he declared,

Let faithful teachers do so still.  

 

Due Diligence

Read:  Psalm 72 / Proverbs 27 / Ezra 6 / 2 Peter 1

 

Psalm 72:18-20 ~ Blessed be the LORD God... who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Proverbs 27:1,11,23 ~ Boast not thyself of tomorrow… My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me... Be thou diligent.

Ezra 6:22 ~ The LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

2 Peter 1:10,19 ~ Brethren, give diligence... We have also a more sure word of prophecy...  ye do well that ye take heed.

 

The time to give due diligence

To glorify our Lord and Savior

Is now and every moment hence 

To gladden Him by our behavior. 

 

The Lord gives joy and strengthens hands

As He beholds us taking heed

To do the work that He commands

With grace supplying every need.  

 

Melody in my Mouth

Read:  Psalm 71 / Proverbs 26 / Ezra 5 / 1 Peter 5

 

Psalm 71:8 ~ Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day.

Proverbs 26:2 ~ As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

Ezra 5:11 ~ We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago.

1 Peter 5:4 ~ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

My mouth shall sing the melody

That God has placed within my heart. 

If Jesus had not died for me,

The curse of sin would not depart.  

 

The Church that Jesus said He’d build 

Continues in these latter days

Till He appears and earth is filled

With melodies of grateful praise.  

 

Troubling Times

Read:  Psalm 70 / Proverbs 25 / Ezra 4 / 1 Peter 4

 

Psalm 70:3,4 ~ Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha... Let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

Proverbs 25:28 ~ He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Ezra 4:4 ~ Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.

1 Peter 4:4,7,12 ~ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer... They think it strange that ye run not with them... Beloved, think it not strange.

 

Though troubling times are rising now

And prophecies may be ignored,

Still every knee to Christ shall bow

And every tongue shall call Him Lord. 

 

The prophecy to build the wall

Would be fulfilled in troubling days, 

And likewise, Christ, as Lord of all,

Shall reign at last with endless praise.  

 

 

Fit Foundation

Read:  Psalm 69 / Proverbs 24 / Ezra 3 / 1 Peter 3

 

Psalm 69:6 ~ Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

Proverbs 24:27 ~ Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Ezra 3:11 ~ And all the people shouted... they praised the LORD... the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

1 Peter 3:15 ~ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

 

The ground must have a preparation

Before the building can be framed. 

My heart must have a fit foundation

To preach the Gospel unashamed. 

 

So, let my Lord be sanctified

Within my heart in every season

As I declare why Jesus died

To answer those who ask a reason. 

 

 

An End And Expectation

Read:  Psalm 68 / Proverbs 23 / Ezra 2 / 1 Peter 2

 

Psalm 68:11-19 ~ The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it... Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive... God of our salvation. 

Proverbs 23:18 ~ Surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

Ezra 2:1 ~ Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity... and came again unto Jerusalem. 

1 Peter 2:9 ~ But ye are... a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

 

The Lord has given us His Word

To show the truth of His salvation.

What God had promised has occurred;

There is an end and expectation. 

 

The Lord has liberated us

From darkness and captivity

To shine His light so marvelous

And show His truth that makes us free.  

 

Prophetic Pen

Read:  Psalm 67 / Proverbs 22 / Ezra 1 / 1 Peter 1 

 

Psalm 67:1,2 ~ God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Proverbs 22:20,21 ~ Have not I written to thee excellent things…  that thou mightest answer the words of truth?

Ezra 1:1 ~ That the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia… and put it also in writing. 

1 Peter 1:10,11 ~ The prophets... prophesied of… the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

 

How merciful the Lord has been

As He declared to every nation

By His prophetic voice and pen

The promise of His great salvation. 

 

The Word of God has been fulfilled

Which had foretold redemption's story,

For Christ, the Lamb of God, was killed  

And afterwards was raised in glory. 

 

Proclaim His Praise and Proof

Read:  Psalm 66 / Proverbs 21 / 2 Chronicles 36 / James 5 

 

Psalm 66:8,9 ~ O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

Proverbs 21:30 ~ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

2 Chronicles 36:21-23 ~ To fulfill the word of the LORD... saith Cyrus king of Persia... Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

James 5:20 ~ Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

We bless our God for what He did

To rescue us with His salvation.  

His Word fulfilled should not be hid;

Proclaim His praise with jubilation!

 

Display prophetic evidence,

For this is where His proof begins.

When we convert one who repents,

God hides a multitude of sins.  

 

Christ Can Cleanse

Read:  Psalm 65 / Proverbs 20 / 2 Chronicles 35 / James 4

 

Psalm 65:2,3 ~ O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

Proverbs 20:9 ~ Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

2 Chronicles 35:1 ~ Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover. 

James 4:6-8 ~ God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble... Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 

The Lord who hears our humble cry

Can surely cleanse us from our sin.

It was for this He came to die,

And for this cause, He enters in. 

 

The Lamb of God was sacrificed

To cleanse those who are so inclined

To trust our Savior Jesus Christ

With all their heart, their soul, and mind.  

 

Teach us Tenderness

Read:  Psalm 64 / Proverbs 19 / 2 Chronicles 34 / James 3

 

Psalm 64:10 ~ The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

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

2 Chronicles 34:27 ~ Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God... I have even heard thee also.

James 3:17 ~ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 

The Lord shall teach us tenderness

As He instructs our inward part,

That we might learn to worry less

By trusting God to rule our heart.  

 

The Lord was searching from above

And found Josiah’s heart was tender. 

The Lord makes known His wondrous love

To humble hearts that will surrender. 

 

Faithful Friend

Read:  Psalm 63 / Proverbs 18 / 2 Chronicles 33 / James 2 

 

Psalm 63:8 ~My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Proverbs 18:10,24 ~ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe... and there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

2 Chronicles 33:23 ~ [Amon] humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself.

James 2:23 ~ And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.

 

My faithful Friend is Jesus Christ

Who holds me closer than a brother. 

To save me, He was sacrificed

With love unmatched by any other!

 

It was for me my Lord was humbled

To save me from my dreadful end

Wherein at last I would have stumbled,

If not for Christ, my faithful Friend.  

 

Trust when Tried

Read:  Psalm 62 / Proverbs 17 / 2 Chronicles 32 / James 1

 

Psalm 62:8 ~ Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Proverbs 17:3 ~ The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

2 Chronicles 32:31 ~ In the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon... God left him [Hezekiah], to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

James 1:12 ~ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 

We need to trust when we are tried

And pour our hearts out to the Lord.

The Lord is searching us inside;

Endurance has a sweet reward. 

 

When Hezekiah had temptation,

The Lord exposed his pride within. 

We need the Lord's examination

That He may cleanse us from our sin.  

 

Hezekiah's Heart

Read:  Psalm 61 / Proverbs 16 / 2 Chronicles 31 / Hebrews 13 

 

Psalm 61:5,7,8 ~ Thou, O God, hast heard my vows... O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.  So will I sing praise unto thy name... that I may daily perform my vows.

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

2 Chronicles 31:20,21 ~ Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began... to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Hebrews 13:20,21 ~ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep... make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight.

 

The Lord has heard my vows to live

According to His truth and grace

Which He abundantly shall give 

In every circumstance I face.

 

The service Hezekiah rendered

With all his heart, his soul, and might,

Inspires me to be surrendered

And pleasing in my Savior’s sight.  

 

Race to Run

Read:  Psalm 60 / Proverbs 15 / 2 Chronicles 30 / Hebrews 12

 

Psalm 60:4 ~ Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

Proverbs 15:28 ~ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

2 Chronicles 30:10,11 ~ So the posts passed from city to city...  but they laughed them to scorn and mocked... Nevertheless diverse... humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

Hebrews 12:1,2 ~ Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.

 

There is a banner we uphold

Because the truth is clearly shown

In prophecies that were foretold

And were fulfilled, which we make known.

 

There is a race we're called to run;

There is a goal that we pursue:

We tell the lost what Christ has done

And show them that His Word is true. 

 

Not Now Negligent

Read:  Psalm 59 / Proverbs 14 / 2 Chronicles 29 / Hebrews 11

 

Psalm 59:9 ~ Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.

Proverbs 14:27 ~ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

2 Chronicles 29:11 ~ My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him.

Hebrews 11:6 ~ He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

Because the enemy is strong,

I'm trusting in my Lord’s defense. 

My time on earth shall not be long;

There is no time for negligence!  

 

Since I am called to serve the Lord,

I will not now be negligent.

Since Christ Himself is my Reward,

I will, by grace, be diligent. 

 

Deafened in Distress

Read:  Psalm 58 / Proverbs 13 / 2 Chronicles 28 / Hebrews 10 

 

Psalm 58:3-5 ~ The wicked... are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

Proverbs 13:8 ~ The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

2 Chronicles 28:22 ~ And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.

Hebrews 10:39 ~ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

The wicked stop their deafened ear,

Dismissing the rebuke of God,

Since they would so much rather hear

The praise of those who will applaud.

 

What shall they do in their distress

Who have no heart for true contrition?

They perish in unrighteousness

Who draw back to their own perdition!  

 

Prepared to Praise

Read:  Psalm 57 / Proverbs 12 / 2 Chronicles 27 / Hebrews 9

 

Psalm 57:7 ~ My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Proverbs 12:5,26 ~ The thoughts of the righteous are right: but... the way of the wicked seduceth them.

2 Chronicles 27:6 ~ So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.

Hebrews 9:28 ~ So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 

My heart is now prepared to praise

And worship Jesus Christ my Savior

Who counsels me in all my ways

And satisfies me with His favor. 

 

It is appointed once to die,

But after this I shall prevail,

For I will dwell with Christ on high;

I know His promise shall not fail.