Growing Greater

“My heart standeth in awe of Thy word.  I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil… Great peace have they which love Thy law” (Psalm 119:161-165).  “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18,19).  “Thy name is as ointment poured forth… Draw me, we will run after Thee… we will be glad and rejoice in Thee, we will remember Thy love” (Song of Solomon 1:3,4).  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

I’m standing more and more in awe

At such great riches in God’s Word!

Great peace have they who love His Law,

As they explore what they have heard.

We’re walking on the upward path

That shines from heaven more and more

As sinners yet draw near to wrath,

The lake of fire yet in store.

The longing of our God’s great love

Was manifested on the cross: 

He left His majesty above

To ransom souls from endless loss!

So by His love He draws our hearts

To run to Him for our salvation,

And that is when our worship starts

That grows with greater adoration.

We think upon our Savior’s name,

Which is as fragrant ointment poured.

Our love cannot remain the same,

As we are worshipping our Lord.

The things of earth become so dim

As we consider Jesus Christ.

For no one else compares to Him

Who for our souls was sacrificed!

So let us each be therefore found

Still steadfast and unmovable

Until we hear the trumpet sound  

That calls up every ransomed soul!

Until that day a short time later

When we are caught up then with You,

O Lord, we would be growing greater

In faithfulness in all we do.

That day, in just a little while,

Is fast approaching, Lord, we know.

We look for Your approving smile

As in Your grace and truth we grow. 

Concerning the Conclusion

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Psalm 119:160).  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding… The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools” (Proverbs 3:5,35).  “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it… Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments… for God shall bring every work into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 12:7-13).  “For God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). 

Though men excuse themselves for sinning

And think their rationale is clever,

God’s Word is true from the beginning,

And all His judgments last forever.

The wise man trusts in God alone,

And not his own heart’s understanding.

He holds to what the Lord has shown,

And to the Word He is commanding.

We see the end without confusion: 

We shall, as dust, return to earth,  

But that is NOT the whole conclusion

For those who have a second birth! 

The body shall return to dust, 

But spirits, which our Maker gave

Return to God in whom we trust:

The happy lot of those He’ll save! 

Yet sadly this does not conclude

The end of ALL humanity,

For those rejecting Christ exclude

Themselves by their insanity!

The souls rejecting Christ shall stand

Without the Lord as their Defense.

They’ll fall into God’s judgment hand;

O what a fearful consequence! 

God’s Spirit calls them now to cease

From choosing such a fearful end,

By trusting Christ, who is our Peace,

The sinner’s sacrificial Friend!

We see the Gospel’s proclamation

That settles all eternal matters:

In Christ we’re gathered in salvation,

But every soul against Him scatters.

We thank You, Lord, for what You’ve said

Concerning everything to come. 

By all means use us now to spread

Your Gospel that will yet save some.

Wealth in the Watches

“I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD… I cried unto Thee; save me… I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in Thy word.  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy word” (Psalm 119:145-148).  “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge.. and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:3-5).  “Truly the light is sweet” (Ecclesiastes 11:7).  “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

I do recall the mid-watch prayer

When I had cried out in the night:

I did not know if God was there,

For He was hidden from my sight.

But I this I knew:  I soon would die. 

For life, indeed, is very brief.

I dared to plead with God and cry

For honest reasons for belief.

His voice then was not audible,

But He was speaking, just the same.

I sensed a calming of my soul,

As reasons, as requested, came.

The Lord had drawn me with desire

To know the truth I could not see. 

He stooped to pull me from the mire

Of ignorance and apathy.

How great then was His hidden wealth

In midnight watches that I stood! 

The Lord was there with saving health

And with the proof that He was good.

The proof of which I now am speaking

Became more clear when I was led

To search His Word with others seeking

To know those things the prophets said. 

How truly then the light was sweet

That dawned upon my opened eyes!

The wealth of Scripture was replete

With truth that made the seeker wise!

How great was my anticipation,

Before each midnight watch would start,

Of quiet times of meditation

Upon God’s Word that thrilled my heart!

O Lord, I thank You for the treasures

I’ve barely started to explore

Exceeding all this world’s pleasures,

Yet in Your presence, how much more!

We see now through a darkened glass,

Yet we shall see You face to face!

Until that day has come to pass,

Lord, make us messengers of grace.

Righteous Reality

“Righteous art Thou, O LORD… Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful… Thy word is very pure… I am small and despised: yet do not I forget Thy precepts” (Psalm 119:137-141).  “Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23).  “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7). 

I may be small and be despised;

There may be little I can do,

But let this world be advised:

The Word of God is no less true.

God’s Word is pure reality;

His righteousness is on display.

His truth endures eternally,

Though earth and heaven pass away.  

The foes of God may stand aloof

And stubbornly resist His Spirit,

Ignoring God’s prophetic proof,

Refusing honestly to hear it.

The Spirit of the Lord will strive,

And thereby some He thus will save.

We must respond when we’re alive!

There is no Gospel in the grave.

God manifests His Spirit thus

To bring His righteousness to light,

To show His grace and truth to us,

And save us from our sinful plight!

O Lord, we stand amazed at grace

That satisfies Your righteousness!

Now help us reach this human race

With Gospel truth by which You bless.