Trusting True Treasure

"Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?... Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.... I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever" (Psalm 52:1-8).  "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death" (Proverbs 10:2).  "At that day shall a man look to his Maker" (Isaiah 17:7).  "Now we have received, not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (1 Corinthians 2:12). 

Now why does the mighty man boast? 

In what is his confident pleasure? 

The strength of a well-armored host?  

The fleeting abundance of treasure? 

Beware of this imprudent trust,

Though many consider it clever! 

Now turn from relying on dust

And trust in the Savior forever! 

The treasures of wickedness fly

Like riches that make themselves wings,  

For shortly the wicked shall die,

And who then shall gather his things? 

When man meets his Maker that day,

Will God be his Judge or his Savior? 

When treasures have all flown away,

God's people shall rest in His favor! 

Now all who receive Jesus Christ

Are temples of His Holy Spirit. 

The call of His grace has sufficed

To save every soul that will hear it. 

Lord, thank You for treasures above,

Unlike fleeting treasures on earth,

Extended with infinite love

With Your saving grace by new birth.  

Wisdom that Washes

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51:7).  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding... If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it" (Proverbs 9:10,12).  "Christ Jesus... is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). 

As hyssop had once applied blood

Which came from the Passover Lamb

When judgment came in like a flood,

So likewise protected I am. 

As lepers who were declared clean

With hyssop and blood from a bird,  

The shadows of Christ have been seen

With cleansing portrayed in His Word. 

How wondrously now I may know

That I have been cleansed by my Lord

Much whiter than pure driven snow,

Forgiven by God, and restored. 

This washing applies to the wise

Who tremble with God's holy fear. 

The Lord hears the humble who cries,

And cleanses the one who draws near. 

But those who will scorn shall lament

That they had refused cleansing grace

Unless they are moved to repent

And earnestly seek the Lord's face. 

Lord, You are my Wisdom indeed

Who washed away all of my sin. 

How fully You met every need

The moment that You entered in! 

Lord, thank You for so great salvation

Through wisdom that washes my soul,

With righteousness, sanctification,

And by Your redemption so full!  

Manifested Mystery

"To him that ordereth his conversation [i.e., his way] aright will I shew the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23).  "For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.  But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul" (Proverbs 8:35,36).  "According to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ... the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began... now is made manifest... by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God" (Romans 16:25,26). 

To him who will order his way

By seeking God's manifestation,

We hear God now graciously say

He'll show to that one His salvation. 

The one who finds Christ shall find life,

Obtaining His favor so full,

But those who resist Him with strife

Are wronging thereby their own soul.

This mystery today manifested

Is found in the Gospel we see

To which all the prophets attested

According to God's great decree. 

How wonderful, Lord, is this treasure

Displayed in the Gospel of Christ,

Declaring that it was Your pleasure

That He was for us sacrificed! 

Lord Jesus, our God and our Savior,

We thank You for all that You did

That we might partake of Your favor,

And under Your wings may be hid! 

Lord, help us to manifest grace,

Unfolding this mystery of love,

So others may thus seek Your face

And thereby be born from above.  

Fearless in the Future

"Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?  They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:  for the redemption of their soul is precious... But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me" (Psalm 49:5-15).  "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope... in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ" (Romans 15:4,29).

It may seem overconfident

To see no cause for future fear

When all my days on earth are spent  

And judgment day is drawing near. 

My confidence is not in wealth,

For riches cannot save the soul. 

I trust my Savior's saving health

And His redemption paid in full! 

My days upon this earth are few,

But my Redeemer lives to save. 

I am convinced His Word is true:

He shall receive me from the grave. 

Yes, this is where my hope now is,

And this is truth that makes me free,

For Christ is mine, and I am His

For time and all eternity!

 

Lord, thank You for the Scriptures written

For comfort in these things assured

Because for sinners You were smitten

Upon the cross which You endured!

O Lord, You haven't kept me guessing

About the future things ahead! 

I know the fullness of Your blessing

Shall find me fearless, as You said.  

Guided by God

"For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:14).  "My son, keep thy Father's commandment... When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee" (Proverbs 6:20-22).  "I have commanded My sanctified ones... even them that rejoice in My highness" (Isaiah 13:3).  "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8). 

As long as the Lord is our God

(And that is forever and ever),

His guidance shall never be flawed

Or lacking for any endeavor.

This God is our God and our Guide

As long as we have any breath,

And also with us He'll abide

Eternally after our death. 

He guides by His loving command

His children each step of the way.

He never lets go of our hand;

He speaks to our hearts every day. 

He sanctifies those for His glory

Who daily rejoice in His highness,

Declaring our Savior's love story,

A river of joy amid dryness. 

Now whether we live or we die,

We walk in the love of our Lord,  

For though the Lord God is so high,

His blessings upon us are poured. 

O Lord, it's so good to be guided

By Your perfect wisdom and love

And rest in what You have decided

Is best from Your viewpoint above. 

O God, we belong now to You,

And You have become our heart's treasure,  

So guide us each day to pursue

The blessing of seeking Your pleasure.