Victorious Vacancy

"Now upon the first day of the week.... they found the stone rolled away.... And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.... Two men stood by in shining garments.... they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words" (Luke 24:1-8).

Remember the words of our Savior back when
He promised His friends as well as His foes
That on the third day He would then rise again:
His body was gone, for our Savior arose!

The world pretends that it never took place,
Forgetting the words that our Lord clearly said.
But historical facts are hard to erase:
The tomb is still vacant! Our Lord is not dead!

Early that morning, with joy and with fear,
The women arrived and were faced a question:
Why do you seek for the Living Lord here?
The stone has been moved to display resurrection!

Lord, on that day when those women arrived,
Their joy was abundant as never before!
So may we likewise today be revived,
Recalling that You are alive evermore!

Interceding for the Ignorant

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

We hear the words of Jesus Christ
As heaven's Intercessor,
Who prayed when He was sacrificed
With love for the transgressor.

How different could those words have been
Against transgressors hurled
To seal the judgment of those men
With all this sinful world!

Isaiah saw His glory when
He clearly prophesied
That He'd make intercession then
For sinners when He died.

O Lord, we know that it was true:
Our ignorance was great!
Yet surely, Lord, You also knew
That blindness came by hate!

We ponder, Lord, Your words anew:
"Father, forgive them" and
"For they know not what they do."
Lord, make us understand!

How little we perceive of grace,
Though now we know in part!
Until we see You face to face,
Enlighten, Lord, our heart.

Where is the Well?

"O God... my soul thirsteth for Thee; my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is" (Psalm 63:1). "Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.... The wellspring of wisdom [is] as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:1-4). "If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:31).

I searched for water in this land,
But every well was dry.
No one sought to understand
What happens when we die.

I searched for answers to explain
The reason for our life.
My questions only brought disdain
And generated strife.

I only sought for honesty;
I found myself alone.
Was no one else athirst but me
For truth that might be known?

My thirst to everyone seemed odd,
And so in my despair,
I turned at last and cried to God,
To see if He was there.

The Lord knew all about my thirst;
He heard my lonely cry.
Indeed, He sought and found me first
To save and satisfy!

O Lord, in You we find the well
That satisfies our soul,
That saves us from eternal hell,
And makes us truly whole.

Lord's Look

"And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how He had said unto Him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:61,62).

Peter remembered the Word of the Lord,
And as he beheld the Lord's look,
Conviction then came like a two-edged sword,
Reproving the way that he took.

Shouldn't we also remember His Word
And ponder the look on His face?
Haven't we wandered from what we have heard
And felt Peter's bitter disgrace?

Now surely this portion of Scripture is written
To shine on the way that we are,
That likewise our hearts may be broken and smitten
When we too have followed afar.

Lord, we recall in the words of Your Book
Your glance then that broke Peter's heart.
Teach us to also consider Your look
And thereby from evil depart.

Hiking Higher

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.... Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name.... O prepare mercy and truth.... So will I sing praise unto Thy name forever, that I may daily perform my vows" (Psalm 61:2-8). "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:6).

Beyond the realm of time and space
And higher than the land and sea,
Lord, lead me by Your truth and grace
Before all time prepared for me.

Above the laws in which You lock
The earth and all the universe,
Lord, lead me to the higher Rock
That saves from sin and lifts its curse.

When circumstances overwhelm
And troubles disappoint my heart,
Lord, lead me to that higher realm
For peace this world cannot impart.

With boldness by Your invitation
To rise with prayer up to Your throne,
Lord, lead me to that elevation:
The Rock much higher than my own.

Basics of the Banner

"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth" (Psalm 60:4).

The banner every Christian waves
Should boldly be displayed
Announcing clearly, "Jesus saves,
Who all our ransom paid!"

It's not for our denomination
This banner is in view,
But for the Gospel of salvation
Because we know it's true!

Let this banner be unfurled,
And passed on to our youth!
Display its message to the world,
That they may know the truth!

The basics of the banner stand;
We need not be mistaken.
It rests upon our Lord's command,
And never shall be shaken.

Lord, we thank You for the banner
And truth that we proclaim.
Help us live in such a manner
That glorifies Your name.

Wordless Worship

"David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, LORD God, and what is mine house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?.... What can David speak more to Thee for the honor of Thy servant? For Thou knowest Thy servant" (1 Chronicles 17:16-18).

What can I say more to You,
O Lord, my God and Savior,
Since You have brought me hitherto,
And shown me all this favor?

Words must fail me to convey
The praise that You are due!
You paid the debt I could not pay,
And gave me life that's new.

Blessings I could never count
Or fully could explain
Rise like a majestic mount
And fall like heaven's rain.

Lord, You know Your servant well:
The wages I deserve
Are not in heaven, but in hell,
No matter how I serve.

Lord, You gave Your righteousness
And also bore my sin.
I'm overwhelmed by how You bless!
Lord, where shall I begin?

What can David now say more?
I'm lost in speechlessness.
In wordless worship I adore
For what words can't express.

Charming and Chastening

"The wicked.... are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely" (Psalm 58:3-5). "A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.... Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.... Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction.... He that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:1, 15,18,24).

How hopelessly hard is the transgressor's way,
Refusing God's crucial instruction.
The scorner won't hear what the Lord has to say
To turn him from his self-destruction.

How wise is the counsel received from above,
For good understanding gives favor.
Charmed by His Spirit and chastened with love,
A wise heart gives heed to the Savior.

Thank You, O Lord, for Your loving correction,
That charms and that chastens our soul.
We need Your reproof and Your constant direction,
Enlarging in us Your control.

Fixed Faith

"Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually" (1 Chronicles 16:11). "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise" (Psalm 57:7).

Seek the Lord with faith that's fixed;
Seek His face continually.
No more let your heart be mixed,
Unsettled by uncertainty.

Seek the Lord and His foundation
In this world of shifting sand.
Fix your faith on His salvation;
Seek His strength to make you stand.

My heart is fixed, O God, and stirred;
I cannot find another place
To guide my life except Your Word,
Or fix my heart, but on Your face.

Free from every vain distraction,
Fixed at last, O God, on You,
I have found my satisfaction
And my faith restored anew!

Trusting v. Trembling

"In God I have put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.... For Thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Psalm 56:11-13).

In God I have put all my trust,
Who delivered my soul from hell.
The glory of man is but dust,
From whom God delivers as well.

In God my redemption is paid;
His promised protection is true.
So why should I now be afraid
And tremble at what man can do?

In God is my life and my calling;
I press toward the mark of His will.
I know He will keep me from falling
And all of His Word will fulfill.

In God I am resting alone
And finding my purpose to live:
That His way on earth may be known
With His saving health He will give.

Watching His Weeping

"When He [Jesus] was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.... because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:41-44).

When Jesus Christ beheld the city,
Like lost and wandering sheep,
It moved His heart with touching pity,
And He began to weep.

Yes, this was old Jerusalem
That sought for the decease
Of God the Son, who wept for them,
And came to bring them peace!

We see how great the contrast is
Of Christ thus moved to cry
With hearts so cold, compared to His,
And eyes that are so dry.

Lord, we need the fruit of love
Your Spirit will provide,
With weeping that is like that of
Your pity when You died.

Teach us as we pray and preach
Wherever You will send,
To weep for souls that You would reach
With love that You extend.

Occupy or Oppose

"[Jesus] added and spake a parable.... A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated Him and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:11-14).

Our Savior spoke a parable
That we might thereby learn
That we shall give account in full
Upon our Lord's return.

To every servant of the Lord,
He says to occupy
Until He comes with His reward,
Approaching by and by.

But all who will not have Him reign
Will naturally oppose.
They send that message loud and plain:
They're siding with His foes.

O Lord, in just a little while,
We'll see You face to face.
We'd live for Your approving smile
Till then, Lord, by Your grace!

Seeker of the Sinner

"God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one" (Psalm 53:2,3). "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

We wouldn't even give a thought
To seek for God above
Unless the Lord Himself had sought
To save us by His love.

God looked down from heaven's throne
To see if even one
Would seek the Lord all on his own:
He found that there was none.

Why were we so deaf and blind
To never count the cost?
How good was God to seek and find,
And then to save the lost!

Thank You, Lord, that You would seek
To save us by Your grace.
When we were enemies, so weak,
You suffered in our place.

Lord, we worship You today,
Our risen Lord and Savior.
We who once were gone astray
Are saved now by Your favor!

Undertaking with Understanding

"And the children of Issachar... were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). "Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually" (Psalm 52:1).

We need to understand the times
To know the things we ought to do.
The mighty man may boast of crimes,
But God is always good and true.

Mischief triumphs every hour;
The devil boasts of evil deeds,
But God is still enthroned with power
With grace sufficient for our needs.

The battle is the Lord's today,
Though Satan says that we're defeated.
God will hear us when we pray
To give His strength when we're depleted.

We ought to, in these days we live,
Redeem the time by doing good.
The understanding God will give,
Will show us daily how we should.

Give us understanding, Lord,
That we may be Your salt and light,
And live each day for this reward:
To please You as we do what's right.

Norm of Noah

"And as it was in the day of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all" (Luke 17:26,27).

There was a norm in Noah's day
Before God's judgment came
That we can see now on display,
Disturbingly the same.

The normalcy of eating, drinking,
And marriage is not odd.
The problem is the way of thinking
That mocks the truth of God.

Beware, lest this world's normalcy
And vain imagination,
Distract you from eternity
And need of God's salvation!

O Lord, as Noah found Your grace
Before that fearful storm,
So may Your truth in us replace
In us this world's norm!

Lesson from a Leper

"Offer unto God thanksgiving... And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me" (Psalm 50:14,15). "Ten men that were lepers... lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves unto they priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God... giving Him thanks.... And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Luke 17:12-17).

We who have called upon God should give thanks
And praise Him for all of His answers to prayer!
Perhaps that will mean that we need to break ranks
With those who forget Him and don't seem to care.

Ten who were lepers were by our Lord healed;
The Gospel of Luke has provided their story.
Nine kept on walking when this was revealed,
But one left the others to give God the glory.

Where were the nine who were healed by God?
Why was there only one leper returned?
Alas! Such ingratitude isn't so odd!
Beware! There's a lesson for us to be learned!

How many times do we likewise forget
To glorify God with thanksgiving and praise
For all of the needs that our Lord surely met,
With goodness and mercy through all of our days?

Teach us, O Lord, as we ponder these ten,
To be like that leper who gratefully came.
Though ingratitude still is common to men,
Turn us again to give thanks to Your name.

Riches Reevaluated

"Hear this... rich and poor together.... 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 49:15). "And it came to pass, that the beggar died... the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments" (Luke 16:22,23).

The riches which cannot redeem
A soul from condemnation
Are surely not what they may seem
In this world's estimation.

In light of all eternity
We'll spend beyond the grave
The truest riches we can see
Are those God freely gave.

We know the grace of Jesus Christ:
Though He was rich above,
In poverty He sacrificed
Himself for us in love.

Wealth by any other measure
Than God's redeeming grace,
Shall soon be stripped of all its treasure,
Without a seeming trace.

There is a gulf that separates
Those facing condemnation
From every soul that celebrates
The wealth of God's salvation.

The time to reevaluate
If we are rich or not
Is NOW before it is too late
To change our hopeless lot!

Lord, thank You for the price You paid
To ransom us from hell!
Our greatest riches have been weighed:
In Christ alone they dwell!

Trusting the Tremendous

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.... This God is our God forever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:14). "Trust in the Lord with all of thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes.... The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding He hath established the heavens. By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew" (Proverbs 3:5-20).

Trust in the Lord, for why would you not?
There's no greater guide you can find!
Heaven and earth by His word were wrought,
And not by our wisdom designed.

Trust in the Lord, so tremendously wise,
This great God is our God forever!
Why would we flatter ourselves in our eyes,
And think somehow we are more clever?

Trust in the Lord now with all of your heart,
Who waters the earth with His dew.
The earth is His canvas, His own work of art,
And we are His workmanship too!

Trust in the Lord, and in all of your ways,
Acknowledge His wisdom to lead.
Our Lord is tremendously worthy of praise;
He knows how to meet every need.

Source of our Song

"God is the King of all of the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.... God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness.... for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted" (Psalm 47:7-9). "The Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.... He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly" (Proverbs 2:6,7).

God is the King who majestically wields
The power that rules His creation.
By Him the earth is protected by shields;
Without them would be devastation.

Sing praises to God now with this understanding:
The Lord is our Shield as well,
For He bore the judgment His Law was demanding
In order to save us from hell!

Sing praises to God with a sweet meditation
Through wisdom that He will make known,
For He is the Source of our Song of salvation,
Our God and our Savior alone!

Stabilizing Stillness

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).

There is a strength in solitude,
A joy in quietness,
Where worry never can intrude,
And trust removes distress.

There is a sweet tranquility,
Since God has said "Be still,"
As once He did upon the sea,
When waves obeyed His will.

There is a promise God has made,
And it shall not be halted,
When all His foes shall be dismayed,
And He shall be exalted.

O Lord, we thank You for Your peace,
Not as the world gives,
A peace with God which cannot cease,
Because our Savior lives!