Mingled with Mercy

"Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation.... Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:7-10). "Come, eat of My bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled" (Proverbs 9:5).

Only God's love and His counsel so wise
Could mingle together by His saving act
Mercy and truth that are not compromised,
And peace with His righteousness fully intact.

Come and behold what the Savior has done;
Now eat of His bread and partake of His wine!
Mercy is mingled with truth in God's Son;
His peace and His righteousness call us to dine!

Mercy could never be offered alone;
Truth must be satisfied! God must be just!
That is why Jesus our Lord left His throne;
Thereby He justified sinners like us!

Peace without righteousness could not be ours;
Justice and judgment still have their demands!
That is why Jesus our Lord has the scars
Visible still as He shows us His hands!

What can we say as we sit at Your table
And ponder these symbols, O Lord, You employ?
In silence we worship, for words are not able
To rightly express our unspeakable joy!

Favored with Freedom

"The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). "Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord" (Proverbs 8:34,35). "Then said Jesus... If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31,32).

The grace our Lord gives with His glory is known
In the freedom that lives in the hearts of His own.
His blessing is stored for each one who waits
To hear from the Lord and watch at His gates.

Each day there is favor that God would impart
To change our behavior and strengthen our heart.
We should not forget, nor count common place,
This favor that met our need by His grace!

For we have been saved who once were not free;
Once blind and enslaved, by grace we now see!
With joy we now sing, O Lord, of Your favor.
Let true freedom ring, proclaiming our Savior!

Above the Abyss

"And He said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:23,24).

Our Lord came from above for this:
To save this sinful world!
He looked with grief on the abyss
Where sinners must be hurled.

He would not, therefore, stay above
To mourn that awful loss.
Compelled by mercy, truth, and love,
He suffered on the cross.

And thus He opened heaven's door
To all who would receive
The Savior prophesied before,
Who saves all who believe!

Yet sinners even now refuse
The gift of God's salvation;
Rejecting Christ, they thereby choose
Eternal condemnation!

It seems so strange, O Lord, today,
With all Your evidence,
That sinners still refuse to pray,
Rejecting Your Defense!

We thank You, Lord, for love displayed
Upon the cross so true
And for the fear to thus persuade
Our hearts to trust in You.

Necessity of Nicodemus

"Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them), Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" (John 7:50,51).

The time for Nicodemus came
When he must speak aloud.
No longer could he bear the shame
Of blending with the crowd.

Quietly, he'd come by night
To hear our Savior's Word,
But now with boldness in the light
He spoke, and he was heard.

Nicodemus just appealed
To what the law had said:
That they should hear what Christ revealed,
And by the truth be led.

Today there is need to stand
Like Nicodemus did
Against the status quo's demand
That Christ should now be hid.

Beware, for silence gives consent
To lies that must be halted!
The dawn is near, the night far spent:
Our Lord should be exalted!

Lamenting the Loss

"Oh that My people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in My ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies... their time should have endured forever... He should have fed them also with the finest of wheat, and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee" (Psalm 81:13-16). "Hear Me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the word of My mouth.... lest thou give thine honor unto others, and thy years to the cruel... and thou mourn at the last" (Proverbs 5:7-11).

The Lord laments what might have been
If only those had hearkened
Who turned away, exchanging then
His light for paths so darkened!

Hear His anguished lamentation
In that word "Oh!" expressed.
How He longed for their salvation
Whereby they could be blessed!

The lamentation of the fool
Shall also come at last
Whose life was given to the cruel
In years that now are past.

You loved us, Lord, to the extreme!
You could not bear the loss
Of sinners whom You might redeem
Upon that cruel cross!

Oh Lord, receive our thanks today
For love that sought us first.
When we like sheep had gone astray,
To save us, You were cursed!

Death, which was our enemy,
Was conquered when You died!
You gave us life eternally;
Our souls are satisfied.

We praise You, Lord, for wondrous love
That rescued us from wrath,
And from the lamentation of
Our broad, destructive path!

Dawning or Darkness

"But 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.... Ponder the path of thy feet" (Proverbs 4:18-26). "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:67,68).

Ponder now the path you take:
The darkness leads the lost astray.
Will you live for Jesus' sake,
Or will you also go away?

The righteous path, just like the dawn,
Grows brighter till the perfect day.
Will this be the path you're on,
Or will you also go away?

We follow Christ into the light,
When we have heard Him and obey.
Will you choose to do what's right,
Or will you also go away?

O Lord, like Peter with one voice,
Who said that with You he would stay,
Our hearts agree! We've made our choice:
By grace we will not go away!

Hard to Hear

"Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.... Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:35,60).

Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life,
Will satisfy the soul,
Will calm the storm of inner strife,
And cleanse and make us whole.

In spite of all these blessings shown,
It's hard for some to hear it.
The Father clearly made Him known,
As did the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, unless we're taught of God
These truths will not make sense.
The natural mind will count them odd,
Despite the evidence.

Savior, Teacher, Lord of all,
You came to us in love,
As manna once before did fall
From heaven's store above.

Thank You, Lord, for open eyes
To see and understand:
You are the Bread that satisfies
As in a desert land!

Same as Solomon

"In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God.... Give me now wisdom and knowledge... for who can judge this Thy people that is so great? And God said to Solomon.... Wisdom and knowledge are granted unto thee" (2 Chronicles 1:7-12). "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding... then thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom" (Proverbs 2:3-6).

God appeared to Solomon,
And told him to request
Whatever that he wanted done,
And God would do the rest.

What an opportunity
To ask of God in prayer!
Yet God has said to you and me
This privilege is not rare.

If only we will likewise ask,
As Solomon then did,
For wisdom fitted to our task,
Such knowledge won't be hid.

This opportunity is ours!
For God, who made all things
(And as a footnote made the stars),
The same grace to us brings!

Ask: it shall be given you;
Seek and you shall find;
Knock: the door will open to
The wisdom of God's mind!

We need not wait another day
For wisdom now to live.
God's wisdom waits for those who pray,
Which He delights to give.

Principle of Proving

"Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah. And I said, this is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD; surely, I will remember Thy wonders of old" (Psalm 77:9-11). "When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do" (John 6:5,6).

Jesus knew what He would do;
In every circumstance.
This is a principle that's true
That's never left to chance.

Questions that our Lord would ask
To prove the heart of man,
Always would fulfill their task
According to His plan.

When God at times will prove our soul
With a perplexity,
Let us recall this principle
In our infirmity.

For God is surely on the throne,
But sometimes we forget,
And difficulties make this known
When we begin to fret.

O Lord, You know that we are frail
And that we are inclined
To worry when the storms prevail
And overwhelm our mind.

Yet in these times we would recall
You prove us as before,
To show us You are Lord of all,
And we should trust You more.

Offer as we Ought

"Let all that be round about Him bring presents unto Him that ought to be feared" (Psalm 76:11). "Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?.... Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.... and said.... Of Thine own have we given Thee" (1 Chronicles 29:5-14).

O Lord, we come with offerings
That You have given first.
You filled our souls with precious things,
And satisfied our thirst.

And who are we that we may come
To offer what is Yours?
For You, Lord, are the Fountain from
Which every blessing pours.

Thank You, Lord, for gifts so great
This world could never give.
Help us now to consecrate
To You this life we live.

Simply Said

"When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me" (John 5:6,7).

The question is simple (the answer is too),
Regarding the offer: Will you be made whole?
Discussions are long, but God can see through
All the vain chatter regarding our soul.

The answer is yes, or the answer is no.
How will we answer the Savior today?
If only we're willing, the Lord will then show
His power to heal our souls when we pray.

Be sure that our Lord needs no explanation
To tell Him that we have a difficult case!
He who left heaven to bring our salvation
Just waits for our answer to save us by grace.

Lord Jesus, we know You're alive from the dead,
And stand at the door as You knock to come in.
The bottom-line answer is still simply said:
The answer of yes still delivers from sin!

Solemn Word for Solomon's Will

"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but it thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever. " (1 Chronicles 28:9).

David's solemn exhortation
That Solomon would need,
Applies to every generation,
And every soul should heed.

For God is searching every heart
And He can understand
Where all imaginations start
Before they're even planned.

The Lord is searching every thought;
Not one escapes His view.
If you will seek Him as you ought,
He will be found by you.

But all who choose to go astray,
Refusing God admission,
The Lord forever casts away,
Though grieved by their decision!

O Lord our God, You've seen it all!
Each thought to You is known.
You hear our prayer before we call;
You listen when we groan.

O Lord, You search with holy eyes
Our deepest part within;
So have Your way, Lord, make us wise,
And purge our hearts from sin.

The Way to Worship

"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" (Psalm 73:28). "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him" (John 4:23).

Drawing near to God is good,
And God is seeking such today;
But first it must be understood
That there is only one true way.

The hour comes, and so is now,
When God will draw us by salvation,
In spirit and in truth to bow
To Christ in humble adoration.

The time has come; yes, now it is,
That God will draw us through His Son.
All who trust in Him are His;
No other way exists; not one!

Thank You, Lord, for making clear,
The way of worship you provide:
Through Christ alone our souls draw near,
Who paid our ransom when He died.

Decisive Decrease

"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Christ must increase in my life,
But I must decrease everyday.
Let there be no inner strife,
But more surrender to His way!

He that came from heaven's throne
Has entered in to rule my heart.
Let His cause now be my own,
And let Him reign in every part!

He must increase more and more;
O may there be such evidence
Exceeding that which was before,
That Christ may have preeminence.

I thank You, Lord, for greater peace
That comes with Your enlarged domain.
O let Your life in me increase
As I decrease, and thereby gain.

Marvel at Mercy

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.... For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:7,16,17).

We marvel not that Jesus said
We must be born again,
For in our sins we once were dead
And severed from Him then.

We marvel rather at the love
That found our remedy:
To send our Savior from above
To die for you and me!

We marvel also at the One
That came from heaven's throne
When God sent His beloved Son
To make His mercy known!

We marvel at what Mercy planned,
Considering the cost,
And ponder then the distance spanned
That He might save the lost!

We marvel that He paid the price
That new life might begin,
And so became our Sacrifice
To take away our sin!

O Lord, we've really just begun
To marvel and explore
The great things by Your mercy done;
We search its endless store!

The Question that Quickens

"Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.... Let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.... O Lord, make no tarrying" (Psalm 70:1-5). "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.... Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim" (John 2:4-7).

I hear my Savior turn and say:
What have I to do with you?
Quickly now, my soul, obey!
Whatsoever He says, do!

My life is like a water pot,
So dry and useless without Him.
My Lord commands, and shall I not
Now let Him fill me to the brim?

Or would I yet reserve some space
Within this water pot for sin?
O spare me, Lord, from this disgrace!
Hasten now to enter in!

Let us say, who love salvation:
Let the Lord be magnified!
And make no other reservation
But for Him who for us died!

Seek and See

"Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said... Where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see.... Philip findeth Nathaniel, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathaniel said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.... ye shall see heaven open" (John 1:38-51).

Who can quench the thirst within
The souls of all humanity?
Who can cleanse away our sin?
Now come to Christ! O come and see!

Who has evidence to prove
The truth at last that makes us free?
Who can every doubt remove?
Now come to Christ! O come and see!

Who descended from above
To save our souls eternally
And gave Himself for us in love?
Now come to Christ! O come and see!

Who has risen from the grave
To give to us His victory
And to the uttermost can save?
Now come to Christ! O come and see!

O Lamb of God, forevermore
You hold for us salvation's key
That opened for us heaven's door:
We thank You as we come and see!

Residing among Rebels

"Thou hast ascended on high, Thou has led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation" (Psalm 68:18,19). "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.... And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:14,16).

The Word became flesh among us to die
In order to purchase for us our salvation.
He now is ascended and reigning on high,
Yet dwells among rebels redeemed in each nation.

Our Lord who ascended on high received gifts
For rebels whom sin can no longer condemn.
Out of the dunghill He graciously lifts
These rebels that He may thus dwell among them.

Benefits greater that we could have dreamed
With grace upon grace now He daily makes known.
We who were rebels have all been redeemed
By Him who now dwells in the midst of His own!

Lord, as we ponder the terrible cost
By which You bought us as sinners from hell,
We who at one time were rebels so lost,
Praise You among those with whom You now dwell.

Prophecy's Purpose

"That Thy way may be known own earth, Thy saving health among all nations" (Psalm 67:2). "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:20,21). "All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Me... Thus it is written... that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations" (Luke 24:44-47).

Thus was it written and also fulfilled:
That Christ would be smitten, rejected and killed,
That He would be buried and rise the third day;
Not one of these tarried with undue delay!

The purpose is shown why these things were foretold:
That we should make known with a confidence bold
That all should repent and receive Christ's salvation;
This Gospel is sent in His name to each nation!

Resurrection Reality

"And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.... And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He said unto them, Have ye here any meat?" (Luke 24:33-41).

See the breathless joy that led
The two disciples in that room
From where the Lord had broken bread
And by His words expelled their gloom!

They then returned with joyful speed,
To tell those in Jerusalem
That Christ the Lord was raised indeed,
And that He was made known to them.

And as with joy they reminisced
With those who wondered with surprise
The Lord appeared then in their midst,
And they could not believe their eyes!

He told them, "Peace be unto you",
And showed to them His hands and feet,
They knew at last that it was true,
And fellowship with Him was sweet!

O Lord, it's no less true today
That You are risen from the grave!
The empty tomb is on display:
You live forevermore to save!