Dealing with Doubt

"Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment?" (Proverbs 4:4). "And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship.... And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:37-40).

Why are we fearful? Why do we doubt?
Our Savior is Lord of the storm.
Isn't it time that we figured that out,
Though increasingly, doubt is the norm?

Our Lord is the One who has gathered the wind
And is holding its force in His fist.
The waters are bound as a garment He pinned
By His power that none can resist.

At Jesus' command the tempest shall cease;
The wind and the sea shall be calm.
Why do we doubt then, since we have His peace,
And He is the theme of our Psalm?

Storms come and go, and they will reveal
Our measure of doubt or assurance.
So after the storm, let us prudently deal
With doubt that will hinder endurance.

So let us be rid of our doubt and deception,
Assured by our Lord on His throne,
And let us remember His power, perfection,
And pity for all of His own.

Beyond the Basics

"Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:3-5).

Know that the Lord is our God and Creator.
When this basic premise is then understood,
Let us consider His ways even greater,
That we may thankful that our God is good.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving to Christ;
Enter His courts with an offering of praise.
See then the offering there sacrificed;
Behold now the Lamb of God it portrays!

Be thankful to Him who gave Himself thus;
Come, bless His name, who has wrought our salvation!
His mercy is everlasting to us;
His is truth shall endure to each generation!

Fire of His Fear

"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out" (Leviticus 6:13). "Happy is the man that feareth [the Lord] always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief" (Proverbs 28:14).

The altar with unceasing fire,
Always burning day and night,
Portrayed a steadfast, pure desire
For holy living in God's sight.

This holy fire before God's eyes
Required fuel each night and day,
And here the fear of God applies
In all we think, and do, and say.

We surely are constrained by love
That loved us first and loved us best.
Yet love is a component of
That holy fear we manifest.

There is a sad alternative
That hardens thus our hearts with doubt:
When without God's fear we live,
The fire of holy love goes out.

Let us then by grace now learn
To live for Christ with holy fear,
And daily let love's fire burn;
So much the more as He draws near.

Day for Diligence

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth... My son, be wise, and make My heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth Me... Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:1,11,23).

Yesterday is gone forever;
Its time we cannot borrow.
Let's focus on today's endeavor,
And pray about tomorrow.

The day for diligence is now;
Our goal, to please the Lord.
The strength we need He will endow;
Our diligence reward.

Be diligent to know the state
Of those you lift in prayer.
God esteems their value great,
Who put them in your care.

God has placed within the sphere
Of our responsibility
The flocks we care for now and here,
In light of their eternity.

So with a view to our Lord's pleasure
In whom His love is poured,
Regarding these as priceless treasure,
We tend them for our Lord.

Messiah's Mission

"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart" (Psalm 95:7,8). And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto His disciples, How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:16,17).

Jesus saw His crucial mission:
To heal the sin-sick soul.
Thus He came as our Physician
To save and make us whole.

Jesus carried out His mission
By dying in our place
And calling for a clear decision
To turn from sin to grace.

Jesus yet pursues His mission
Now through His Spirit sent,
Reproving sinners who will listen,
And earnestly repent.

Jesus calls us to His mission,
That we might fully yield,
By salvation and submission,
To labor in His field.

Jesus will complete His mission;
His purpose shall not fail.
The Gospel of His great commission
Shall by His Church prevail.

Blazing the Blessing

"And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him... If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.... and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter" (Mark 1:40-45).

Blaze the Gospel matter much!
Now spread the Word abroad!
Jesus Christ extends His touch
Of healing power from God!

Blaze the matter of His love:
Descending from His throne,
He left adoring throngs above
To suffer all alone.

Blaze the matter of salvation,
And praise our Savior's name,
Who saves us from our condemnation
And cleanses us from shame!

Blaze the matter that He lives
With power now to save!
Eternal life He freely gives
Because His life He gave.

Mindful of His Majesty

"The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting" (Psalm 93:1,2). "[John] preached saying, There cometh One mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose" (Mark 1:7).

Mindful of His majesty
We try to contemplate
The God of all eternity,
Magnificently great!

This world that He created,
Still established and unmoved
His power has demonstrated,
And His majesty has proved.

Yet we barely have begun,
As we've thought about creation.
The throne of God the Son
Exceeds imagination!

Before all matter, space, and time
Were created by His Word,
Clothed in majesty sublime,
Forever He endured.

As John was heard to testify,
(How correctly it was put!)
We are not worthy to untie
The sandal of His foot.

Perpetual Praise

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High: to show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning and Thy faithfulness every night" (Psalm 92:1,2). "Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long" (Proverbs 23:17). "And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

It's good each day to thank and bless
Our loving Lord at morning light,
And also praise His faithfulness
Throughout the day and every night.

It's good each day for us to be
Discerning what is right and wrong
By living here accountably
Before our Savior all day long.

It's good each day that God is near
To be our Counselor and Friend.
From dawn to dusk He gives us cheer,
Yes, even to this world's end.

Discerning Deception

"The chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.... And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matthew 27:62,63, 28:5,6).

Come, discern, and see the place
Of Him you called "deceiver."
He is not here! Will you embrace
The truth of a believer?

For surely now the Lord requires
Discernment and perception
That God is true and they are liars
Who choose instead deception.

Behold His tomb! It's plain to see:
He's risen, as He said!
He is for all eternity
The Firstborn from the dead!

See the crown of God's defense
In this, His empty grave.
Discern now by the evidence:
He is alive to save!

Transient Treasure

"Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom... And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it" (Psalm 90:12,17). "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up" (Proverbs 21:20).

Transient treasure in a day
Is there for us to use,
And if we don't, it goes away
And all its value lose.

Transient treasure in each hour
Is there from God to take,
To draw upon His grace and power
And live for Jesus' sake.

Transient treasure in a minute
That God now bids us claim:
Eternity is granted in it
To call on Jesus' name.

Tabernacle Testimony

"For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys" (Exodus 40:38).

The cloud by day, the fire by night,
Was on the tabernacle tent,
A testimony in their sight,
Where the house Israel went.

In all their journeys and their strife
Throughout their desert wandering,
The tabernacle in their life
Was there for daily pondering.

The tabernacle court within,
With daily offerings sacrificed,
Would bring remembrance of their sin
And their Savior, Lord, and Christ.

The application that we enter
Within the tabernacle shown
Reminds us Christ is still the Center,
And we ought to make Him known.

These tabernacle paradigms,
Until with Christ we're face to face,
Instruct us in our life and times
To magnify our Savior's grace.

Farewell Friends

"Lover and friend hast Thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness" (Psalm 88:18). "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all saying, I know not what thou sayest.... Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shall deny Me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:69-75).

Let lover and friend, if need be, depart.
Bid every acquaintance farewell,
If they be a hindrance for giving your heart
To Him who has saved you from hell!

Peter's great failure is our illustration,
Who paid such a horrible price
For seeking to hide his affiliation
With Jesus, denying Him thrice.

And Peter went out and bitterly wept;
How awful indeed was his trial.
The palace yard friends he lamentably kept,
Were not worth his wretched denial.

Stand for the Lord now wherever you are;
Regard not the pressure of peers.
Let every acquaintance and friend be put far,
Rather than taste Peter's tears!

Strings and Springs

"The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God... The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee" (Psalm 87:2-7).

How glorious the gates are of Zion above!
How sweet is the fellowship there!
This is the place where the Lord sets His love,
And the place that He went to prepare.

How glad are the songs as we now draw near,
So skillfully played upon strings!
Christ is the theme of the choirs we hear,
Our life, and the source of our springs!

This one and that one were born there anew;
The Lord counts each spiritual birth.
O city of God, all my springs are in you;
I'm just a sojourner on earth!

Our names have been written in heaven: rejoice!
In the Book of the Lamb they are found
With all the redeemed who have heard the Lord's voice,
Who know there is no sweeter sound!

Unless I'm United

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name" (Psalm 86:11).

Unite now my heart to fear Your name,
And teach me, O Lord, Your way.
Unless I'm united, distractions shall claim
My time and attention all day.

My eyes shall be aimlessly wandering about,
My soul shall be vainly excited,
My heart shall be sowing and reaping my doubt,
Unless by Your fear I'm united.

Spare me, O Lord, from trivial pursuits;
There's much more of You to explore!
Unite now my heart and deepen its roots
In the Word of Your truth evermore!

Unless I'm united in heart I will roam,
So stir now my heart, Lord, anew
To watch and to pray until I am home,
United in heaven with You.

Mercy's Mixture

"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10). "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:6).

Mercy and truth now together have met.
Righteousness also with peace reconciled.
No other mixture was ever found yet
To save us from sin or to cleanse the defiled.

Mercy and truth in our Lord are fulfilled,
For mercy embraced us and entered our strife,
And truth that demanded a Victim be killed
Was met by our Savior who laid down His life.

Mercy and truth could not compromise;
Peace was denied us, without righteousness.
But God found a way that was loving and wise
By mercy and truth in our Lord that could bless.

Mercy and truth have purged every sin.
Righteousness also has granted us peace.
Salvation in Christ has invited us in
Where praise and thanksgiving to Him never cease.

Affection for the Afflicted

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee... who passing through the valley of Baca (i.e., weeping), make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.... Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God" (Psalm 84:5-7). "All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15). "Then shall the King say unto them... I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me" (Matthew 25:34,40).

Lord, lead us now through this valley of tears
With joy that will spread forth Your feast,
As each of us, thereby, before You appears
Whenever we comfort the least.

In all of their days the afflicted have sorrow;
Lord, show us to whom we should go
To show them Your love and a brighter tomorrow,
That each of Your children may know.

Until we're assembled one day at Your throne,
And the valley of tears is behind,
Lord, teach us to serve You by serving Your own
With words and with deeds that are kind.

Refuge and Rivers

"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death" (Proverbs 14:26,27).

The fear of the Lord is simply defined
As living accountably before His eyes.
This is our confidence and peace of mind;
This is the refuge to which our soul flies.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life;
Its rivers revive us in its flowing spring.
Thereby we rise up victorious in strife,
Escaping the dangers of death with its sting.

Come to this refuge as to a strong mountain,
To look for approval from our Lord alone.
Draw from the waters that flow from this fountain,
And drink from the rivers of grace from His throne.

So Serving

" God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth.... Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy" (Psalm 82:1-3). "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing" (Matthew 24:45,46).

God in our midst is observing;
In each congregation He stands.
He sees who is faithfully serving,
According to what He commands.

He sees who delivers the poor,
And cares for the fatherless one.
He sees who would rather ignore
The justice of those who have none.

What will He find us pursuing
In the day we are called to His throne?
Will we be His servants so doing
His will that to us He made known?

Oh Lord, may You find us today,
And each day You graciously give,
Your servants who wisely obey
And faithfully, gratefully live.

Happiness for Heaviness

"To the counselors of peace is joy.... Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:20,25). "And He [Jesus] said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?.... And they rose up the same hour... saying, The Lord is risen indeed!" (Luke 24:17,33,34).

Shake off your heaviness! Haven't you heard?
Now run to the tomb with great speed!
Counselors of gladness: Spread the good word!
Christ Jesus is risen indeed!

Joy has invaded and conquered the grave;
It's just as the Savior decreed!
Counselors of peace declare He will save:
Christ Jesus is risen indeed!

Sorrow departs as we joyfully sing
That Death surely couldn't succeed,
For Death has been robbed of its horrible sting:
Christ Jesus is risen indeed!

What is this manner of sad conversation?
From sorrow you may now be freed!
Turn to the Savior and Lord of salvation:
Christ Jesus is risen indeed!

Turn us in Time

"Give ear, O Shepherd.... Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psalm 80:1,3). "How often I would have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37).

Hear now, O Shepherd, the prayer of this Psalm:
Turn us again, and we shall be saved:
Lead us from tempest back into Your calm,
Grant us revival for which we have craved.

We hear Your compassion portrayed in the hen
That gathers her chickens all under each wing.
Because You are merciful, turn us again,
With Your own protection revival will bring.

Turn us again, from distraction of thought,
Turn us again, Lord, because You are good.
We hear Your indictment of those who would not,
Yet hold to the confidence, Lord, that You would!

Turn us again, Lord, while yet there is time!
You are the Fountain that satisfies thirst!
Draw us again, Lord, by Your love sublime,
To love You because You have so loved us first!