Congregation of the Cursed

"Gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field, for...  the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die... And he that regarded not the Word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field" (Exodus 9:19-21).  "Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous" (Psalm 1:5).  "The curse causeless shall not come" (Proverbs 26:2).  "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13). 

The congregation of the cursed

Still mocks God's Word without regard

To fearful warnings of the worst

That judgment holds for hearts so hard. 

How fearful is this introduction

To those who yet continue scorning

Without concern for the destruction

 Of those who will dismiss God's warning! 

By all means, God is saving some

Who from His wrath will turn and flee. 

The curse that's causeless shall not come

To those in Christ eternally. 

O Lord, we've seen this congregation,

For this is where we all begin, 

But You were cursed for our salvation

To be our Hiding Place from sin!  

Finger of Faith

"The magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God... I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.  And I will put a division between My people and thy people" (Exodus 8:19-23).  "Praise God... for His mighty acts" (Psalm 150:1,2).  "A faithful messenger... refresheth the soul... as cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news" (Proverbs 25:13,25).  "I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). 

Magicians gave a true report

To Pharaoh in their fearful hour:

The facts that they could not distort

Displayed the finger of God's power. 

God's finger points now to the facts

That show the truth of saving grace,

Exhibiting His mighty acts

With evidence we can embrace. 

The finger of our faith must point

To God and to His saving favor.

The messengers He will anoint

Declare the Gospel of our Savior. 

Lord, as Your finger points above

To where You're seated on Your throne,

Our faith beholds Your wounds of love,

The tokens of Your passion shown.    

The Beauty and the Battle

"The LORD said unto Moses... Thou shalt speak all that I command thee... that I may... bring forth Mine armies" (Exodus 7:1-4).  "The LORD... will beautify the meek with salvation... Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand" (Psalm 149:4-6).  "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6).  "It pleased God... to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen...  and they glorified God in me" (Galatians 1:15-24). 

The Lord has called us to the duty

Of speaking all that He commands,

That we may thus reflect the beauty

Of His own mouth, His feet, His hands. 

The beauty of so great salvation 

Has clothed the people of the Lord.  

The Gospel is their proclamation;

The Bible is their two-edge sword.  

We are triumphant in this war

By counsel that our Lord imparts

That guides and guards us evermore  

With His dominion in our hearts. 

It is Your beauty, Lord, we see

In those who call upon Your name.

It is Your battle's victory

Upon the cross that we proclaim.  

Exaltation and Examination

"Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do" (Exodus 6:1).  "Praise ye the LORD... the praise of all His saints... a people near unto Him. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 148:1,14).  "My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways" (Proverbs 23:26).  "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). 

The Lord told Moses he would see

That He would do as He had spoken.

As God has said, so shall it be;

His promise never shall be broken. 

We praise the Lord who brought us near

By paying our redemption's price. 

We worship Him with holy fear  

And thank Him for His sacrifice. 

The Lord has drawn our hearts with praise

For all He's done and yet will do

As we  observe His perfect ways

And give our hearts to Him anew. 

O Savior, in Your exaltation,

We worship You and seek Your face.

We know, by self-examination,

Our faith is anchored in Your grace!  

Answer of the Almighty

"Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?" (Exodus 5:2).  "He healeth the broken in heart... Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:3-5).  "Have not I written to thee excellent things...  that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:20,21).  "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

There was a class that was in session

Which Pharaoh surely would attend

To learn the answer of his question

That God would help him comprehend. 

"Who is the Lord?" we hear him say. 

The time had come to go to school.

The wise are those who will obey;

Rebellion will expose the fool. 

The Lord has given us His Word

To answer honest hearts so moved

To ask for truth and be assured

With promises the Lord has proved. 

Almighty God, Your Word is clear

By which Your answer is imparted. 

To those who seek You, You are near

With grace to heal the brokenhearted.