The Lord Our Righteousness (Hymn by Robert Murray M'Cheyne)

The Lord Our Righteousness

I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU was nothing to me.

I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage,
Isaiah's wild measure and John's simple page;
But e'en when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree,
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU seemed nothing to me.

Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over His soul;
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree,
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU -- 'twas nothing to me.

When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could I see --
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU my Saviour must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the fountain, life-giving and free --
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU is all things to me.

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU! my treasure and boast,
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU! I ne'er can be lost;
In Thee I shall conquer by flood and by field --
My cable, my anchor, my breastplate and shield!

Even treading the valley, the shadow of death.
This watchword shall rally my faltering breath;
For while from life's fever my God sets me free,
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU my death-song shall be.

~Robert Murray M'Cheyne~

Jehovah Tsidkenu means "The LORD our Righteousness."

Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The Prodigal's Return (Song)

The Prodigal's Return

The Far Country could never satisfy,
Oh what a foolish soul I have been.
I've come to myself, and I wonder now,
Will my Heavenly Father take me in?

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned -
I have wandered astray for many days;
Now broken inside, I'm coming home again -
I'm so tired of my wayward ways.

My thoughts run faster than my feet can go -
What kind of reception awaits me there?
No, I won't falter, I have to know,
"Will He receive me?" my only prayer.

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.
No more wandering about in a daze -
Cleanse my heart, make me whole again,
Restore the joys of yesterdays.

What is that on the horizon?
Is that my Father waiting there?
A thousand thoughts hedge my ways...

But with arms opened wide,
He receives me to Himself;
My heart's so filled with love and praise.

Like the Prodigal, I've come home again,
So tired of my wayward ways -
Now a peace within and a song of joy;
My heart's so filled with endless praise.

My heart's so filled with endless praise...

May 12th/06
Jerry Bouey

Luke 15:17-20 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

I Met The Master (Poem)

I Met The Master

I had walked life's way with an easy tread,
Had followed where comforts and pleasure led,
Until one day in a quiet place
I met the MASTER face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,
Much thought for my body, but none for my soul,
I had entered to win in life's mad race,
When I met the MASTER face to face.

I had built my castles and reared them high,
With their towers had pierced the blue of the sky,
I had sworn to rule with an iron mace,
When I met the MASTER face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see
That His eyes, full of sorrow, were fixed on me;
And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,
While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished and in their place
Naught else did I see but the MASTER's face.
And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meet
To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet."

My thought is now for the souls of men,
I have lost my life to find it again,
E'er since one day in a quiet place
I met the MASTER face to face.

~ Author Unknown ~

This I Know (Poem)

This I Know

I do not know what next may come
Across my pilgrim way;
I do not know tomorrow's road,
Nor see beyond today.
But this I know -- my Saviour knows
The path I cannot see;
And I can trust His wounded hand
To guide and care for me.

I do not know what may befall,
Of sunshine or of rain;
I do not know what may be mine,
Of pleasure and of pain;
But this I know -- my Saviour knows
And whatsoe'er it be,
Still I can trust His love to give
What will be best for me.

I do not know what may await,
Or what the morrow brings;
But with the glad salute of faith,
I hail its opening wings;
For this I know -- that my Lord
Shall all my needs be met;
And I can trust the heart of Him,
Who has not failed me yet.

-- E. Margaret Clarkson

The Hand That Held It Was Not Seen (Poem)

The following poem was taken from chapter 11 of A Minister's Obstacles. I am not sure if the author of the book is also the author of the poem.

The Hand That Held It Was Not Seen

He held the lamp that Sabbath day
So low that none could miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring to sight
That picture fair of Christ the Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between
The hand that held it was not seen.

He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below;
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank, the pitcher them between,
The hand that held it was not seen.

He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear;
And then with louder note and bold,
To storm the walls of Satan's hold;
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it was not seen.

And when our Captain says, 'Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant; come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp;
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in the pierced ones, naught between.

~ Author Unknown ~

I Will Never Leave You (Poem by Jan McIntosh)

I Will Never Leave You

I will never leave you,
I promised it in My Word.
I, Jehovah God, your Creator,
Your Master, your Friend, the Lord.

WILL of My own free choice,
Not because I must,
But because I love you so dearly
And desire that in Me you trust.

NEVER will I leave you,
You can depend solely on Me.
Though friends and family forsake you,
I'm with you for eternity.

LEAVE you? -- No, not ever.
I will stay right by your side.
You will always be in My presence,
With Me you will forever abide.

YOU -- Yes you, dear believer,
My most precious valued one.
Because you turned away from sin
And believed in My Holy Son.

Yes, just as He has told us,
As He promised in His Word,
"I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU",
Oh, what a wonderful Lord!

© 1991 Jan McIntosh
(Used With Permission)

The Battle Is The Lord's (Poem)

The Battle Is The Lord's

Our God is the God of the impossible,
Oh stand still, and He shall make a way.
Jesus is the Captain of the Lord's Host;
Fear not, He shall fight for you this day.

He's God of all the hills and valleys,
All earth's treasures are under His command.
Oh be not fretful nor discouraged,
All we need comes from His loving hand.

When evil seems to overwhelm you,
Fear not sin's entanglements and cords,
With steadfast faith, claim the victory,
My brethren, the battle is the Lord's.

May 26th, 2003
Jerry Bouey

1 Samuel 17:45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

Near To The Throne Of God (Poem)

Near To The Throne Of God

In sin so long I had wandered,

My spirit, in darkness had trod,
But someone stood in the gap for me,
Brought me near to the throne of God.

The Lord opened my eyes to see,
He heard my repentant heart pray.
In faith, I came to the rugged cross,
To Jesus, the Life and the Way.

I owe it all to my Saviour:
His servant He placed in my way,
He brought me near to the throne of God -
And praise Him, He saved me that day!

Now I am under commission;
In service to my King - I am awed.
He charged me with a solemn duty:
To bring others to the throne of God.

February 3rd, 2004
Jerry Bouey

2 Corinthians 5:17-21  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Wait On The Lord (Poem)

Wait On The Lord

My soul, wait only on the Lord,
Expecting nothing save from Him.
Rest all on His unfailing Word
Nor ever let thy faith grow dim.
Thine every need shall be supplied,
Thy heart's desires be freely given,

And no good thing shall be denied
The soul in harmony with heaven.
All human strength but disappoints,
Its wrecks along life's path are strewed;
But they who wait as God appoints
Shall daily find their strength renewed.

On eagles' wings of faith they rise
And far above earth's tumult sail,
They run, unwearied, toward the prize,
They walk, and neither faint nor fail.
However, hope!, as seems thy case,
Go spread it out before the throne;

And in His boundless, matchless grace,
Our God will make His power known.
Then in His strength go meet thy task,
Assured He bears with thee the load.
If great thy need, then largely ask;
All things are possible with God.

- Mrs. W. A. Vroman

(Taken from A Practical Primer on Prayer)

The Lord Our Banner (Song by Angela Trenholm)

(Put to the tune of "The Fight Is On" - as written below the poem - simply sing the original chorus between each stanza.)

The Lord Our Banner

The Lord Our Banner is the Christian's rally cry!
Raise the standard; there's battles to be fought,
Jehovah-Nissi is our Saviour from on High,
For without the Lord, the fight's all for nought.

The battle is hard and the cost seems so very high -
The squeamish and faint of heart need not apply -
For our fight is not against swords, bows, or spears,
But against the Devil and our own fears.

Dear brethren, the war's already been fought and won -
The battles are the Lord's - we fight not alone.
One day soon, we'll be glorified with God's own Son -
Be steadfast and faithful 'til He takes us home.

The battles are wearisome; and many are the foes,
Stand fast, brethren - do not falter nor faint!
Jesus, our Saviour, Captain of Jehovah's host,
Leads the final charge with thousands of His saints.

The Lord Our Banner, stands high upon the hill,
With our only weapon, the Word of God, held high.
The Lord will fight for us, and we need but stand still,
For the victory, our Lord will provide.

Angela Trenholm
December 26, 2003

Taken from: Exodus 17:15 (Jehovah is my banner)

And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD
will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

He [Christ] shall not forever sit in waiting posture, but shall come into the fight to end the weary war by his own victorious presence. He will lead the final charge in person; his own right hand and his holy arm shall get unto him the victory. (Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury Of David)

The Fight is On
(by Leila N. Morris)

The fight is on, the trumpet sound is ringing out,
The cry "To arms!" is heard afar and near;
The Lord of hosts is marching on to victory,
The triumph of the Christ will soon appear.

Chorus:
The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today!
The fight is on, but be not weary;
Be strong, and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o'er us,
We'll sing the victor's song at last!

The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!
Jehovah leads, and victory will assure;
Go buckle on the armor God has given you,
And in His strength unto the end endure.

The Lord is leading on to certain victory;
The bow of promise spans the eastern sky;
His glorious Name in every land shall honored be;
The morn will break, the dawn of peace is nigh.

My Hiding Place (Hymn)

My Hiding Place

Hail, sovereign love, which first began;

The scheme to rescue fallen man!

Hail, matchless, free, eternal grace,

Which gave my soul a hiding place.

Against the GOD that built the sky

I fought with hands uplifted high,

Despised the mention of His grace,

Too proud to seek a hiding place.

Enwrapt in thick Egyptian night,

And fond of darkness more than light,

Madly I ran the sinful race,

Secure - without a hiding place!

But thus the eternal counsel ran;

Almighty love, arrest that man!

I felt the arrows of distress,

And found I had no hiding place.

Indignant justice stood in view;

To Sinai's fiery mount I flew;

But justice cried with frowning face,

This mountain is no hiding place!

Ere long a heavenly voice I heard,

And mercy's angel soon appeared:

He led me with a beaming face,

To JESUS as a hiding place.

On Him almighty vengeance fell,

Which must have sunk a world to hell!

He bore it for a sinful race,

And thus became their Hiding Place.

Should sevenfold storms of thunder roll,

And shake this globe from pole to pole,

No thunderbolt shall daunt my face,

For JESUS is my Hiding Place.

- Major John Andre

The Lampstand (Poem)

"Shine as lights in the world."

The Lampstand

Shine forth, O light of God indwelling.
May the flame burn clear and bright
Fed by that pure and endless oil,
The Spirit filling me. Let not
This flesh, this mortal lamp, obscure
The brightly burning flame. O God,
Let not the lampstand intervene
Or claim the glory for itself.
May it be clean, and plain, and yielded
To the holding of that precious
Oil, flaming, burning brightly
That the world may see Christ.

- Joan. H. Lyon

Hm, it is funny how when you see something worded a little different that you see a Scriptural truth in a whole new light.

I always took the references to us being the light of the world as indicating it was our job to shine out among the lost, shining out with the truth of the Word of God.

Yet this poem presents it in a way that indicates we are to be the vessel holding the light (and oil) that shines out from us. Now the picture seems a little clearer for me - it is more like a combination of both concepts.

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We are the light of the world, shining forth the light of Christ to the world.

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Now this definitely makes me want to study out even more how the priests in the OT tabernacle were to take care of the candlesticks:

Always filled with oil (the Holy Spirit)

Never go out (always shining the pure light)

Wick trimmed neatly (having our vessels clean, useful for service)

I always looked at how the candlestick pictured Christ (and the Holy Spirit), but had not looked much at how it pictured the believer. Looks like it might be an interesting study!

"God Meant It Unto Good" (Poem)

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

"GOD MEANT IT UNTO GOOD"

"God meant it unto good"--O blest assurance,
Falling like sunshine all across life's way,
Touching with Heaven's gold earth's darkest storm clouds,
Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.

'Twas not by chance the hands of faithless brethren
Sold Joseph captive to a foreign land;
Nor was it chance which, after years of suffering,
Brought him before the monarch's throne to stand.

One Eye all-seeing saw the need of thousands,
And planned to meet it through that one lone soul;
And through the weary days of prison bondage
Was working towards the great and glorious goal.

As yet the end was hidden from the captive,
The iron entered even to his soul;
His eye could scan the present path of sorrow,
Not yet his gaze might rest upon the whole.

Faith failed not through those long, dark days of waiting,
His trust in God was recompensed at last,
The moment came when God led forth His servant
To succour many, all his sufferings past.

"It was not you but God, that sent me hither,"
Witnessed triumphant faith in after days;
"God meant it unto good," no "second causes"
Mingled their discord with his song of praise.

"God means it unto good" for thee, beloved,
The God of Joseph is the same today;
His love permits afflictions strange and bitter,
His hand is guiding through the unknown way.

Thy Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,
Hath purposes for thee of love untold.
Then place thy hand in His and follow fearless,
Till thou the riches of His grace behold.

There, when thou standest in the Home of Glory,
And all life's path lies open to thy gaze,
Thine eyes shall see the hand which now thou trustest,
And magnify His love through endless days.

--Freda Hanbury Allen

(Taken from Streams In The Desert devotional)

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The Ninety And The Nine (Hymn)

The Ninety And The Nine

There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold --
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd's care.

Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?
But the Shepherd made answer, "This of mine
Has wandered away from me,
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep."

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry --
Sick and helpless, and ready to die.

Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way
That mark out the mountain's track?
They were shed for one who had gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.
Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?
They are pierced tonight by many a thorn.

But all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gates of heaven,
Rejoice! I have found my sheep!
And the angels echoes around the throne,
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!

Lyrics by Elizabeth C. Clephane
Music by Ira Sankey