Death Meets His Match (Poem)

Death Meets His Match

Father Time met pale King Death
Sittin' by a tomb.
"Hello, old friend, I guess you're here
To seal somebody's doom."

"You might say that," sly Death replied.
A smile slid up his face.
"Inside reposes that Jesus man
Who said He'd save the race."

"And you, Time, why you stoppin' here?
Don't you have things to do?"
"I come each day to draw the veil
And let the mornin' through."

"Say, why you watchin' jus' one grave,
With all your vast domain?
Looks like you'd be out ramblin' round
And smitin' folks with pain."

"Well, this one's somethin' special.
He challenged me, they say.
Said He'd rest here just three days
Then stir and walk away."

"Now I'm the conqueror you know,
They don't talk up to me.
When I steps in to cut 'em down
It's for eternity."

"I sure can testify to that,"
Responded Father Time.
"I ain't seen one shake off the dust
Since you been in your prime."

"Well, I got other things to do,
I must be on my way.
I'll see you when I come back by
To make another day."

So whiskered Time went up the hill
To bid the sun to rise.
He left Death standin' by the tomb
Lookin' strong an' wise.

Next day, Time ambled by again,
"And how are things?" he queried.
"Kinda quiet," Death replied.
"I'm startin' to be wearied."

"I won't be here when you come by
About this time tomorrow.
I'm anxious to be on my way,
An' spread some grief and sorrow."

Now Father Time was quite surprised
When he came back to see
Death a quiverin' on the ground
In frightful agony!

His eyes were set, his throat was marked,
His clothes in disarray.
It wasn't difficult to see
That Death had had his day.

"What happened Death?" asked Father Time,
"What makes you look so bad?"
"I've never see you shake this way
Or seem so scared and sad."

Death pulled himself up on a rock
A-lookin' sick an' humble.
Hung his head an' wrung his hands
And Time could hear him mumble.

"Was sittin' here before the dawn
About to take my stroll,
When all at once this whole wide world
Began to reel and roll."

"That rollin' stone jumped off the door
An' skipped on down the hill.
Then everything grew dark and quiet,
Seemed like the earth stood still."

"I saw Him standin' in the door,
He didn't move or speak,
Just looked at me an' all at once,
I felt so tired and weak."

"He came and got a hold on me,
And threw me to the ground,
Put His foot here on my neck
Then took my keys an' crown."

"Two angels came to talk with Him,
They glistened like the sun.
He said, 'The plans all finished now,
Redemption's work is done'."

As they passed the garden gate
I heard him say, just then,
"He's settin' free my captives
And givin' gifts to men."

Time and Death met once again
Off yonder by the gate.
"It's good to see you," said Old Time.
"I've wondered 'bout your fate."

"I'm just a lowly servant now,
There's little time to roam,
I just push open this old gate
And help the saints get home!"

~Elwood McQuaid~

To hear the presentation of this poem in church, please visit this page:
Death Meets His Match

But We See Jesus by Annie Johnson Flint (Poem)

But We See Jesus

"I don't look back, God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets,
I leave them all with Him who blots the record,
And mercifully forgives, and then forgets.

I don't look forward, God sees all the future,
The road that, short or long, will lead me home,
And He will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burdens that may come.

But I look up - into the face of Jesus,
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled,
And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,
And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled."

~Annie Johnson Flint~

Thirsting In This Wilderness (Poem)

In 2005, after my Mom died, I spent time with my family attempting to comfort them by preaching about her saving faith at her memorial. I came back so spiritually dry and thirsty from this time, and was unexpectedly empty. I came across these words in Isaiah during my very next Bible reading and they really soothed my soul.

Isaiah 41:17-18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

As a result of these verses, I put together various studies on living water, but I don't think I ever tried to put these ideas into a poem. Recently reading through Ecclesiastes has brought them back to mind, and this is my attempt to do so. I feel like I'm priming a rusty water pump - as this is my first poem in a long while. Feel free to give me your input. I promise I will not be offended and will consider it.

Thirsting In This Wilderness

I've been striving so long in this wilderness so cruel,
Wandering around aimlessly, in fact I've been a fool;
Searching for something else to fill this empty void inside,
So blind to my own decision to leave the Saviour's side.

Growing rough and weary, no solid footing for my feet;
Stumbling through the Tempter's snares only brought me swift defeat.
This endless barren desert brings a parching, aching thirst -
That can only be quenched by the True Love I knew at first.

Faltering in the darkness, with treacherous paths ahead;
Surrounded by fiery serpents, each shadow marked with dread;
Crying for some guidance, grieved I had ever gone astray;
I heard a voice call out to me, "My child, this is the way."

Turning to heed God's Word, I see my Shepherd standing there -
With provisions to strengthen me, all my burdens to bear.
With streams of living water, Jesus fills that thirst within,
Works His peace deep in my soul, brings me back to life again.

June 14th, 2012
Jerry Bouey

Deuteronomy 8:15-16a Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna...

Isaiah 30:18-21 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

If you are interested, please visit the link below to hear this poem presented in church:
(The audio recording is at the top of the page)

Thirsting In This Wilderness