Meditate upon His Word

[goodreport]

...in song

GOD, IN THE GOSPEL OF HIS SON  (Beddome, 1787)  "The gospel of His Son" Romans 1:9

God, in the Gospel of His Son,
Makes His eternal counsels known;
Where love in all its glory shines,
And truth is drawn in fairest lines.

Here sinners of a humble frame
May taste His grace, and learn His name;
May read, in characters of blood,
The wisdom, power, and grace of God.

The prisoner here may break his chains;
The weary rest from all his pains;
The captive feel his bondage cease;
The mourner find the way of peace.

Here faith reveals to mortal eyes
A brighter world beyond the skies;
Here shines the light which guides our way
From earth to realms of endless day.

O grant us grace, almighty Lord,
To read and mark Thy holy Word;
Its truths with meekness to receive,
And by its holy precepts live.

[seekfirst]

in song

ANOTHER DAY BEGUN!  John Ellerton, 1871

Another day begun!
Lord, grant us grace that we,
Before the setting of the sun,
Redeem the time for Thee.

...

Another day of hope!
For Thou are with us still,
And Thine almighty strength can cope
With all who seek our ill.

Another day of grace
To help us on our way!
One step towards the resting-place,
The eternal Sabbath-day.

[seekfirst]

in song


FOR THE DEEP LOVE THAT KEPT US  (Burleigh, 1871)

For the deep love that kept us through the night,
And gave our senses to sleep's gentle sway;
For this new wonder of morning's dawning light,
Flushing the east with prophecies of day,
We thank Thee, O our God.

For the fresh life that through our being flows,
With its full tide to enrich and to bless;
For calm, sweet thoughts, upspringing from repose,
To bear to Thee our song of thankfulness,
We praise Thee, O our God.

Day utters speech to day, and night to night
Tells of Thy glory and power.  So would we
Thy children, duly, with morning's golden light,
Or still at eve, upon bended knee,
Adore Thee, O our God.

Thou knowest our needs, Thy fullness will supply;
Our blindness, Thy hand will still lead us on;
Till we shall see the Dayspring from on high,
Our prayer, one only, "Let Thy will be done,"
We breathe to Thee, O God.

[seekfirst]

in song


HE'LL WALK WITH ME ALL THE WAY  (Williams, 1913)

I know that my Savior will never forsake,
I know that my faith in Him never will shake;
My journey a pathway of gladness He'll make,
He'll walk with me all the way.

He'll lead me in paths that are pleasant and green,
And show me new glories, so long since unseen;
His hand will I hold all secure and serene,
He'll walk with me all the way.

My eyes will new beauty and glory perceive,
As daily His blessing life's tangles unweave;
I'll hold to His hand and no more let Him leave;
He'll walk with me all the way.


also read Psalm 23

[seekfirst]

in song


FREEDOM   (Fretz, 1908)

Christ, our glorious leader, calls to us today --
"Gird the armor on and to the field away!"
Slumber then no longer, His command obey,
And forevermore be free.

Refrain
Freedom! freedom! free in Christ, the Lord!
Freedom! freedom! trusting in His word!
By His grace and in His strength we win,
For His truth and love hath conquered sin!
Freedom! freedom! free in Christ the Lord!
Freedom! freedom! trusting in His Word!
We His faithful followers will be,
And we shall forevermore be free.


Moving bravely onward with His truth unfurled,
See the hosts of sin before us backward hurled;
With our captain we may overcome the world,
And forevermore be free.


Tho' the battle rages, strife will soon be past;
Skies will soon be light, which now are overcast;
We the victor's song of joy may sing at last,
And forevermore be free.

[seekfirst]

in song

PUT THOU THY TRUST IN GOD (Gerhardt, 1656)

Put thou thy trust in God,
In duty's path go on;
Walk in His strength with faith and hope,
So shall thy work be done.

Commit thy ways to Him,
Thy works into His hands,
And rest on His unchanging Word,
Who heaven and earth commands.

Though years on years roll on,
His covenant shall endure;
Though clouds and darkness hide His path,
The promised grace is sure.

Give to the winds thy fears;
Hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;
God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves, and clouds, and storms,
His power will clear thy way;
Wait thou His time, the darkest night
Shall end in brightest day.

Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command;
So shalt thou, wondering, own His way,
How wise, how strong His hand.

[anna274]

in song

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE  Havergal, 1874  Based on Rom 12:1  ...by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service)

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

=================
Bits and pieces from Spurgeon's Morning devotional for Feb 15 based on 2 Pet 3:18

Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus.  Eternity!  Thin unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, forever and forever, "to Him be glory."   ... Never shall His praises cease.

That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures.  The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the luster of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed.

O Jesus! Thou shalt be praised forever.  Long as immortal spirits live--long as the Father's throne endures--forever, forever, unto Thee shall be glory.   

...

Lord, help me to glorify Thee;  I am poor, help  me to glorify Thee by contentment;  I am sick, help me to give Thee honor by patience;  I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee;  I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve Thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine, and glow with no flame but affection for Thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee.

... I am all Thine, take me, and enable me to glorify Thee NOW, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.

[anna274]

in song

FAITH BRINGS THE VICTORY  (Hill, 1910 based on 1 John 5:4 This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith)

Do you see in the distance yonder,
That line drawn up in array?
'Tis the host of the Loyal Leaguers,
Come forth to the conquest day.
They follow the bloodstained banner,
And the path that their Master trod,
For their sign is the cross of Calv'ry,
And their sword is the Word of God.

Refrain
Victory, we'll sing of victory,
For Christ hath promised us the victory;
Victory, we'll sing of victory,
Faith brings the victory.


They are marching away to conquest
That shall never know a defeat,
For the Christ hath assured all vict'ry
Who are faithful and scorn retreat.
Then join this advancing army,
And look to the throne above,
LIFT THE FORM OF THY FALLEN BROTHER,
AND POINT TO THE GOD OF LOVE.

======

from Daily Overcoming  for February 20 by Ray Prinzing

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.  Rev 3:12

A pillar is one who supports, bears the load without wavering, always stedfast, faithful.  There is a place in God where we are "stedfast, unmoveable", (1 Cor 15:58) "being rooted and grounded in love", (Eph 3:17)

God is establishing His pillars, and upon them He shall build His kingdom in the days ahead.  The process of producing OVERCOMERS results in receiving those who do gain the victory, and thus qualify for becoming His "pillar and ground of the truth". (1 Tim 3:15), from whence the kingdom shall arise.  Settled in Christ they are not blown about by every wind of doctrine.  Founded upon the Rock they need not run to and fro, to seek Christ in the desert or in the far city.  He dwells within them, and they dwell in Him.

God's ensign, His pillar and ground of the truth, shall not be pointing in first one direction, and then with a change of mind point in another direction.  These shall KNOW THEIR GOD, and they shall consistently point all men to HIM.  Their lives shall be a solid, living declaration of truth.  Their state of being shall challenge men and women to rightness.
...
The pillars whom the Lord is preparing, "know in Whom they have believed", thus changing circumstances do not alter their standing.  Trials and testing do not dim their vision.  HE IS, and they are IN HIM.

[bushy]

A Johny Cash song:

Six foot six he stood on the ground
He weighed two hundred and thirty-five pounds
But I saw that giant of a man brought down
To his knees by love

He was the kind of man that would gamble on luck
Look you in the eye and never back up
But I saw him crying like a little whipped pup
Because of love

You can't see it with your eyes, hold it in your hands
But like the wind it covers our land
Strong enough to rule the heart of any man
This thing called love
It can lift you up never let you down
Take your world and turn it around
Ever since time nothing's ever been found
That's stronger than love

Most men are like me, they struggle and doubt
They trouble their minds day in and day out
Too busy with livin' to worry about
A little word like love

But when I see a mother's tenderness
As she holds her young close to her breast
Then I think god that the world's been blessed
With a thing called love

You can't see it with your eyes, hold it in your hands
But like the wind it covers our land
Strong enough to rule the heart of any man
This thing called love
It can lift you up never let you down
Take your world and turn it around
Ever since time nothing's ever been found
That's stronger than love

[anna274]

in song

JESUS, WE LOOK TO THEE  (Wesley, 1749) based on Matt 18:20

Jesus, we look to Thee,
Thy promised presence claim;
Thou in the midst of us shall be,
Assembled in Thy name.

Thy name salvation is,
Which here we come to show;
Thy name is life, and health, and peace,
And everlasting love.

Not in the name of pride
Or selfishness we meet;
From nature's paths we turn aside,
And worldly thoughts forget.

We meet, the grace to take
Which Thou hast freely giv'n;
We meet on earth for Thy dear sake
That we may meet in heaven.

Present we know Thou art;
But, O,Thyself reveal!
Now, Lord, let ev'ry waiting heart 
The mighty comfort feel.

O may Thy quickening voice
The death of sin remove;
And bid our immost souls rejoice,
In hope of perfect love.

================
excerpts from Daily Open Windows by TASparks for Feb 20

The Lord has not called upon us to form churches.  That is not our business.  Would to God men had recognized the fact!  A very different situation would obtin today from what exists, if that had been recognized.  It is the Lord Who expands His church, Who governs its growth.  What we have to do is to live in the place of His appointment in the power of His resurrection.  If, in the midst of others, the Lord gets but two of His children, in whom His Life is full and free, to live on the basis of that Life, and not to seek to gather others to themselves or to get them to congregate together on the basis of their acceptance of certain truths or teaching, but simply to witness to what Christ means and is to them, then He has an open way ...

Growth is by Life, and this, to begin with, may be by the entering into Life of but one, and then after a long waiting time of another; or it may be more rapid.  But the point is that it is increase of Life.  That is the growth of His church. ...

For the growth of His church, the Lord must have Life channels...

[anna274]

in song

FATHER, WHOSE EVERLASTING LOVE  Wesley, 1741

Father, whose everlasting love
Thy only Son for sinners gave,
Whose grace to all did freely move,
And sent Him down the world to save;

Help us Thy mercy to extol,
Immense, unfathomed, unconfined;
To praise the Lamb who died for all,
The general Savior of mankind.

Thy undistinguishing regard
Was cast on Adam's entire race;
For ALL Thou hast IN CHRIST prepared
Sufficient, sovereign, saving grace.

The world He suffered to redeem;
For ALL He hath the atonement made;
For those that will not come to Him
The ransom of his life was paid.

Why then, Thou UNIVERSAL LOVE,
Should any of Thy grace despair?
TO ALL, TO ALL, THY BOWELS MOVE,

Arise, O God, maintain Thy cause!
The fullness of the Gentiles call;
Lift up the standard of Thy cross,
AND ALL SHALL OWN THOU DIEST FOR ALL.

===========
from Daily Overcoming, Ray Prinzing

HE EVER WORKS HIS PLEASURE

Isaiah 55:11
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.

The Psalmist often gave expression to his thoughts on the omnipotence and sovereignty of God, as when he said, "But our God is in the heavens:  He hath done whatswoever He hath pleased." (Ps 115:3).  Or again, "For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.  Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in Heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. (Ps 135:5-6)  To this Paul readily gives his assent, by teaching that God "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will,"  (Eph 1:11)

HE IS ABOVE ALL.  He does rule over all.  He raises up kings and abases them according to His own plan and purpose.  We believe this, and rejoice in it, for this OUR God.  But, there is also a fact to be reckoned with, for in all the exercise of His will and purpose there is not one particle of perverseness or selfishness involved.  He performs His will because He know it is in the best interest of ALL His cretion, for He alone has the knowledge and wisdom necessary to make the right judgment.  His nature is LOVE,  and love motivates all his actions towards us, as an elect firstfruit to become a new creation, and towards ALL the world, which shall be delivered from the bondage of sin and shame in due time.

"GOD IS LOVE," (1 John 4:16).  We quote it, write mottoes of it to hang upon our walls, yet find it difficult to believe, "God so loved the world that He gave..." and continues give out of His boundless supply until He shall have brought every man into Himself, and lifted every creature into the highest realms of glory, to fulfill in each one that purpose for which we are created.  It is working out of a purpose in which He is well pleased.  A victory that is totally secure in Himself, and joyously and freely shared with us through His grace.

[anna274]

in song

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED   (Miles, 1912)

Praises be  to God, for I am glory bound,
For I AM A MIRACLE OF GRACE.
Ask of God a sign, it surely can be found
In a joy-filled Christian's face.

Refrain
'I know whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day.'
O praise the Lord!


I am under grace, no longer under law,
In the blessed light of love I'm free;
To the Word of God I go when sore distressed,
This is what it says to me:

Refrain


When the days are dreary, spent in pain or woe,
When the watches of the night are long,
I'll be trusting Jesus, so that in every place
I can always sing this song.

========================
excerpts from Daily Overcoming by Ray Prinzing (godfire.org)

Eccl 3:1,4  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. --A time to weep, and a time to laugh....

Ps. 126:2  We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.  And the other nations said, What amazing things the LORD has done for them.

This speaks of that deep sense of joy and well being which springs from the heart. ...

It seems too good to be true, the natural mind cannot accept it.  Abraham fell upon his face and laughed.  Sarah also laughed within herself, as the promises was given again that in their old age they should have a son.  How can that be?  The natural cannot grasp the glory of the supernatural... but when the promise is fullfilled, Sarah said GOD HATH MADE ME TO LAUGH, so that all that hear will laugh with me (Gen 21:6)  Not a ha, ha funny joke, nor a laugh of scorn,  BUT THAT DELIGHTFUL BURST OF JOY AND HAPPINESS THAT GOD CAN WORK A MIRACLE WHEN ALL NATURAL HOPE IS GONE.

... there is a time appointed when individually our deliverance comes, and we are made to laugh, and ultimately when all creation shall be brought into liberty... all creation shall be filled with pure joy and laughter.  The melody and praise that arises from the person set free is a sweet incense unto the LORD.


O the great, great joy of being a forgiven sinner.

One more hymn---

IT TOOK A MIRACLE (hymnlyrics.org)

My Father is omnipotent,
And that you can't deny;
A God of might and miracles-
'Tis written in the sky.

CHORUS;
It too a miracle to put the stars in place,
It took a miracle to hang the world in space;
But when He saved me,
Cleansed, made me whole, free,
IT TOOK A MIRACLE OF LOVE AND GRACE!

Though here His glory has been shown,
We still can't fully see
The wonders of His might, His throne--
'Twill take eternity

[anna274]

in song

HE THAT BELIEVETH  (Bliss, 1874)

Hear ye the glad good news from heav'n?
Life to a death-doomed race is giv'n!
Christ on the cross for you and me
Purchased a pardon full and free.

Refrain
He that believeth, he that believeth,
He that believeth hath everlasting life;
He that believeth, he that believeth,
He that believeth hath everlasting life.


When we were lost, the Son of God
Made an atonement by His blood:
When we the glad good news believe,
Then the atonement we receive.


Why not believe the glad good news?
Why still the voice of God  refuse?
Why not believe, when God hath said,
ALL, ALL our guilt 'on Him' was laid.


He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.  John 6:47
=========================================================


John 6:28, 29
v 28 ...What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
v 29  Jesus answered:  This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom He sent.

John 17
v 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.**
v 21 That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us:  THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME.

**John 17
v 17   Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

v 18   As Thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

v 19   And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

[anna274]

in song


MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE  (Hewitt, 1891)

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.


Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.

Refrain


My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's name,
Salvation through His blood.

Refrain


My great physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed.
For me His life He gave.

Refrain

We who have believed enter that rest.  Hebrews 4:3

[anna274]

in song

based on the words of Jesus  John 20:29...  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.


BLESSED ARE THEY THAT BELIEVE   Fanny Crosby, 1868

Come to the fountain of mercy and live,
Come, and a pardon receive;
Drink of the water that Jesus will give,
Freely to those that believe;
Weary and burdened with sorrow,
Sweet is the message to thee,
Learn of the meek and the lowly,
Come, heavy laden to Me.

Refrain
Come to the clear flowing river,
Drink of its waters forever,
Hungry and thirsty, O! never,
Blessed are they that believe!


Happy the nation whose God is the Lord;
Hearing in meekness and love
Counsels of wisdom and truth in His Word,
Looking for comfort above;
He is their rock and salvation,
He is their strength and their song,
Onward from glory to glory,
Leading them gently along.


LOOK UNTO JESUS, ALL nations of earth,
Victor of death and the grave,
Though He was humble, and lowly His birth
He is mighty to save.
Why should we wander in darkness?
Why to the world should we cling?
Hope, like a bird, is before us,
Pluming her beautiful wing.

[Watch/Pray]

in song


JESUS COMES  Palmer, 1869

WATCH, ye saints, with eyelids waking,
Lo, the pow'rs of heaven are shaking,
Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning,
Ready for your Lord's returning.

Refrain
Lo! He comes!  Jesus comes;
Lo! He comes, He comes all glorious!
Lo! He comes! Jesus comes!

Lo! the promise of your Savior;
Pardoned sin and purchsed favor,
Blood washed robes and crowns of glory;
Haste to tell redemption's story.


Kingdoms at their base are crumbling,
Hark, His chariot wheels are rumbling;
Tell, O tell of grace abounding,
Whilst the seventh trump is sounding.


Nations wane, tho' proud and stately,
Christ His kingdom hasteneth greatly;
Earth her latest pangs is summing,
Shout, ye saints, your Lord is coming.


Lamb of God!  Thou meek and lowly,
Judah's lion!  high and holy;
Lo!  Thy bride comes forth to meet Thee,
All in blood washed robes to greet Thee.

[Watch/Pray]

in song

MY HEART IS RESTING, O MY GOD   Waring, 1854


My heart is resting, O my God
I will give thanks and sing;
My heart is at the secret source
Of every precious thing,
Now the frail vessel Thou hast made
No hand but Thine shall fill--
for the waters of the earth have failed,
And I am thirsty still.

I thirst for springs of heavenly life,
And here all day they rise--
I seek the treasure of Thy love,
And close at hand it lies,
And a new song is in my mouth
To long loved music set--
Glory to Thee for all the grace
I have not tasted yet.

Glory to Thee for strength withheld,
For want and weakness known--
And the fear that sends me to Thy breast
For what is most my own.
I have a heritage of joy
That yet I must not see;
But the hand that bled to make it mine
Is keeping it for me.

There is a certainty of love
That sets my heart at rest--
A calm assurance for today
That to be poor is best --
A prayer reposing on His truth
Who hath made all things mine,
That draws my captive will to Him,
And makes it one with Thine.


to be continued...

[Watch/Pray]

in song

LORD, THOU HAST PROMISED GRACE FOR GRACE  Cox, 1839

Lord, Thou hast promised grace for grace
To all who daily SEEK THY FACE;
To them who have, Thou givest more
Out of Thy vast, exhaustless store.

Each step we take but gathers strength
For further progress, till at length,
With ease the highest steeps we gain,
And count mountain but a plan.

Who WATCH, and PRAY, and work each hour
Receive new life and added power,
A power fresh victories to win
Over the world, and self, and sin.

Help us, O lord, that we may grow
In grace as Thou dost grace bestow;
And still Thy richer gifts repeat
Till grace in glory is complete.

[anna274]

in song

FATHER, WHOSE EVERLASTING LOVE  Wesley, 1741

Father, whose everlasting love
Thy only Son for sinners gave,
Whose grace to all did freely move,
And sent Him down the world to save;

Help us Thy mercy to extol,
Immense, unfathomed, unconfined;
To praise the Lamb who died for ALL,
The general Savior of mankind.

The undistinguishing regard
Was cast on Adam's fallen race;
For all Thou hast in Christ prepared
Sufficient, sovereign, saving grace.

The world He suffered to redeem;
For all He hath the atonement made;
For those that will not come to Him
The ransom of His life was paid.

Why then, Thou universal Love,
Should any of Thy grace despair?
To all, to all, Thy bowels move,
but straitened in our own we are.

Arise, O God, maintain Thy cause!
The fullness of the Gentiles call;
Lift up the standard of Thy cross,
And all shall knowThou diedst for all.

[anna274]

in song


OH, SING WITH EXULTATION  Arrebo, 1623

Oh, sing with exultation,
Sing to the Lord, rejoice,
And in His congregation
Shout with triumphant voice.
For, lo, at God's right hand
Is Christ in glory seated;
With death and hell defeated,
As Victor doth command.

Since Christ, our Lord, is living,
We nevermore shall die;
To God the glory giving,
We rise to Him on high.
Though chastened we may be
And to our graves be taken,
We unto life shall waken
And live eternally.

Christ is the sure Foundation
The builder did reject,
But He for our salvation
Is precious and elect
And made the Corner-stone
On which the church is founded;
This marvel now is sounded,
THE WORK OF GOD ALONE.

To Thee,O Christ, be glory,
Who camest in His name!
Thy people sing the story
Thy praises to proclaim.
We thank Thee and adore,
O Christ, our Lord and Savior;
Thy grace and boundless favor
Stand fast forevermore.

[anna274]

in song

GO TO THE DEEPS OF GOD'S PROMISE  Breck, 1907

Go to the deeps of God's promise
Ask freely of Him and receive;
All good may be had for the asking,
If, seeking, you truly believe.

Refrain
God to the deeps of God's promise;
There's wideness of meaning untold
In the promises given His people
And the treasures they ever unfold.


Go to the deeps of God's promise;
And know of His wonderful might;
Whatever would be a true blessing,
For Jesus' sake, comes as thy right.


God to the deeps of God's promise;
The blessing is  never denied;
He loves, and remembers His children,
And every good thing is supplied.


Go to the deeps of God's promise;
And claim whatsoever ye will;
The blessing of God will not fail thee,
His Word He will surely fulfill.


John 14:13
Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

[anna274]

in song

GOD IS WORKING HIS PURPOSE OUT  Ainger, 1894

God is working His purpose out
As year succeeds to year;
God is working His purpose out,
And the time is drawing near;
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west,
Where'er man's foot hath trod,
By the mouth of many messengers
Goes forth the voice of God;
"Give ear to Me, ye continents,
Ye isles, give ear to Me,"
That the earth may be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.


What can we do to work God's work,
To prosper and increase
The brotherhood of all mankind,
The reign of the Prince of Peace?
What can we do to hasten the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

March we forth in the strength of God,
With the banner of Christ unfurled,
That the light of the glorious Gospel of truth
May shine throughout the world;
For we fight with sorrow and sin
To set their captives free,
That the earth may be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth
Unless God blesses the deed;
Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
Till God gives life to the seed;
Yet near and nearer draws the time,
The time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled
With the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.

[anna274]

in song

ONLY TO KNOW   Young, 1901

Only to know that the path I tread
Is the path marked out for me;
That the way, though thorny, rough and steep,
Will lead me nearer to Thee!
Nearer to Thee! nearer to Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, to Thee!
Only to know that the path I tread
Is bringing me nearer to Thee!


Only to know when the day is passed,
As the evening shadows come,
That its trials and cares have proved, indeed,
A "day's march nearer home!"
Nearer my home! nearer my home!
Nearer my beautiful home!
Only to kinow that each fast fleeting day
Is bringing me nearer home!


Only to know that the cross I see,
Is the cross of Calvary,
On which the world's Redeemer died,
To purchase life for all!
Only to know that Thy death on the cross
Brings light and life to all!


Only to know His peace within--
My will to His resigned;
Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
And make me wholly Thine!
Wholly Thine! wholly Thine!
Now and forever Thine!
Fill me with love and peace divine,
And make me wholly Thine!

[anna274]

in song


DAY AFTER DAY I SOUGHT THE LORD  Hare, 1839

Day after day I sought the Lord,
And waited patiently;
Until He bent down from His throne,
And hearkened to my cry.

He drew me from the fearful pit,
And from the miry clay;
He placed my feet upon a rock,
And led me in His way.

He taught my soul a new-made song,
A song of holy praise,
All they who see these things, with fear
Their hopes to God shall raise.

Most blessed is the man whose hope
Upon the Lord relies;
Who follows not the proud, nor those
That turn aside to lies.

O Lord, what wonders hast Thou wrought,
All number far above!
THY THOUGHTS TO US-WARD OVERFLOW
WITH MERCY, GRACE, AND LOVE.

Show forth Thy mercy, gracious Lord;
O take it not away!
Thy loving kindness and Thy truth,
Let them be still my stay.

For countless sorrows hem me round;
And my iniquities
So hold me fast, and drag me down,
I cannot raise my eyes.

My hairs in number they surpass;
Hence is my heart dismayed;
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to rescue me!
O hasten to my aid.

Let those who seek Thee faithfully
In peace and joy abide;
Let those who love Thy grace still say,
"The Lord be magnified."

Poor am I, and in need; yet God
Care of my soul doth take.
Thou art my help; my Savior Thou;
Lord, no long tarrying make.

[anna274]

in song


GOD IS THE REFUGE OF HIS SAINTS  Watts, 1719

God is the refuge of His saints,
When storms of sharp distress invade;
Ere we can offer our complaints,
Behold Him present with His aid.

...

There is a stream, whose gentle flow
Supplies the city of our God,
Life, love, and joy, still guiding through,
And watering our divine abode.

That sacred stream - THY HOLY WORD --
That all our raging fear controls;
Sweet peace Thy promises afford,
And give new strength to fainting souls.

Zion enjoys her Monarch's love,
Secure against a threatening hour;
Nor can her firm foundations move,
Built on His truth, and armed with power.