“Help, Lord!”

It seems at first a hopeless cry, ascending from a soul in deep despair—

Yet, ‘tis an act of faith, from one who knows that only God can reach him there!

When rising from the end of self and bringing with it nothing but its need,

It is a cry that God, in love, by His own Word obliged Himself to heed.

O soul, when earnestly, with humble heart, these desperate words you say,

Then know the answer to your need is only just a still, small voice away!

For God will surely speak a word, the miracle of strengthening grace to start,

And He will send His Comforter to teach His Word’s sweet meaning to your heart.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Isaiah 59:1

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your

hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to

mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:6-10

Fences

His heart was young, and he was free! He went where he desired!

He did whate’er he pleased, and was by all his friends admired!

He ran about without a thought, without a single care,

Exploring all life had to give, and taking what was there.

One day as he was running free, with nothing on his mind,

He ran headlong right off a cliff and left the ground behind!

He had no clue the cliff was there— it dropped away so fast—

And not a soul had built a fence along the way he’d passed.

For hours he lay in agony upon the ground below.

He knew no one would come, for how would anybody know?

He’d lived so independently, and none had dared to say,

“Please tell me where you’re going to go, and what you’ll do today.”

The awful pain his body felt was nothing when compared

With how his heart was aching, just from knowing no one cared.

It matters not what happened next— when all was said and done,

He’d traded life-long pain and loss for several hours of “fun.”

This tale, of course, is fanciful—and yet, it has some truth,

For many people bear the scars of what they did in youth.

If only they had known the things they clearly see today!

If only someone else who knew had helped them find their way!

Next time you feel resentful over rules and walls you face,

Remember, please, that when you’re old, the past you can’t erase.

Be glad somebody questions where you’ll go and what you’ll do—

It just means someone cares enough to build a fence for you!

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Proverbs 10:17

. . .I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days. Deuteronomy 30:19-20

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle . . . .

Psalm 32:8-9

Just a Broken Teacup

I inherited a teacup when my Grandma passed away,

A reminder of the love she showed to others day by day.

It was such a pretty teacup, as it sat upon the ledge,

So I picked it up to use it—and it dropped right off the edge!

As it lay before me shattered, so my heart was shattered too,

For its value was far deeper than its pretty shape and hue.

As I stooped to get the pieces, in my mind there came a plan--

I would put them back together till the cup was whole again!

One by one I glued and held them--what precision it required!

But I worked on with devotion till the daylight had expired.

Then I set the mended teacup on the shelf where it had been

Knowing well that it could never hold a cup of tea again.

Yet its value had not lessened! And I recognized anew

That I valued what it stood for more than what the cup could do.

All at once I saw the pieces of my useless, broken self

Mirrored clearly in the teacup sitting there upon the shelf!

Sin had brought my life to ruin, left me shattered and alone,

Yet my Saviour picked the pieces up and claimed them for His own!

With His love and His forgiveness Jesus made my spirit whole,

Then with gentleness and patience He restored my shattered soul.

Yes, my life still bears its scars, just like my teacup on the shelf,

Yet He gave His very life-blood to redeem me to Himself.

Now my heart is filled with wonder every time my cup I see

For it is a sweet reminder that my Saviour values me!

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.

Psalm 130:1-6

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 102:1-4, 8, 10-12

IT TAKES ONE

There’s a wise but simple saying: “It takes two to make a fight.”

It takes two who blame the other, neither seeking to do right.

It takes two who point at something that the other’s said or done,

As if that misdeed would justify a misdeed of his own.

It takes two who live as though they think a wrong can be excused,

If the other of a greater wrong than his can be accused.

It takes two who are determined to retaliate “in kind,”

Giving evil back for evil, seeking every fault to find.

It takes two who have forgotten that there is a Godly way

To respond to the unkindness in what others do and say.

It takes two who would forget that peace with God is what’s at stake,

Two who’d rather make a point than pass it by for Jesus’ sake.

Yet there’s hope for two such people, if they take God at His Word—

For although a fight takes two, it takes just one to seek the Lord!

It takes one who can remember how he knelt at Jesus’ feet

And was granted full forgiveness through God’s grace and mercy sweet.

It takes one who will acknowledge that the Lord has faithful been

In the face of his own constant, selfish, oft-repeated sin.

It takes one who sees the other’s faults, then turns his eyes above,

With an earnest prayer that his response will show God’s changeless love.

It takes one who will determine that there’s nothing that is worth

Losing fellowship with Jesus Christ, the dearest friend on earth.

It takes one who dies to all desires except to do what’s right—

If there’s one who seeks the Lord, there won’t be two to make a fight!

May God’s gracious love encourage and inspire you!

Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:21-35

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

In the Conqueror’s Name

Midst the ripened harvest, I heard Jesus say,

“Who will be my reapers? Who will go today?”

Loving well my Saviour— loving, too, the lost—

To His call I yielded, counting not the cost.

Oh, the joy of serving, reaching precious souls,

Blissfully fulfilling all my dreams and goals!

Suddenly a foe loomed fiercely overhead!

Visions of the conquest filled my soul with dread:

Merciless attacker, swinging hatred’s sword,

Baselessly accusing those who love the Lord!

How could I, a reaper (more sincere than brave),

Hope to fight the weapons ruthless foes would have?

Drained of strength and courage, I sought shelter near.

Helplessly I cowered, paralyzed by fear.

Then the Lord of Harvest to my side drew nigh—

Dressed in Captain’s armour, sword upon His thigh!

“Do not fear their threat’nings—Am I not THE LORD?

They who know Me trust Me. Hide, then, in My Word!

Through the fiercest battle, in this truth abide:

Theirs is certain vict’ry who are on My side!”

Shall I like a starling seek a safe retreat?

Shall I close my heart to fields of ripened wheat?

God is in His temple! Let not fear remain!

I go forth to harvest in the Conqueror’s Name!

May God give you courage and strength as you labor for Him!

In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” Psalm 11:1- 4a

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 27:12-13, 28:7a

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

Looking Unto Jesus

Living life upon this earth is much like running in a race;

But the finish line is hidden—all we see is Jesus’ face.

He has run this race before us—His was filled with pain and loss,

And it led Him straight to Calv’ry, where He died upon the cross!

Why should He endure such sorrow? Why should Jesus suffer thus?

He was purchasing a people, and His heart was seeing us!

But the end was the beginning, for the death that He endured

The defeat of death accomplished and the victory secured!

When His earthly race was finished, He sat down on Heaven’s throne,

Where He bids us come and join Him, for He bought us for His own.

How can we expect to follow when the path is rough and dim?

Why, we’re looking unto Jesus, and our hearts are seeing Him!

So throughout our lives we follow, with our gaze fixed on the Son,

Knowing we’re assured the vict’ry in a race already won!

There’s no burden that’s too heavy; there’s no pathway that’s too steep;

For His hand will never lead us where His power cannot keep.

Need we any other vision than our blessed Saviour’s face?

He’s our comfort! He’s our anchor! He’s our source of strength and grace!

When our earthly race is ending and our finish line draws near,

As we slip into the shadows, will this vision disappear?

As we leave behind this body and our earthly comforts fade

Shall we also lose the mooring post by which our hearts were stayed?

Ah, with joy we shall discover, as Heav’n’s portals open wide,

We’re still looking unto Jesus—we’re just on His other side!

May you find grace and comfort for every need as you look unto Jesus!

Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:6-7, 16-18

Before the Lord

I stood before the Lord with all my questions and demands—

I thought He should explain to me the workings of His hands.

I felt I had a right to know where every path would end

And what would lie ahead for me beyond each hill and bend.

I wanted Him to give me peace by telling me the “why”

Of troubles that I faced and joys that seemed to pass me by.

I also didn’t think it fair, and clearly told Him so,

That others walked in pleasant paths where my feet could not go.

He listened very patiently until my speech was through,

Then gently said, “Now let Me ask some simple things of you:

“If you could see ahead, and know each joy and trial you’d face,

Would you possess the grace and strength, the future to embrace?

“If I should tell you all, from the beginning to the end,

What fraction could your finite wisdom truly comprehend?

And if the reasons for My acts before you were displayed,

How would you qualify to judge the choices I have made?

“If you could redirect the pow’r of Providence divine,

Would you prefer to rest upon your wisdom more than Mine?

If what I owe, against your debts to Me, we should compare,

What would you place upon your side to prove I’ve not been fair?”

My shame and sorrow grew with every searching word He said.

With burning heart, I dropped upon my knees and bowed my head.

My proud, complaining heart by awe and gratitude was stilled,

And as I saw His love for me, my heart with trust was filled.

So now I kneel before the Lord, receiving His command.

I need not see what lies ahead; I need not understand.

Wherever I may go, whatever things in life I face,

There’s not a chance my needs will overdraw His boundless grace!

Nor is there any circumstance in which I cannot prove

The wonder of His all-sufficient wisdom, power, and love.

My joy can now be full in any circumstance, you see—

For all that I desire is that my Lord be seen in me!

May your knowledge of God give you strength to wait on Him in difficult times.

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:27-31

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counselor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 11:33 – 12:2

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Everlasting Arms

How glad I was that day! For on my journey I would soon embark!

My heart was confident; my peace was anchored in the God I’d proved:

I’d passed through many trials, but never had He failed to give me strength.

And so with eager heart, I stepped out on the path that stretched ahead.

The day was warm and bright. The load I carried seemed no weight at all.

In every bird and flower, I saw a token of God’s love to me.

But as the day wore on, the sun concealed itself behind the clouds.

Then came the pelting rain, and wind that fought my every forward step.

The path, once wide and smooth, grew steep and narrow, full of rugged stones.

The darkness settled in, and I could scarcely see one step ahead.

The burden on my back increased in weight with every step I took.

And yet I felt no fear, for knowing that God’s grace would make me strong.

Then, suddenly, I felt the road beneath my stumbling feet give way!

As I began to fall, below me I beheld a cavern deep!

My load increased my fall, and yet I could not loose it from my back,

Nor could my grasping hands find vine or shrub upon the rocky slope!

Without a hope I plunged—I could not even raise a cry for help!

. . . And then I felt His arms! They were beneath me, lifting, holding fast.

My downward plunge had ceased, and I was being carried, safe, secure,

And e’en my heavy load was weighing, not on me, but on His strength.

How sweet it was to rest! To struggle not, nor even pray for strength,

But just to rest, and know that all the struggle now was His, not mine!

And now this peace I have--‘twas worth the awful terror of the fall--:

My strength will surely fail, but under me are Everlasting Arms!

In your time of trial, may you know the joy of being carried in His arms!

There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in His excellency on the sky. The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:26-27

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

“. . . the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.”

Genesis 49:24.

“. . . in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4

The orchestra played on, and all who heard were carried off in rapture sweet—
But none as sweet as mine! For in my hand the finest instrument I held!
As perfect as it was, I knew full well it made no sound apart from me!
And so, with every note, my heart and soul poured out and joined the symphony.

The song was fine, indeed! And yet the thrill I felt within my deepest soul
Was not the lifeless thrill of splendid notes inscripted there upon the page.
Oh, no! The thrill was this: to gaze upon the great conductor’s earnest face
And feel the passion there—for he, himself, the wondrous music had composed!

But, wait! With sinking heart, I saw the master’s wand had bid me cease to play!
And it was true enough, for there upon my page of notes appeared a rest!
So useless now I felt, and settled sadly back into my player’s chair
While all the rest played on—a song complete, without me or the notes I played!

And there I might have stayed, had not the great conductor’s eyes sought out my own.
Within his eyes I read a sense of peace, of purpose, and of perfect calm,
And yet an urgent look, as though to stir me from my doleful lethargy.
Instinctively, I roused and lifted up my instrument in readiness.

Then, suddenly, his wand reached forth and, for a moment, pointed straight at me!
And from his eyes I knew that on this beat my note must needs be clearly played!
‘Twas then my heart perceived: The exit and the entry both were wisely planned!
For, by the rest I took, one tender phrase was from another made unique!

How narrow I had been, to miss the whole and focus on my meager part!
The rest upon my page was crucial in the building of the glorious song!
And when I ceased to play, the absence of my notes, within the grander scheme,
Became the making of a song enhanced in beauty by diversity!

And thus I understood that, void of music as a rest may seem to be,
It serves a purpose clear: the making of the music as the master plans.
Oh, Lord, may I not fail to call to mind this simple lesson I have learned
And wait in patient faith when, on my page of life, Your hand has placed a rest!

May you find rest in the assurance of God’s good purpose in your life.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. –Psalm 27:13-14
And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. –Psalm 9:10
I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. –Psalm 16:8-9, 11
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. --Romans 8:28

My little ship sailed calmly on the sea, engulfed in stillness ‘neath a clear, blue sky.
My soul was lifted up in grateful praise for life, and love, and blessings from on high.
What wonder this, to sail beneath His flag, to launch my boat in service to the King!
Commissioned to my voyage by His Own hand, my heart with cheerful confidence could sing.

But suddenly the sun was hid from view, and dark, foreboding storm clouds filled the air.
Within an instant, warmth and light were gone, and icy winds replaced the breezes fair.
E’er long a fierce and raging storm arose, unleashing all its fury on my boat.
My tiny craft was tossed by crashing waves—I feared I could no longer stay afloat!

My heart with bitter, angry questions swelled; my prayer became a desperate demand:
Should one who serves the Lord of wind and waves receive such frightful treatment from His hand?
Should not His love ensure a voyage safe? Would He so careless be toward His own?
Was this my end, to perish in the sea, while sailing in the service of His throne?

Then one thin ray of light shot from above and gleamed upon an object lying near.
Why, ‘twas an anchor I’d forgot was there! Its very presence broke the grip of fear!
With all my strength I threw it overboard. I felt it holding fast and gripping sure—
In spite of raging winds and tossing waves, my little boat was steady and secure!

The anchor? It was just a simple word that Christ had spoken e’er I left the shore:
“My child,” He’d said, “Let’s get aboard the ship, for to the other side we must pass o’er.”
Before my journey’s done, more storms will come—no matter, for my journey’s end is clear!
Nor does my peace require a placid sea--His presence in my boat dispels my fear!

In the midst of this storm of life, may your soul remain steadfast in God.

And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. . . . And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? 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? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? --Mark 4:35-41

. . . God made promise to Abraham, . . . saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee . . . . Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . . . --Hebrews 6:13-14, 17-19