Freedom from dominion,
foolish frustration
of ignorant self-domination —
freed, relieved, the bands, and bonds
cracked, removed, relief, release,
delighful acceptance of Lord and Saviour.
Author: rhiannonshymns
It’s time to pray!
(cf 2 Chronicles 20:12)
No prayer without a sense of need,
a sense of weakness makes us plead,
in bafflement we intercede,
and truly pray.
Do you believe he’ll hear and care?
does he delight to answer prayer?
in every problem, anywhere,
be sure to pray.
And has he power and wisdom, skill
his Shepherd purpose to fulfil?
do we desire he’ll work his will,
and have we prayed?
Be sure to turn each need and fear
to Him, they all to him are dear,
and our appeal he wants to hear,
our child-like prayer.
We do not know what he will do,
in ways unseen by me and you,
so look to him to see things through,
but always pray.
Tune: 888 4 eg In Memoriam (‘By Christ redeemed, in Christ restored … Until he come’)
Advent Step 4) He will be called…
‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light … to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called …’ Isaiah 9:2-7 (and Matthew 4:14-16)
Those walking in darkness would see a great light,
Galilee would see the dawning from night,
a righteous Ruler would be born
freeing from oppression,
Wonderful Counsellor, perfect direction,
Mighty God, Sovereign with power
Everlasting Father, caring protection
Prince of Peace, peace in him, and in his kingdom,
eternally, righteously reigning.
Advent Step 3) Symbols
‘a Saviour has been born to you …’ (Luke 2:11)
‘Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29)
Who could be sufficient
human, perfect,
to bear the wages earned by all
who for mercy, pardon call – ?
animal death depicts the problem,
could not purchase human pardon,
underlined the heart condition
of guilt, defilement,
need of cleansing, substitution:
fulfilment by the One who’d come
God’s Messiah, Christ, eternal Son.
‘The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming.’ (Hebrews 10:1)
Advent Step 2) ‘But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah,…
Two and a half millenia ago
Christ’s coming was foretold,
that out of Bethlehem would come
a Ruler strong who’s from of old
from everlasting come to care,
to Shepherd those from all our sphere
who’ll be his flock, and follow, share
his peace, his majesty revere.
And so those wise who came from far
to find the newborn king, whose star
they’d seen, the prophet’s words were told,
– went on to Bethlehem with their gold.
‘But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small … out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler … whose origins are from of old , from ancient times. …shepherd his flock … he will be their peace’ Micah 5:2-5
The Great Flood
Catastrophic flooding, pouring, pushing,
40 days and nights still raining,
water underground emerging, rushing
sediment stirred up by crushing
rocks and soil and vegetation,
then engulfing
many creatures, fossilising
by pressured hardening
before there could be
damaging scavenging:
patterns petrified in stone:
footprints, feathers, bone;
Message had for long been known,
foretold to warn,
the refuge built, prepared,
but many chose to scorn,
refuse the offered ark;
such flood as this had been
would nevermore be seen
– the promise of the rainbow;
– but lesser floods may come and go,
and everyone of us face death,
but not this vast destruction of the earth;
so while we’ve breath,
we must not live as they did
in wickedness and violence,
rebelliousness, and malice,
corruption, misery, and lovelessness.
Be ready for the transient grave,
submissive to the pardoning God
who for eternity can save.
“On that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.” Genesis 7:11
Advent Step 1) Genesis 3:15
‘He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel’ Genesis 3:15
That Tempter with his scheme of hate
by human Son at coming date
would have his despot power crushed,
the cruel grip of his deceit,
and slavery – complete defeat.
Though their descendant would be hurt,
he would be Victor: trust, await.
Rebellion’s consequences brought
them trouble, sparked contrition;
decisive battle would be fought
bring glorious resolution;
immediately new life, relief,
but full escape from damage, grief
would come, eternal transformation,
when tidings glad have been proclaimed:
by some received, by some disdained.
Perceptive Providence
Matthew 10:30 John 10:28,29 Daniel 3:27
O Lord, my God, I think with awesome wonder
of how you govern all the earth, and reign;
and as a Shepherd mighty, kind and tender,
plan for each sheep – their path of life ordain.
For every hair is numbered by the Lord,
and not a hair escapes his care;
and every single trouble that we bear
is under sovereign, loving care.
And when I feel that no-one understands me,
or when I’m lonely, anxious or depressed,
the One who scans my flesh and thoughts commands me
to pray, and trust he’ll help through every test.
There’s joy in heaven whenever one, repentant,
returns – by Christ is rescued from the foe; –
bought by his blood, and now God’s care is constant
– protects and teaches everywhere they go.
Those three did not have even smell of burning
when from the fiery furnace they emerged;
– God’s power displayed to one so slow in learning,
their clothes weren’t scorched, and not a hair was singed!
Tune: 11 10 11 10 + How great Thou art (Swedish-Russian Melody arr Stuart K Hine)
Sharing
We have so much:
do we forget
to thank and share?
When things get tough,
we may give thought
to honest prayer.
A world to come that’s freed from greed,
and freed from every shortage, need:
Christ Jesus bought the access key
and offers it to you and me.
Trust him to-day,
and share and pray.
Perfect Rebuilds
He knew they’d crucify, destroy,
foretold he would arise,
his body gloriously rebuilt,
their accusations lies.
And when I realised how corrupt
was all my selfish thought,
I longed he would destroy, rebuild
to love as he had taught.
He’s promised soon he will destroy
this messed-up universe,
and make a world that’s full of joy,
released from evil’s curse.
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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