Attempting to summarise scripture teaching in brief verse
Adopted and redeemed,
welcomed and embraced,
justified, forgiven –
salvation’s facets traced.
His Spirit will comfort us
through life in this place,
and Christ soon will come for us:
high purpose of grace.
Sanctified, instructed,
chastened and preserved,
guarded and protected,
serving as we’re served.
Jesus died upon a cross.
Why? What for? for who? for us
we had nothing to commend,
no desire to be God’s friend;
sinners unendearing, no
power to change, to better do –
but his love, great grace procured
through this death that he endured.
He who sent his Son for this,
cleanses, draws, receive his kiss –
he’s then able to preserve,
hold us when we slip or swerve,
mould, prepare us for his heaven –
grace continues when once given.
Is our love like his for us
– reaching out to others thus?
(Tune: 77 77D)
Mark 10: 21–23
Who alone has perfect goodness?
Which commandments have I kept?
All the ten quite fully, always?
Is there anything that’s crept
in my heart to take affection,
and my trust for life’s protection?
Jesus knows and speaks to save us.
He will not speak words of ease
that would leave us as he found us,
– he speaks truth that may not please.
If we would have life eternal,
let Christ view our thoughts internal.
High the cost, but grace is greater:
nothing wasted, heaven won.
All we own is now the Saviour’s
– if we’ve riches, if we’ve none –
he alone can wisely guide us,
and with all we need, provide us.
Though at first we may not like it,
yet we may find grace to turn,
and accept the Word that touched us
‘on the raw’, and made us squirm,
fight, rebel, or slink away,
loving self too much to pray.
If we would escape from danger,
we must pick the idols from there.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13,14
Bondage in the darkness, under Satan’s sway,
slavery, dominion; – no desire to pray:
gospel light unseen, and all that’s for our good:
blinded to our blindness: truth misunderstood.
Under Satan’s thumb; ‘at peace’ we thought, deceived.
Satan cannot love; his malice unperceived.
No co-operation with the rescue-bid:
willing to remain, content with all we did.
Brought into the kingdom of the Son he loves;
finding freedom, for new sight, delights he gives.
And this freedom is a willing bondage to
what we now appreciate, and want to do!
Tune: 65 65 D
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.
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.
What the wicked dreads will overtake him;
what the righteous desire will be granted. Proverbs 10:24 (also vv.25, 27-30)
All wickedness brings secret dread;
though perpetrators seem content,
can’t see with certainty ahead –
exposure or revenge prevent.
Their hopes will one day come to naught.
God’s ways, and laws which will protect
those who his righteousness have sought,
will ruin those who Him reject.
But those who seek his righteousness,
desire what’s good, in patience wait;
they will receive, – God’s faithfulness
will grant their blessed eternal state.
How wonderful when dread is gone,
replaced with wholesome, good desires:
a wicked heart transformed by God
and now to righteousness aspires.
“Replace those clothes so soiled and worn,
with rich, clean garments that adorn.
So famished, that you pigswill crave:
the Prince adopts you! and will save
from such a life, that Monster’s slave,
by ‘friends’ impoverished, and bled,
who later disappeared, well fed;
the riches you will now enjoy
no rust or scoundrel can destroy;
receive a strength secure, and ‘eyes’
that understand, and grow more wise,
a ‘Husband’ trustworthy and kind,
brings satisfaction, peace of mind,
and helps you use your talents, gifts;
– you’re loved, and liked (your spirit lifts),
respected, thanked, fulfilled, worth while
your life and labours, no more vile;
a sense of purpose and a view
that stretches through the troubles true,
and knows that happiness will yet
remain supporting, and will get
still better, fuller, richer, sweeter,
and truly be ‘for ever after’ ”.
A spirit of the Great King’s court,
had mutinied, sedition taught,
and sought to cause much trouble, fear,
amongst the subjects; he would steer
them from the rule and care so kind,
and make them of rebellious mind;
but soon they found their master new
a harsh slave-driver, monster too
– the only way they could be freed
was if the King’s own Son agreed
to take him on, fight to the death,
– the guilty then could have new birth,
be freed from this tyrannical rule,
and realise they’d each been a fool,
and glad to find they could return,
receive acquittal none could earn
and what is more, the battle won,
he lives forever, their Saviour-Son.
(Jonah 1:3,17; 2:1,2,9,10 & 3:1)
If I’m not honest when I fail,
let down my God, I may
cause some to suffer as I hide:
I should seek God and pray.
For salvation can only come from
the Lord and Saviour, and he commanded
the fish that he provided,
to bring Jonah to dry land.
God takes his chosen time to teach,
through darkness he may lead
in love, that I may hear his voice
and feel my guilt and need.
In quietness, distractions gone,
He shows I’m small and weak,
and what a privilege if he
wants me for him to speak.
If God delivers and forgives,
commissions you once more,
don’t take it easy, or presume,
– his Word do not ignore.
Tune: I know whom I have believed.
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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