Attempting to summarise scripture teaching in brief verse
They run away and shake a fist.
They do not want him to exist.
[not understanding him aright,
– deficiency of knowledge, sight.]
But when they see him come, one day,
they’ll realise they can’t run away,
or hide, and wish they had come near
before, repentantly, for grace
and welcome, when they need not fear,
only submit, and listen, learn,
so that with joy they’d see his face.
He clearly said that none can know
the hour, or day, or date
when he will come again, return,
but we should work and wait,
alert and ready, while he’s sending
word throughout the world of grace
and that evil’s end’s impending,
– then we’ll see him face to face.
(Matthew 24:42)
One had had a busy life that satisfied,
laboured, service useful, with no pride;
patient now, enduring illness, weak’ning frame,
with forebearance, waiting joy to come.
One had struggled on, no sense of great fulfilment,
persevered and helped, with no resentment;
suddenly, a special task when hair was grey,
’til he dropped ‘in harness’, one good day.
One sought only pleasure, pleasure rarely came,
weary, feeling bitterness, not shame.
other people he accused of lacking care, –
he’d shown little effort love to share.
One such prodigal awoke to sense one day –
saw his emptiness, and turned away,
left his sterile self-sufficiency, and found
grace, now glad in good works to abound.
This earth was perfect, now it’s flawed,
perfection soon will be restored,
but now uncertain are the days,
and troubles rise in many ways,
so we must turn our eyes upon
him who can help, neglected One;
instead of anger for what’s come,
no longer help and mercy shun,
for soon he will take death away –
we need to pray before that day
to him who is a King who can
forgive and rescue mortal man.
The darkness could not quench the light,
which brightly shone and pierced the night;
though Herod tried, and those who hate,
who wanted to eradicate
the inconvenient light disclosing
truth and right, and wrong exposing;
and Satan many times has tried
to snuff the light out, truth to hide,
so evil, misery could reign,
and God’s escape-route lie unseen.
The gospel light was not extinguished,
evil’s attacks will soon be finished.
An enemy of what is right,
full of deceit, and tricks to turn,
distract one drawn to truth and light,
pervert God’s righteous ways with scorn.
God’s hand could stop him in his track;
convert the one confused, and lead, –
from foolish lies he drew him back,
to want to hear God’s Word and heed.
Matthew 9:36-38
Harassed by the daily round,
helpless – no real respite found;
frail and wandering, foolish sheep,
no kind King to care and keep.
Jesus saw their desperate need,
felt compassion, deeply stirred.
Will you pray and intercede,
that they hear salvation’s Word?
Deuteronomy 5:22
Proclaimed by God in a voice so loud
to the whole assembly there, –
on the mountain out of the fire and cloud
and he added nothing more.
Mighty LORD their God who brought them out,
out of Egypt’s slavery:
He is holy, holy, holy and he gives
perfect law of liberty.
This almighty God – has he rescued me
from the slavery of sin?
As I live each day, breathe and talk & see
do I praise creation’s King?
LORD, Jehovah God, true and infinite, –
whose position is supreme.
Who can stand before all his glory bright?
Jesus Christ came to redeem.
No deserving of such a plan of grace,
bringing mercy to mankind,
If he had not shown us his holiness,
to our plight we would be blind.
We have broken all these commandments ten –
they reveal our hearts’ deep sins.
Jesus Christ has kept every one of them, –
and redemptive grace he brings.
So through faith in Christ, gift of righteousness
comes to all who will believe.
be convicted of your foolishness,
fear him and grace receive.
Tune: 10 7 10 7+ eg Grace Divine by W H Doane
(Acts 4:10-17)
How hard to admit that you may be wrong
in the claims that you’ve lived by and held so long,
and fairly examine a reasoned case
for things you don’t really now want to embrace.
For the issue is not whether or not it is true,
but would it mean change in the things that you do.
How beautiful the feet which bring
good news of peace with God, the King;
and preachers gifted from above
are tokens of the Father’s love.
The harvest needs such labourers sent
by God to teach men to repent,
wield sword-like Word, convict of sin,
and news of Jesus Christ to bring.
God’s people need to learn, and grow
in righteousness, God’s wisdom know;
be fed on Christ, the living Bread,
and in their Bible study led.
So pray that Christ his gifts will give,
equip his church to brightly live,
shine forth with light to those around,
in love and purity abound.
Tune: LM eg Herongate (English Traditional Melody arr B Croft)
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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