Attempting to summarise scripture teaching in brief verse
Matthew 18:21-35
Massively in debt: we’ve squandered
so much, and abused
grace, and negligently wandered,
– gifts and skills misused.
We can’t pay what’s owing, fully,
but by faith we know
debt is cancelled, – all our folly,
everything we owe.
And we need to be forgiving,
bitterness must cease;
those who harbour grudges, brooding,
cannot find God’s peace.
The ark to hold the words of law
was covered by the mercy seat.
Jehovah must all sin abhor,
– can love and justice ever meet?
Our God triune a plan agreed,
the covenant to meet man’s need.
Each year the blood was sprinkled there,
shed life of sacrifice was shown,
and pointed forward to prepare
for One whose life-blood could atone.
Exquisite grace: our Saviour came,
with righteousness to cover shame.
The veil was torn when Jesus died;
he entered heaven, most holy place;
now sinners can be justified,
and reconciled to God by grace:
propitiating blood supplied, –
the law’s demands all satisfied.
Receive this mercy, come to pray,
drink of such grace, rejoice, adore,
delight in freedom to obey,
enjoy his presence evermore.
The Lord whose mercies can be known,
invites us to approach his throne.
Tune: 88 88 88 ‘Solid Rock’ by W B Bradbury
Those heeding earth’s Creator stand
and flourish, under his command,
but those who boast rebellious thought
rejecting what he sent and taught
will have, he says, their day in court,
and like the chaff, the words they say
with them will quickly blow away,
their influence passing, short their day.
The great Creator sees and hears –
men’s cleverness to him appears
as folly, for their vision’s short –
imperfect knowledge, and flawed thought.
So who will listen? he informs
of wisdom that we need, and warns,
appeals, foretells, and offers grace
once purchased for the human race.
How grim that day with sin first known,
God’s righteousness and judgement shown,
the pair aware of loss and shame,
and knowing they deserved the blame.
Was there no glimmer in the gloom?
Only if God would save from doom.
God spoke: but mixed with justice see
a glimmer of the victory,
the saving plan he has – her seed
will one day crush the devil’s head.
A glimpse of light for faith to hold,
and wait until the plan unfold.
God showed inadequate their cover
for shame: sewn leaves of their endeavour.
Guilt called for death, – God would supply
a substitute instead to die.
A glimpse …
Did they believe? It seems they did,
and trusted him from whom they’d hid, –
though long the wait for full fulfilment,
they tasted grace in midst of judgement.
The glimmer would one day be bright,
for Christ himself will banish night.
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 