Category: Trials & Perseverance

on Psalm 46 especially verses 10,11

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“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. on Psalm 46 especially verses 10,11

Kingdoms fall, and despots rise,
men do evil, truth despise;
uproar, angry storm and war,
lives are pressured more and more.

God is at his people’s side,
in their hearts he will abide.

His the victory will be,
one day all will bow the knee,
violence halted, wars will cease,
earth will know a reign of peace.

God is at his people’s side,
in their hearts he will abide.

Don’t forget that he is God:
Christians – he will keep his Word,
rebels – while it’s not too late
stop! repent, his Day await.

God is at his people’s side,
in their hearts he will abide.

Tune: 77 77 77 eg tunes of ‘Rock of ages’ and ‘When this passing world is done’

Rememberings

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(cf Psalm 137)

Remembering sorrows, trials, grief
with no pretence of false relief;
the hurt not buried, brought to him
who healing help can truly bring.

I will remember Christ my Lord,
rejoicing in his saving Word.

Remember how conviction stirred
when gospel truth with faith you heard,
now love the place of his embrace,
taking delight in all his grace.

Remember evil is so vile,
God will bring justice, therefore while
we live, we warn to flee, repent
before the punishment is sent.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg Melita by J B Dykes  (tune of ‘Eternal Father stron to save’)or Surrey by Henry Carey

The Journey

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Journeying onwards with vision of glory,
steadily forward through thickets and thorns,
clasping the hand that can handle my worry,
– Christ is supporting, of dangers he warns.
Journey on earth while enjoying its beauty,
journey on earth while enduring its pain,
journey of struggles, and failings in duty,
strengthened, uplifted again and again.

Journeying onwards to life of perfection,
where there will be no more ugly decay,
illness, or evil, or dissatisfaction:
Jesus my Guardian, my Guide, and the Way.

Journeying daily, God’s Spirit indwelling,
blessing, preserving, and teaching his Word;
fellowship constant – a foretaste, foretelling
end of the journey, the presence of God.
Tune: 11 10 11 10 D eg El Noi de la Mare (16th C Catalan carol arr R B Campen)
or Faithfulness by W Runyan, tune of ‘Great is thy faithfulness’

David learns, and perseveres

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King David, choice of God for ruling,
his people leading many years;
composer, singing psalms appealing,
revealing faith he’d learnt in tears.

Whatever causes of his turmoil:
his sin, his troubles, scheming Saul:
however low, he’d still in prayer toil,
and on the Lord of promise call.

For laying hold of all God’s promised, –
see: that’s how David struggled up, –
a way of grace his God had furnished, –
the Lord himself would drink the cup.

And all his failings he acknowledged;
for his repentance was sincere.
He trusted, pleaded: God provided
assurance, peace, removed his fear.

Through faith the mouths of lions …

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Hebrews 11:33–39
Through faith the mouths of lions
were shut, and fiery flame
was quenched; – the God all able
brought honour to his name.

Through faith, God’s people suffered
in persecution’s hour;
bore flogging, jeers and, torture
by Jesu’s grace and power.

Through faith some had escape from
the sword, but others bore
such death – their resurrection
ahead, by faith they saw.

The early Christian martyrs,
and Daniel, all were blest;
– the God of scripture trusted:
he helped them through the test.

In trials, troubles, turmoils …

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In trials, troubles, turmoils,
I wait upon the LORD,
expecting he’ll accomplish
his wise and promised Word.

He only is the Master,
the wise and able King,
I wait for him to rescue,
his joy and help to bring.

I’m waiting and I’m hoping,
assured, his grace expect;
his Word is all I lean on,
and other trusts reject.

Longing for home

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This life can seem a wilderness,
with Zion far ahead, –
by grace, like manna, Christ can bless –
he is the living Bread.

Though tasting much of heavenly grace
upon this pilgrim way,
yet we should long to see Christ’s face, –
he will return one day.

He wants his children to press on
and serve while living here,
empowered and strengthened, and to long
that soon he will draw near.

His coming may seem long-delayed,
we may not think it near;
but soon his power will be displayed,
his enemies will fear.     (CM)

Inconveniences

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1 Corinthians 10:24 Romans 14:19 Philippians 2:4
If we look around us, feeling quite depressed,
feeling we’re hard done by, worse off than the rest;
if we stop to ponder, think more carefully, –
we will see that everyone needs sympathy.
Thank the LORD for all he’s given,
trust him, shelter in his care, and wait for heaven;
pray, submit, with joy believe,
’Til we’re free from troubles, we can grace receive.

If we look around us, feeling very cross,
– inconvenienced often, caused financial loss,
yet ourselves not guiltless, – better turn and do
unto others what you’d have them do to you.

When we look around us, do we look to see
‘Who could do with help?’ and ‘Has God work for me?’
Are we living solely for our own desires?
Is it joy to know and do what Christ requires?

Tune: 65 65 65 65 + Swanwick by William T Meyer (tune of ‘There’s a work for Jesus’)

Sanctification and Discipline

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Hebrews 12:5–11
If God’s Holy Spirit has made you an heir,
a son by adoption, Christ’s glory to share;
if justified, welcomed, forgiven all sin, –
your sanctification by God will begin.
Glorious work! Glorious work! God’s omnipotent plan!
Glorious work! Glorious work! God redeems sinful man!
So do not lose heart when God’s dealings seem hard,
we would not be sons if his training were spared.

It truly you’re his, then chastisement expect,
for God must instruct and rebuke to perfect;
and such will be painful, the purging is sore,
but leaves us more gentle and meek than before.

God is not inflicting the due for our sins,
for Christ paid that penalty – mercy he brings;
but God will correct, and will train, and will test,
preparing a people to enter his rest.

And do not be cross, do not criticize God,
whenever you wince at the sting of his rod,
for wise is his providence, perfect his plan,
and he will complete what in us he began.

And learn what he’s teaching, and pray, and submit;
you must be made ready for heaven, made fit;
you’ll grow through affliction your Father provides,
accept what his love and his wisdom decides.

But still we can pray that he give what we need
to serve him, and witness; may ask to be freed
from pain that would hinder, or things that prevent
our efforts to tackle the work we’ve been sent.
Tune: 11 11 11 11 +  (‘To God be the glory’ by W H Doane)

worth suffering for . . .

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A gospel worth suffering for,  A Lord worth suffering for
A people worth suffering for,  A hope worth suffering for
Colossians 1:24
Christ suffered to save us –  his death on the cross –
but all through his life here he suffered much loss,
and hardship and slander, to bring us his Word; –
and those he commissioned, like hardships incurred.

They too suffered gladly in service and love,
like Jesus, their Master, bore insults, and gave
their time, strength and money this good news to bring
to men, of the mercy and call of the King.

Rejoicing in sufferings for Him who has saved
and brought us to blessing – how dearly he loved.
Rejoicing in sufferings for brethren, – we know
those sufferings must mould us, as heavenward we go!
Tune: 11 11 11 11