THE DEAR DELIVERER
Oh God, did you set up
My deliverance decades ago?
Oh Father, did you set the stars
To turn in my favor?
You always come through
No matter what the challenge
Or fear.
You help and deliver,
Free and clear.
To my heart and my soul,
You are dear.
***
(c)Sandra Johnson/Draw Nigh To Hope
Image: Google
WONDERFUL WORDS
I study your Word.
It's lovely to me,
Though sharp and cutting and true.
It brightens my path
And straightens it too.
It turns my gray skies to blue.
***
(c)Sandra Johnson/Draw Nigh To Hope
EVERLASTING NATURE
I have beautiful mornings with you.
As I sit quietly and watch,
Nature abounds.
For you and nature are one.
You created the beauty of nature
And it is everlasting and eternal.
It comes from you
And never ends.
My love for nature will never end.
One day I will enjoy it upon
The shores and hills and fields
Of a pristine Heaven and earth,
The way you meant it to be.
Everlasting nature.
Everlasting God.
Everlasting joy.
***
(c)Sandra Johnson/Draw Nigh To Hope
Imagine you’re taking a trip. You arrive at the airport check-in desk, but you’re the only passenger there. Security's a ghost town. So is your gate. You board an empty airplane and meet no one the entire flight. No captain. No stewardess. No one.
In many ways, this is death. We enter this world alone, and we leave just the same. But what if the person you loved most of all was eagerly waiting for you once you disembarked the flight? That ought to warm your heart and stop the trip from feeling like a Twilight Zone episode, right? Well, Jesus promises just this!
The joy of hoping on heaven purifies the lives of the redeemed. Paul says: If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1). Paul toiled tirelessly for the Church’s sanctification because he knew heavenly eyes are the best shield against sin.
We may be positionally righteous on this side of heaven, but none of us are practically perfect until we go to be with the Lord. We must look ahead to the sweet hereafter. And when our day of departure comes, may we share Paul’s desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better (Phil. 1:23). Amen and amen. Come Lord Jesus.
***
Edwin O'Hanlon
My mission now is to rejoice in Christ, explore Scripture, and magnify its loving author by publishing weekly articles at www.fromcrosstocrown.com
I LOVE YOUR WORD
I love your Word.
What can I say
About the fears
It does allay.
Your Word is sweet,
A joy to me.
I eat and drink
Your Word with glee!
***
(c)Sandra Johnson/Draw Nigh To Hope