Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense secure. [Taken from the hymn lyrics of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”]
From Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was an English pastor, Christian theologian, and prolific writer of hymns. He produced lyrics for over 750 hymns.
From Nehemiah 8:9: “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.”
Journey flowing with peace
Tasting God’s blessed Word
Faith’s truth shall never cease
Sending His grace, freshly stirred
Spirit lifts up God’s voice
Rising with morning sun
Trust’s blessed, hopeful choice
Delivering through His Son
Scripture filled with God’s law
Teaching with righteous breath
Hope grows, never withdraw
Bringing light, defeating death
Forgiveness floods each heart
Raising man’s salvation
Joy’s beloved restart
Praising faith’s new foundation
Unity found in Christ
Shepherding hope-filled flock
Debts paid, blood sacrificed
Grasping mercy’s steadfast rock
From Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
From Psalm 30:4-5: “Sing praises to the Lord, O you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Trials of darkness
Arriving today
Feeling faith challenged
Hope slipping away
Another mountain
Blocking path of peace
Taking Father’s road
Trust builds, piece by piece
Truth comes each sunrise
Breathing with His love
Delivering hope
Joy fed from above
Heart’s rainbow brightens
Finding peace from light
Refilling faith’s cup
Mercy taking flight
Father’s promised grace
Gathering each crumb
Leading to Jesus
Tomorrow shall come
From Psalm 30:11-12: “You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
From Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Climbing faith’s gentle mountain
Every step blessed by God
Praising Him at all times
Life’s outlook no longer flawed
Seeking Spirit’s faithful light
Answers received from God
Bringing righteousness home
Love shatters evil’s facade
Escaping tomorrow’s fears
Never alone with God
Trusting His sacred Word
Hope’s frozen landscape now thawed
Feelings of loneliness cease
Heart warmed with love of God
Saving self from darkness
Goodness walks upon fresh sod
Turning to heaven above
Eyes now focused on God
Hearing faithful Spirit
Redemption forever shod
Finding joy on His mountain
Peace fulfills hope in God
Walking amongst faith’s saints
Shepherd guides with staff and rod
From Psalm 34:22: “The Lord redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”
The more you make the choice to live above your feelings, to trust God instead of what you may feel like doing, the stronger your faith becomes.
From Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”
Tim Tebow (born 1987) is an American Christian. While his athletic accomplishments in football are well-documented, he continues to share his witness of faith through speaking and writing.
Light
Overcoming darkness
No longer hurting
Binding up each wound
Jesus
Landscape’s
Gentle breeze
Spirit’s encouraging breath
Trusting each righteous whisper
Peace
Sunrise
Trust always
Calming journey’s storms
Navigation welcomes God’s steering
Deliverance
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Waiting hope, in darkness
World absent of peace
When will joy truly arrive?
Faith’s brokenness must cease
Trusting God without fear
His comfort coming
Joy draws salvation’s water
Messiah forthcoming
Leading to Bethlehem
Hope shall be restored
Peace overflowing with joy
Heaven’s angels onboard
Praising with humble hearts
God’s gentleness seeks
Joy’s rejoicing voices sing
Shepherd’s emotions speak
Proclaiming hope’s presence
Repentance brings peace
Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy
Love opens heaven’s lease
From Isaiah 12:5-6: “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
World’s hopeful emotions
Searching for inner peace
In midst of life’s struggles
When will this darkness cease?
Peace waits for Messiah
Unlocking hopeful light
Goodwill comes upon man
Bethlehem’s star beams bright
Hope fills faithful journey
Waiting for Father’s Son
Shall be called Prince of Peace
Darkness cannot outrun
Through precious, promised child
Blessing all with His peace
Emmanuel comes near
Hope renewed through faith’s lease
Father’s steadfast vision
Sending peace upon earth
Man called to trust His plan
Wilderness finds hope’s berth
This poem’s hymn selection comes from “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” Finding inspiration from Luke 2:14, American pastor, Edmund H. Sears, wrote these beloved lyrics in 1849.
The more impossible the situation, the greater God accomplishes His work.
From Matthew 19:26: “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.'”
Witnessing
Father’s creation
Every river straightened
Flowing with His grace
Peace
Trusting
Father’s teachings
Scripture lies open
Heart gathering His wisdom
Faith
Praising
Father’s light
Given clean slate
Forgiveness carries burdens away
Hope
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