Of Assurance and Absolutes

Beneath the dawn’s unfolding

Or twilight’s molten skies

Within our having-holding

A sweet assurance lies

And though the laughing color

Of youth or summer’s rose

Surrenders virgin valor

To history’s repose

We bear with earnest yearning

Our portion of life’s cross

For there is no returning

To fields of what once was

Nor is there any portal

No subterfuge or man

Above Heaven’s Immortal

To void redemption’s plan

The Rock of our Salvation

No threat or scheme can dim

There is no condemnation

To those who are in Him

And though the mocking demons

His gospel truths distort

Nothing spirit or human

Can Love’s endurance thwart

The increase of His mercy

And immutable grace

Exceeds hate’s vilest curses

Or despair’s darkest place

And through the dawn-dusk orbit

Of brief mortality

Nothing rescinds His promise

To those who will believe

Belief and repentance

There are no substitutes

Or half-hearted atonement

For mercy’s absolutes

Belief and repentance

Crushes the Serpent’s head

And seals a rich inheritance

Beyond death’s vale of dread

And though designs of darkness

May distract or deceive

There is no condemnation

To those who will believe

Belief and repentance

There are no substitutes

Forgiveness, Hope and Heaven

Are Mercy’s absolutes

© Janet Martin

 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.  2Cor.6:2

Yesterday morning at our worship service we looked at 1 Peter chapter 1. The question was asked; what difference has Jesus made in our day-to-day life as we first considered the Living Hope we have through the risen Christ and then our exhortation to holy living! I have been pondering this question since then and I believe that until we truly believe and only if we truly believe, will it make any difference and ALL the difference! Living Hope gives purpose to everything we do!