The Compensation of Time's Toll

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! 

What is your life? 

You are a mist that appears for a little while 

and then vanishes.
 

The compensation of time’s toll is more than we can see

The culmination of a goal beyond dawn’s destiny

The clock beneath our skin is winding down with ev’ry breath

And no one knows but He who put it there, how near is death

Our numbered days are like a little haze upon earth’s banks

Before we meet the Lord in horror’s tear or humble thanks

Salvation saves the soul; but first belief must break doubt’s bars

The merit of The Whole is not some splash among the stars

Where fantasy unfolds whatever outcome we prefer

The Word of God is Truth; there is but One Deliverer

And someday ev’ry knee will bow and ev’ry tongue confess

That Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords, He is our Righteousness

The good we do we could not, save for He who loves us so

The curse of sin is not something that we imagine, no

Ignorance screams its nonsense while wisdom cries in the streets

And keens sacred awareness for what ev’rybody meets

After this blip of Being that is but the trip toward

The Awesome, everlasting Supremacy of the Lord

This is no laughing matter, love; no matter what ‘they’ say

This life is like a little mist before it fades away

Then pray we do not underestimate Heaven or hell

Or the breadth of eternity that thought can never spell

The narrow way, the Only Way is fixed upon His Word

And does not lead astray the one whose hope is in the Lord

The destination of the Soul is all that really counts

The window-dressings of this world may dazzle with fine flounce

But there is not an ounce of worth in merchandised façade

This earth and all therein belongs to He who made it; God

Our basket of belongings that we prize with puffed out chest

Cannot survive death’s chilling knife or cheer the grave’s cold nest

The compensation of Time’s toll should wring our hearts with prayer

The culmination of its goal unfolds more than thin air

And pinpoints the Sensation of Something for more than this

That begs an explanation bigger than what mere man is

Where numbered days are winding down the clock beneath our skin

Until the Sacred Soul-goal when Forever will begin

Objection cannot change God’s mind; He grants the right to choose

Choice is the tie that binds mankind  to consequence’s dues

Then, how can we escape if we refuse the love of He

Who made a way through death and hell for all humanity

…ere compensation of Time’s toll roars like a mighty wave

As the force of eternity rolls across the grave

© Janet Martin

Inspired in part by our past Sunday morning message

(sorry about the static in some parts but still so worth the listen!)