Altar-Call

Whenever I feel overcome or mobbed

by barrages of negativity and fear,

by suffering, and the despair it could bring,

it helps me to picture Today as an altar

on which I/we stand as hands reach down,

pouring out the anointing of new day, 

and I am transfixed by the Scars on His Hands

and how they got there!!

I look at my own hands, not so very scarred...yet,

and am immensely humbled 

by Mercy renewed!

Lam.3:22-24&31-33

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[b]

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

For the Lord will not

cast off forever,

 but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion

according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

 for he does not afflict from his heart

or grieve the children of men.

From Hands, scarred by our redemption

Framed in heaven’s flawless form

Without bias or exemption

Today, takes the world by storm

Grace extends hope’s invitation

Over track-records, sin-flawed

Mercy’s renewed salutation

Unfurls cloud-pearled gift from God

Like a sign to all earth’s people

'Rise and shine, for day is here'

Like a whisper to the feeble

'I am with you, do not fear'

Like a symbol of His Presence

Darkness cannot keep its hold

Heaven overflows with incense

Mist-kissed amethyst and gold

From Hands, faithful to the finish

From Hands, helpful to each task

Love grants what time can’t diminish

Free to all, if we but ask

From the flask of Eden’s awning

Daily dawning is outpoured

I AM treads Time’s transient spawning

That threads an eternal cord

From Hands that will never falter

Dawn unfolds faith’s piercing price

Ash of days gleams on an altar

Awaiting our sacrifice

Look; a flood of light is breaking

Waking what yet waits to be

Look, mercy free for the taking

Holds scarred Hands to you and me

© Janet Martin

Wherever in life we are, God's mercy is more!

His Mercy Is More...