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Thursday, August 29, 2024

Were There No God (or, Glad Forevermore)


Today's poem was inspired in part by a birthday card for my dad who turns 83 today!

Also in part by a passage of Scripture I read this morning entitled Heirs of Grace
Titus 3: 1-7
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,
 to obey, to be ready for every good work, 
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, 
serving various lusts and pleasures, 
living in malice and envy, 
hateful and hating one another. 
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, 
but according to His mercy He saved us, 
through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
 7 that having been justified by His grace 
we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


I am so thankful to God that thankfulness is more than
 delight's noise disappearing into deaf air!!
My heart overflows with joy, for without God 
there would be no goodness and mercy to follow us 
all the days of our life till we dwell in his house forever!!
I am so thankful to the Giver of every good and perfect gift
which includes days like yesterday's
very precious moments with two little girls
who used to be in my childcare...




"this is me and you holding hands" explained artist




Were there no God our gladness would depend on fleeting thrills
Our brokenness would be a hopeless state of disrepair/deep despair
Were there no God, what Great Physician would heal hurts and ills
Of both body and soul or who would heed our earnest prayer?

Were there no God, no grace would kindle purpose, kind and true
Death and hell never overthrown, would crush all joy with woe
No author of salvation, no ‘greater is He in you’
No hope would anchor; we would be like ships tossed to and fro
No love of God, our Saviour who suffered death’s cross, so grim
To justify all who repent and put their faith in Him

Were there no God our would-be thanks/praise would have nowhere to go
Worship would be idolatry; darkness devoid of Light
Ah, who with renewed mercy would help us to face the foe
The armour of the world inept to fit us for the fight
Where faith and hope without their Cornerstone, are not enough
Were there no God to breathe in us, the greatest of these; Love

Were there no God, no ‘ought’ would be able to guide and keep
The law would dictate; hate would rule with agonizing fears
There would be no Good Shepherd for a world of wand’ring sheep
No Fold, no Path of righteousness, no Comforter for tears
No peace in the valley, no one to set sin’s captives free
From the dread of impending hell for all eternity

Were there no God no good would/could be, no beauty to behold
Want would gape in futility, nothing would satisfy
Were there no God to shower wondrous blessings, manifold
To we who cannot comprehend love’s unfailing supply
As joy transcends death’s cold façade, as like eagles we soar
For all who put their hope in God are glad forevermore

© Janet Martin

Ps.126:3
The LORD hath done great things for us, Whereof we are glad.

Isa.40:31
but those who hope in the LORD 
will renew their strength.
 They will soar on wings like eagles; 
they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not be faint.







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