Showing posts with label Haiti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haiti. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Hymn of Joy (Inspired in part by Haitian Hostage release)

Just as the morning sun dissolves night's darkness with light
So Jesus, God's Son,(The True Light) dissolves death's darkness with life


this poem is inspired in part by Luke 18, 19& 20,
by Christmas as we dwell on God's gift to humanity,
by this week's advent theme, God's love,
and by listening to the account from Christian Aid
about the missionaries released after being held captive for 2 months!
(see link below)
The word 'freedom' for them, must surely have a sweeter and deeper joy than ever before!

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives,
 the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God 
in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:37-40
In captivity the missionaries sang, Just like Paul and Silas long ago
(pray their captors too will ask like that jailer did, what must I do to be saved?)

As we begin hearing details about the missionaries who were held captive
in Haiti, we cannot help but we awed by God's faithfulness
and weep for the sheer joy of the hope we have in Him!
May we continue to pray for them as they deal with the aftermath of it all!

Into the darkness of the age what joy True Light yet gives
God’s Word abides to show The Way; man’s steadfast hope yet lives
So then with confidence and peace through what we see, or not
We pray God may our faith increase for battles not yet fought
For heart-of-heart humility to obey and to trust
To eclipse the futility of worldly pride and lust
For we seek a city to come (Oh Lord, may it be so)
The perfection of Christendom beyond this world of woe
Beyond the darkness of the age, where, praise God, hope yet lives
To show the way, from page to page by the Light God’s Word gives

Then praise the one true God and keep the stones from crying out
‘He is not dead nor doth he sleep’ oh, may we never doubt
But undeterred press on to Sweet Redemption’s Aftermath
His Word a Lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path
He keeps in perfect peace the mind stayed steadfastly on He
Who is compassionate and kind and forgives you and me
Not repaying accordingly to what our sins deserve
He paid guilt’s debt at Calvary, in love without reserve
His gift of grace for everyone; what joy His True Light gives
God so loved us He gave his Son to save us; hope yet lives

Delight in the law of the Lord and he will give to thee
The full desires of thy heart, from worldly want set free
And as we gaze on He who bought our freedom with His blood
May we be awed anew by the redeeming love of God
And then, not grow disheartened but be filled with gratitude
And worship He who pardoned us, with hearts and minds renewed
To sing with joy and rejoice and again I say rejoice
Do not be silent, boys and girls but give your worship voice
The Beacon of God’s Word still gleams; what joy His True Light gives
Into the darkness of the world it streams and hope yet lives

© Janet Martin

Every so often I share this beautiful hymn because I love Jesus!

 


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

This Year It's Up to Us




This year, oh God
Please help us
Help us all to see
Beyond our own desires
To our neighbor’s poverty

And this year God, oh help us
To do more than simply say
‘I should do more’
But let this be
Our prayer in every day

…this year God
Oh, help us
To see far beyond our greed
And give us love, enough to care
About our neighbor’s need

And this year God oh let us
Never dare to be excused
Because of things
We want to buy
While a poor child is refused

Help us to remember
To do good
Lord, in Your name
For when it comes to hunger
Rich or poor, it feels the same

© Janet Martin

 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,"
but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16