On YHWH's Mountain

'Twas on an unnamed mountain in the region of Moriah,
Four thousand years back, Abraham encountered YHWH Jireh.
The son he'd waited decades for, and finally acquired,
Was to be slain and offered up within an altar’s fire.
How could this be? The promised one! How could God give, then take him?
And yet, we see no hint at all, that Abraham was shaken.
Instead, we're told he trusted God, even for resurrection.
And as his knife was lifted high, God gave a new direction.
When Abraham raised up his eyes, a substitute he sighted.
And coined the phrase, "On YHWH's mountain, it will be provided."

© Copyright 2007 by Jon F Caudle Jr

When Winds Blow Fiercely 'Cross the Plain

When winds blow fiercely 'cross the plain
And snow falls from the sky,
And howling tempests stir again,
And drifts are piled high,

Sometimes you feel the small home shake,
Cold air sometimes leaks in.
When it seems all that you can take,
And once more starts again,

Remember Him who calmed the storms
Out on the Galilee,
And when you've cause for wild alarm,
A prayer breathe, silently.

A prayer for tender mercies to
Pervade the fearful blast;
A prayer that He'll watch over you
Until the storm is past.

And likewise, when life's storms are mean,
And hide the light of day
So things are not so clearly seen
And you can't find the way,

In those times, too, cry out to Him,
He holds it in his hand.
Trust and obey, He is your friend,
And read redemption's plan.

Immerse yourself in promises,
His promise to redeem.
Rely then on the Lord Jesus,
Yes, trust your Mighty King.

© Copyright 2006 by Jon F Caudle Jr

In the Midst ... There Is

In the midst of despair, there is hope,
In the midst of the darkness, a light,
In the midst of the fire, a cool breeze to blow,
And a haven of rest in the fight,

In the midst of the gloom, there's a promise
That joy, in the morning will come,
In the storm, there's a shelter, a place you can hide,
And a Father to whom you can run!

Come to me, all you weary and burdened, he said.
And see that my burden is light.
The yoke will not chafe, not when you yoke with me,
And rest for your souls you will find.

So come cast your cares on the master
And know, indeed, he cares for you;
Not even a sparrow can fall, save, he wills it
And your life is in his hands, too.
So trust him whose promise is true.

© Copyright 2006 by Jon F Caudle Jr

As you contemplate the provision that God makes for his saints, whom he has sent into trials, remember to pray for those whom you know who are in the midst of these trying fires. Pray that God will pour out his mercy upon them, and that they will trust their Father.

Gracious Father, God of Mercy

Gracious Father, God of mercy,
Grant your children rest tonight;
Grant that their hearts would be trusting,
Knowing you will do what's right.

Grant them wisdom in decisions
That they're called upon to make;
Grant them fortitude to press on
When naysayers they must face.

Grant them courage in these hours
When their hearts could fail for fear,
Grant that they would cry out to You,
Confident that You will hear.

Gracious Father, God of mercy,
Reach forth with your mighty pow'r,
Healing bring to heart and body,
Be their strong and mighty tower.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Take Heart, My Friend

When dark despair comes knocking and you search in vain for strength;
When isolation drives you till you’re peering o’er the brink;
When overwhelmed by your acute responsibilities;
Breath deeply, friend, and fall upon your knees.

When all the weight you daily bear becomes a crushing load;
And ‘neath its pressing burden your back wearily bends low;
And when it seems the agonizing struggle ne’er will end;
Breath deeply, pray, and be encouraged, friend.

First, don’t forget that there are friends who, too, are on their knees;
And don’t forget Him who before the Father intercedes;
And don’t forget the promised joy which strength helps you endure;
Take heart, my friend, His promises are sure.

Sleep Can Be Elusive

Sleep can be elusive when the children
Fitf'ly toss and turn upon their beds;
In the morn's wee hours you be wond'rin'
How you will survive without some rest.

I can see how easy it would be then
For Despair to make its presence known,
And the only way you can defeat him
Is to bare your heart before the throne.

There, then, I will join you in this hour;
There with God, our Father, we can plead:
Asking in his mercy and his power
He would grant you rest in time of need.

Rest that first begins with all your children;
Rest that drives away sickness and fears;
Rest derived from peace that stands a-guardin'
Hearts and minds, and dries away all tears.

Father, God of mercies and all comfort,
As before, we come to you again.
Pleading for a night of restful slumber,
Asking now in Jesus' name, Amen.

40,000 Little Buzzy Busy Bees

Forty thousand little buzzy busy bees
Live inside the hive that hangs among the trees.
Daily they go buzzing through the countryside,
Looking for a source of sweetness to imbibe.

Pollinating crops and veg'tables and trees,
And within the hive creating honey sweet.
When the season's right, the keeper goes around
Raiding hives, and taking stashes that are found.

James speaks of a farmer who waits patiently;
This, too, could be said of one who tends the bee:
Moved by expectation of the precious fruit
Which rewards the diligence in this pursuit.

For that coming day, though far away it be,
I too wait, with anxious longing, eagerly;
In the fruit of my hands' labor I will share,
Having built the beehives that are hanging there.