Reason to Praise

Though the fig tree does not blossom
The vines yield no luscious grapes,
Though the olive harvest has no outcome
The fields, barren, no staple makes;
Though the sheepfold stands all empty
Where lambs once frolicked, in plenty ,
Though, in sad stillness, no lowing is heard
From the stalls with no cattle herd;
Yet, I’ve grounds to be joyful
I still have reason to praise;
Whatever be, now, my station
The Lord is the God of my salvation.

Yet, I’ve grounds to be joyful
I still have reason to praise,
He frames my feet like a deer’s
To mount all heights with no fears.
Yes, I’ve grounds to be joyful
I still have reason to praise!
Whatever be, now, my station
The Lord is the God of my salvation.

arjohn
©treasuresinjarsofclay.com

Even if the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, If the yield of the olive fails…. Yet I will triumph in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

My times are in Your hand

My times are in Your hand
The hand of Him who has All things planned.
Times of joy, unbridled and pure
Hedged in by all that seems secure.
Seasons, full of sunny blue skies
Spring days teeming with butterflies;
My times of joy are in your hand
On this truth, I do firmly stand.

My times are in Your hand
The hand of Him who has All things planned.
Times of grief, heartbreak and loss
And ever so often, tempest-tossed.
Seasons, when pain creeps in to stay
And darkness blocks the light of day.
My times of grief are in Your hand
On this truth, I do firmly stand.

My times are in Your hand
The hand of Him who has All things planned.
Times of peril, when dangers loom
Shadowed by every dread and gloom.
Times, when fear seems to have full sway
There’s a war waging to get Joy to stay.
My times of peril are in Your hand
On this truth, I do firmly stand.

My times are in Your hand
The hand of Him who has All things planned.
Times of uncertainty, of not knowing
What lies ahead, where I’m going,
Like an ebbing wave on sands of time
I’ve no hold now on what ‘fore felt mine.
My times of uncertainty are in Your hand
On this truth, I do firmly stand.

My times are in Your hand
The hand of Him who has All things planned
The hands that flung stars all over space
Yet, held in place on the Cross by nails.
The hand of Him who will rend the sky
With a trumpet sound one day, by and by;
My times, all times, are in Your hand
On this truth, I do firmly stand.

arjohn
©treasuresinjarsofclay.com

My times are in Your hand (Psalm 31:15)

Beyond Compare

He quenches not the smoking flax
In gentleness, He fans to flame;
The bruised reed, He will not break
In tenderness, strengthens the frame;
There’s none like Him, no Love so kind
No mercy more can we ever find.

If recount we would, His every thought
If  recite we tried, every mercy act
If tally we could, daily measures of grace
It’s beyond compare, who can get past?

arjohn
©treasuresinjarsofclay.com

A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench
Isaiah 42:3

The Mercy Cry

Would you, dear Lord, our spirits move?
True love and zeal for souls renew?
May we seek your face on bended knees
Hold up our land with fervent pleas;
Pass us not, our thousands die,
Hear, O Lord, our mercy cry!

From worthless things, turn our eyes
Let our ears pay heed to hopeless cries;
May our hearts break for broken lives
Night and day, let our prayers arise!
Pass us not, our thousands die,
Hear O Lord, our mercy cry!

For hope we plead, for mercy pray
Lift up your Cross o’er our land today
That dying men see the living Christ
Who, for every soul, was sacrificed
Pass us not, tens of thousands die,
Hear O Lord, our mercy cry!

Amidst distress, let Your mercy rain
O’er this land plunged in sin and pain
Heal the sick, set the captives free
That many more are saved for eternity
You pass us not, as our thousands die,
In love and mercy, You hear our cry!

arjohn
©treasuresinjarsofclay.com

Trusting in the dark

Trusting in the dark, only trusting, 
The One who walks beside is the Light,
Though overcast my path, all entrusting  
For, by faith I walk and not by sight. 

 Trusting in the dark, ever trusting
 Since by faith I walk and not by sight.

Trusting in the dark, unwavering,
The One who gives me ‘songs in the night’ 
‘Treasures of darkness’ I’m gathering  
As faith floods the darkness with His light.

Trusting in the dark, ever trusting 
Since by faith I walk and not by sight.

Trusting in the dark, never fearing, 
The One who is the Light leads the way 
He does see the end from the beginning 
Come what may, I never need dismay.

 Trusting in the dark, ever trusting
 Since by faith I walk and not by sight.

arjohn ©treasuresinjarsofclay.com

Of Small Things

A life of ‘small things’ is ours for long
Simple joys to such a life belong;
Of small service to the Lord, here n there
Moving about on the wings of prayer.

Of small returns for small labors done
Small steps we take till the race is run ;
Of coffee dates and prayer walks
Of banter, light and weighty talks.

No place we’ve had to call our own
Yet, a home we make every place we roam;
Though hand in hand we walk with grief,
Joy sneaks in often to grant relief.
You and me always side by side
Let’s keep going with the ebbing tide.

arjohn
©treasuresinjarsofclay.com
September 18 ❤️