241 Time to Listen

19.9.1989 (Heb. 4:7)

Today if you will hear His voice,

            harden not you heart.

Today if He will speak with you,

            listen don’t depart.

Don’t let a heart of unbelief

            or deceit of sin

Keep you from entering His rest;

            Keep you from coming in.

There’s so much He would say this day

            to ears that are attuned;

To hearts, which softened by His love,

            are eager to commune.

Today come listen to His voice,

            for what He has this day.

Don’t live on the past, but come

            to listen and obey.

240 One and Only

15.9.1989

Always You go on before.

Always opening the doors.

Always pointing out the way.

Always with Your presence stay.

Only You know what’s the best.

Only in You is there rest.

Only Your will, that’s my choice

Only always I’ll rejoice.

239 The Wall of Truth

4.9.1989 (from Edith Schaeffer’s talk) III (from Nehemiah)

The wall of truth is broken down;

  the stones lay scattered in the dust.

All those who come to build it up

  are met with mocking and mistrust.

They pray, ‘O God, we are despised,’

  then with a mind to work, they build.

They shake the dust off of the stones

   and work until the gaps are filled.

Their enemies conspire now,

  determined they will hinder them.

They pray again and set a watch

  to; day and night, look out for them.

But when they hear the lies enough

  that they’re failing and it’s no use,

Discouragement exposes them

  To all their enemy’s abuse.

But told again, ‘Remember Him,

  Be not afraid and fight the war,’   

238 Two Trees

2.9. 1989. (from Edith Schaeffer's talk) II

To me they are as parallels

  which never can connect;

Lines that run forever straight 

  and will not intersect.

To You, though, they are two tall trees

  which grew up side by side,

And branches up where I can’t see

  all touch and coincide.

Those trees are choice and sovereignty;

  in harmony they grow.

When praying I can’t straddle them

  and touch them toe-to-toe

Rather, first I put my feet

  on one and look to You,

Then go stand on the other one

  and ask what I must do.

237. Solid Wood

1.9. 1989. (from Edith Schaeffer's talk)

Lord, make me be of solid wood
  of oak, or even pine,
That all throughout I'm all the same,
  not just veneer that shines,
So if I'm sliced, what is exposed
  will be the same strong wood,
And if cut down, that which remains
  can be used for some good.

236. Revolving Door of Worry

30.8.1989.

It bothers me that I'm bothered,
  and unable to rest.
Why can't I put it down and leave
  this burden that's a test.
I pick it up, and put it down,
  and pick it up again.
My mind thinks up solutions and
  the freedom I'd have then.

The problem is I put it down
  then stand and stare at it.
That only agitates my heart,
  it doesn't quiet it.
I tell Him how I'm bothered and
  He asks me what's the fuss.
I see the burden in His hand...
  it looks like so much dust.

235. Longing for Solitude

27.8.1989.

I sighed and longed for solitude;
   for time to be alone.
I yearned for time to think and pray;
   for quietness I'd known.
I snatched some moments here and there,
   but they were not enough.
Yet in my longing for more time
   I heard Your soft rebuff.

Somewhere amidst my longing
   I slipped to selfishness;
And when I had the chance to serve
   there was unwillingness.
You showed me that those things that make
   one sigh for solitude
Can be used for a greater good
   to mold my attitude.

Those times are chances to deny;
   be freed from more of self.
The longings in themselves are good,
   but I was full of self.
I revel in the times You give
   to be alone with You.
When it's not there I'll not protest,
but rest in what You'll do.