The Ear and the Tongue of the Disciple 223.

21.7.1989.

(Isaiah 50:4-7)

He awakens me morning by morning;
He awakens my ear to hear.
Speak Lord, Your servant will listen;
speak to my heart soft and clear.

He has opened my ears I will listen.
Oh, may I never disobey,
But ever attentively listen
to all that He has to say.

He gives me the tongue of disciples
that I may know how to sustain
With a word, to lift the weary;
with His words to soothe the pain.

The Lord God, He's the One who will help me
therefore, I am never disgraced.
I have also set my face like flint;
never with regrets am I faced.

Lies and Truth 222.

19.7.1989.

(Psalm 119:128,163)

Do I hate all falseness;
abhor a lying tongue;
Do I give a sense of truth
as getting a right sum?

In my head I hate it,
but words come from the heart.
Lies still come so easily
from falseness in my heart.

Lord, You can take the crooked
and by Your hand it's straight;
Touch this crooked soul of mine,
for falseness give me hate.

I pray a growing horror
for everything untrue,
And a growing love of truth
would come to me from You.

The Rest of Being Understood 221.

17.7.1989.

(Proverbs 8:14; Psalm 147:5)

You not only understand me -
You ARE understanding.
There are no ways or places which
go beyond Your handling.
I come, I have no doubts You know
every situation.
It's restful to be understood
without explanation.

Your understanding's infinite -
You ARE understanding.
Your counsel I will heed, and do
all You are commanding.
You never will misjudge me or
bring up some past offense;
There's never fear to come to You
and enter Your presence.

Trust in Waiting 220.

13.7.1989.

It's easier for me to trust
Your faithfulness to me
To lead me each and every step
because it's You in me.
It's harder for me to have to trust
when I just have to wait,
And watch You lead another's life
as they deliberate.

Will they know Your Shepherd's voice,
and will they walk that way?
And should I offer my advice,
or should I back away?
I know that worry's never right;
and so I come in prayer;
I place the matter in Your hands,
and leave it in Your care.

Purifying Fire 219.

8.7.1989.

(Hebrews 12;29; Isaiah 1:25; Matthew 3:12)

You are fire ever-burning,
pure fire that is unquenchable;
Consuming fire, ever seeking
to burn the dross, refine the gold.
Your threshing floor shall all be clean,
the wheat will all be stored away.
The chaff not simply put aside,
but burned just like the wood and hay.

Your fire seeks the purest things,
the finest gold, the precious jewels,
You burn to make them purer still
till in Your hand they're useful tools.
Through all those You have purified
Your glory may shine clear and strong.
Lord of all-consuming fire,
oh may I with the pure belong.