Theological and Doxological Meditation #12
Providence Toward Man
Q. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man,
he entered into a covenant of life with him,
upon condition of perfect obedience (Galatians 3:12);
forbidding him to eat
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
upon pain of death (Genesis 2:17).
My Dear Redeemer and My Lord
#238, Trinity Hymnal
Isaac Watts
My dear Redeemer and my Lord,
I read my duty in your Word;
but in your life the law appears
drawn out in living characters.
Such was your truth, and such your zeal,
such def’rence to your Father’s will,
such love, and meekness so divine,
I would transcribe and make them mine.
Cold mountains and the midnight air
witnessed the fervor of your prayer;
the desert your temptations knew,
your conflict and your vict’ry too.
Be now my pattern; make me bear
more of your gracious image here:
then God the Judge shall own my name
amongst the foll’wers of the Lamb.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #11
On Providence
Q. What are God’s works of providence?
A. God’s works of providence are,
his most holy (Psalm 145:17),
wise (Isaiah 28:29),
and powerful preserving (Hebrews 1:3),
and governing all his creatures
and all their actions (Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29).
God Moves in a Mysterious Way (click title to play)
William Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”),
#128, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
he plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill
he treasures up his bright designs,
and works his sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take
the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
he hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding ev’ry hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #10
The Creation of Man
Q. How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female,
after his own image (Genesis 1:27),
in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness
(Colossian 3:10; Ephesians 4:24),
with dominion over the creatures (Genesis 1:28).
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah! (click title to play)
#110, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
William J. Kirkpatrick
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
from the heavens praise his name;
praise Jehovah in the highest,
all his angels, praise proclaim.
All his hosts, together praise him,
sun and moon and stars on high;
praise him, O you heav’ns of heavens,
and you floods above the sky.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
for his name alone is high,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is elalted,
and his glory is exalted
far above the earth and sky.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
they were made at his command;
them forever he established,
his decree shall ever stand.
From the earth, O praise Jehovah,
all you seas, you monsters all,
fire and hail and snow and vapors,
stormy winds that hear his call.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
for his name alone is high,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted
far above the earth and sky.
All you fruitful trees and cedars,
all you hills and mountains high,
creeping things and beasts and cattle,
birds that in the heavens fly,
kings of earth, and all you people,
princes great, earth’s judges all;
praise his name, young men and maidens,
aged men, and children small.
Let them praises give Jehovah,
for his name alone is high,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted,
and his glory is exalted
far above the earth and sky.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #9
On Creation
Q. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is,
God’s making all things of nothing (Genesis 1:1),
by the word of his power (Hebrews 11:3),
in the space of six days,
and all very good (Genesis 1:31).
All Things Bright and Beautiful
#120, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Cecil F. Alexander, 1848
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colors,
he made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them, every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
the flowers by the water
we gather every day.
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #8
Decretal Modes
Q. How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees
in the works of creation and providence.
Let All Things Now Living (click title to play)
#125, The Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Let all things now living
a song of thanks giving
to God the Creator
triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who guides us and leads to
the end of our days.
His banners are o’er us,
his light goes before us,
a pillar of fire
shining forth in the night,
’til shadows have vanished
and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel
from light into light.
His law he enforces:
the stars in their courses,
the sun in its orbit,
obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean
proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing
our love and rejoicing,
with glad adoration
a song let us raise,
’til all things now living
unite in thanksgiving
to God in the highest,
hosanna and praise!
Theological and Doxological Meditation #7
The Decrees of God
Q. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass (Ephesians 1:11).
Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right (click title to play)
#108, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Samuel Rodigast, 1675
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
his holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er he doth,
and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
he holds me that I shall not fall:
wherefore to him I leave it all.
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent;
his hand can turn my griefs away,
and patiently I wait his day.
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
though now this cup, in drinking,
may bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
and pain and sorrow shall depart.
Whate’er my God ordains is right:
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, or death be mine,
yet am I not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
he holds me that I shall not fall:
and so to him I leave it all.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #6
The Persons of God
Q. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A.There are three persons in the Godhead,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
(Matthew 28:19);
and these three are one God,
the same in substance,
equal in power and glory (1 John 5:7 KJV)
O God, We Praise Thee (click title to play)
#105, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Te Deum, 4th Century
Translated in Tate and Brady’s Supplement to the New Version, 1708
Scottish Psalter, 1615
DUNDEE C.M.
O God, we praise thee; and confess
that thou the only Lord
and everlasting Father art,
by all the earth adored.
To thee all angels cry aloud;
to thee the pow’rs on high,
both cherubim and seraphim,
continually do cry.
O holy, holy, holy Lord,
whom heav’nly hosts obey,
the world is with the glory filled
of thy majestic ray.
Th’apostles’ glorious company
and prophets crowned with light,
with all he martyrs’ noble host ,
thy constant praise recite.
The holy church throughout the world,
O Lord, confesses thee,
that thou Eternal Father art,
of boundless majesty;
Thine honored, true and only Son;
and Holy Ghost, the Spring
of never-ceasing joy: O Christ,
of glory thou art King.
The Law of Love
1 John 4:13-19 ESV
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
“Things that go together should never be separated”
It’s amazing how easy it is for us to separate Biblical teachings which ought to remain unified. In a sermon preached a few years ago, Dr. Jeffrey Bingham of Dallas Theological Seminary sought to show the unified relationship between truth and love in 2 John.
His introduction was very humorous. He talked about the fact that in life there are many things that (not exact quotes) “go together, and should never be separated.” First example, poverty and home ownership: “Once I became a home owner, companies I’d never even heard of began asking for my money; therefore, poverty and home ownership always go together.”
Dr. Bingham’s second illustrative example featured (this is a more exact quote): “Chocolate chip cookies and milk. It is wickedness of the deepest darkness (!) to have a chocolate chip cookie without a cold glass . . . of milk.” Then he went on to show the necessary unity and unbreakable link that must remain between the Biblical notions of “Truth and Love.” But that’s another story. The point of this posting is that in this passage from John’s first letter, loving God and loving others are inseparable. Love for others gives credence to our claim to love God.
But I wanted to highlight this concept from 1 John 4 because John wrote that “we love (others, in this context) because [God] first loved us.”
The Logical Order of Biblical Indicatives and Biblical Imperatives
Now, to switch gears, notice the logical order: first, God loved us; second, we love others (as evidence that we love God). The logical order is vital. This is what I called “Indicative” and “Imperative” in a past posting a couple of weeks ago. It is imperative to keep in mind that in biblical Christianity, the “indicative” always precedes the “imperative.” In other words, in biblical Christianity, the reason we work is because of what God did for us. If we have a concept of a God who loves us because of our work (placing “imperative” logically before “indicative”), then we are legalists. The book of Galatians is one of Paul’s great treatises written to distinquish biblical Christianity from legalism (Galatians 3:3). We don’t get God to do for us by doing for him, we do for him because he did for us; that’s why John wrote, “We love (God and others) because he first loved us.” This is the point John makes and this is the point of my concern that all application (the imperatives, or precepts or commands, of Scripture) should be made in preaching on the basis of the Gospel preached (The Indicative of indicatives), and not only preached as an evangelistic appeal directed toward unbelievers, but preached also to the believers as the foundation, reason and source of the particular application of each and every “practical and relevant” sermon. If application is preached as separate from the gospel, you have legalism. It’s not good enough to assume the listeners understand the foundation, it must be presented as a unified, package deal.
It is “wickedness of the deepest darkness” to preach application without explicitly basing it on the gospel.
Imperative comes from Indicative; application comes from gospel; “do” comes from “be.” Kind of like that old saying, “we sin because we are sinners.” Likewise, we walk in righteousness because we are righteous, not “we become righteous by walking in righteousness.” How did we become righteous? Righteousness was given to us by God as a free gift of his grace (Romans 1:17; 3:24).
Third Gear
John Wesley made his mark on Chrisitian theology by emphasizing that Christians ought, to weave in my own language, to perform the imperatives of Scripture, based either on the motive of fear of punishment or hope of reward. This is one of the distinctives of the Wesleyan form of Arminianism (God does his part, man does his part). In Wesley’s scheme, what do we have? Man working in order to get God to reward him and in order to keep God from punishing him. What did we call that in the earlier paragraph? Legalism! Imperative preceding Indicative. Earning salvation by my own works. What is the alternative?
Wesley was lifelong friends with fellow revivalist, George Whitefield. Now Whitefield was a Calvinist. The two agreed that while out publicly preaching they would not debate Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Naturally, they failed to maintain this bond, poor John just couldn’t help himself, but that’s beside the point. The point is, Calvinist theology (the system of doctrine the great Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon called, “another name for the gospel” or “biblical theology”), in other words, the teaching of Scripture is that the proper motive for obedience is gratitude. A few scriptural phrases: “faith without works is dead” “faith works by love” “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” See? Imperative follows Indicative. We love (keep his commandments) because he first loved us. That’s why Paul wrote that grace and faith establish the Law rather than eliminate it (Romans 3:31).
And now, the real point
The reason I’m belaboring all of this is because it’s the theology that lies behind a song I wrote. I wanted to write a song about the Ten Commandments, but as I thought about it, it became my theology of Christian obedience to the Ten Commandments. “We Love God Because He First Loved Us.”
The Love Song © 2004, John Douglas Chitty
We love God because he first loved usby sending us his Son.
Jesus kept the Lord our God’s commands, by him the work was done.
Every day we break God’s Law in thought, word or in deed.
Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness we need.
How do we give thanks to him? What did the Savior say?
Jesus said, “If you love me, my commandments you’ll obey.”
We love God because he first loved us, and our love is of this kind:
Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . .
and with all your soul . . .
and with all your mind.”
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not bow down or serve carved images.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Sanctify the Sabbath day and so rest in the Lord;
in six days God made the world, and rested on one more.
That’s not all the Savior said would praise the Lord above.
Jesus said, “Your neighbor, too, needs you to show your love.”
Give honor to your father, and at your mother’s knee.
And you shall not murder, nor commit adultery.
You shall not take away your neighbor’s belongings.
Neither lie about him, nor desire to have his things.
We love God because he first loved us by sending us his Son.
Jesus kept the Lord our God’s commands, by him the work was done.
Every day we break God’s Law in thought, word or in deed.
Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness we need.
How do we give thanks to him? What did the Savior say?
Jesus said, “If you love me, my commandments you’ll obey.”
Theological and Doxological Meditation #5
The Uniqueness of God
Q. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only (Deuteronomy 6:4),the living and true God (Jeremiah 10:10).
My God, How Wonderful Thou Art (right click title to play in a new tab)
#35 Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Frederick W. Faber, 1848; alt. 1961, 1990
My God, how wonderful thou art,
thy majesty how bright!
How beautiful thy mercy seat,
in depths of burning light!
Wondrous are thine eternal years,
O everlasting Lord,
by holy angels day and night
unceasingly adored!
O how I fear thee, living God,
with deepest, tend’rest fears,
and worship thee with trembling hope,
and penitential tears.
Yet I may love thee too, O Lord,
almighty as thou art;
for thou hast stooped to ask of me
the love of my poor heart.
No earthly father loves like thee,
no mother half so mild
bears and forbears, as thou hast done
with me, thy sinful child.
How wonderful, how beautiful,
the sight of thee will be,
thine endless wisdom, boundless pow’r,
and awesome purity!
The Main Thing . . . What Else? The Gospel
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures . . . ” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
How easily Christians are diverted from a focus on the Gospel of Christ in favor of their favorite theological hobby-horse! I’ve had a few. I remember back when all I could find the motivation to read were book, tracts, booklets, articles on the superiority (and even divine inspiration) of the 1611 Authorized King James Version of the Bible (I even wrote a song about it!), many people with whom I’d discuss the issues would ask me, why is it that I hear you talk more about King James than Jesus? This is a question that is appropriate for all theology geeks like myself who allow the subject in which they’re most interested to move to the center of their minds and hearts while the cross of Christ and the power of his resurrection slip to the back burner. Even now that I’m a Calvinist, I try to keep in mind the place from where I came and recall how annoying are those theological bulldogs who viciously and unrelentingly know how to turn every conversation from the topic at hand to an argument over the sovereignty of God, election, reprobation, and predestination. Although, after becoming acclamated to the truth (I don’t mean those Calvinistic bulldogs were wrong, just annoying), I was discussing with one of my friends about this very topic, how that every Christian tradition has its favorite theological emphases that are distinctive of that particular tradition. My friend replied, “That’s what verifies the truth of Calvinism to me: all they care about is making sure the gospel is accurately preached; hence the concern for the sovereignty of God in salvation.”
In other words, it’s all about the Gospel. The Gospel is the center. The Gospel is the foundation. The Gospel is the source of the power. The Gospel is the agent of life in Christ. The Gospel is the basis of all practical application. The Gospel is the fulfillment of all prophecy. The Gospel is the Main Thing. Paul was right, “…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised again the third day in accordance with the Scriptures [is of first importance].”
That’s why I would like to recommend that you go to the website for Sovereign Grace ministries right now and discover a wonderful book that reminds us how to keep the Gospel the main thing. It’s called Living the Cross Centered Life by C. J. Mahaney. The title of this post is a link to the webpage advertising this book. I found an earlier edition of this book a couple of years ago. It’s a tiny book. But, boy, was it packed with mind-altering material. What kind of material was it? Simply a reminder that the source of power for living a Christian life is to stay focused on the Gospel all the time. Read about it, talk to yourself and others about it, sing about it, examine your behavior in the light of it, you name it.
Speaking of writing songs about favorite theological hobby-horses, here’s one I wrote about that which is of first importance. I call it The Corinthian Creed. It’s simply a summary of 1 Corinthians 15. This chapter is a proclamation of Christ’s resurrection, an apologetic defense of resurrection in general and even a sermon on the believer’s hope and motivation to persevere inspired by the resurrection. Hope it helps you grasp the truths of this vital New Testament chapter as writing it has done for me.
The Corinthian Creed
© 2005, John Douglas Chitty
We believe that Chirst died for our sins
according to the Scriptures;
That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures.
Then he was seen by Peter,
then by all the Twelve;
after that he was seen by more than
five hundred brothers at once as well.
Then he was seen by James,
then by all the Apostles;
and last of all, he was seen by Paul,
as by one born out of due time.
chorus
We believe this is of first importance:
Christ died for our sins,
According to the Scriptures,
the third day, he rose again.
We believe in resurrection
because if the dead don’t rise,
our faith is vain,
we’re still in sin,
and lost is he who dies.
But Christ in fact is risen,
the firstfruits of the dead.
For as all die in Adam,
so all live in Christ, their Head.
Christ our King rose first,
so, when he comes, shall we,
for he must reign and conquer
till his last foe, Death’s, defeat!
repeat chorus
Why, then, do we suffer,
if the dead in Christ won’t rise?
If so, let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we will die.
Do not be deceived,
wake up and do what’s right.
Do not go on sinning
like the ones who lack God’s light.
But someone will ask,
“What kind of bodies will arise?”
You fool! No seed, when planted, will grow
unless first it dies!
repeat chorus
We believe there is a natural body,
and one of the Spirit.
The natural body perishes,
sin’s curse is buried with it.
As Christ raised the third day,
at last in all his glory,
so will those who follow him
and trust the Gospel story.
Adam of the earth,
Jesus Christ of heaven.
As we’ve borne Adam’s image,
We will bear Christ’s image, even!
repeat chorus
We believe when Christ our King returns
all sleeping saints to waken,
we may not all sleep,
but all will gain a transformation.
So will come to pass
the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory,” sin is finally smitten.
But thanks be to God,
through Christ, our Victory!
Be strengthened in his service,
knowing death won’t end the story!
We believe this is of first importance:
Christ died for our sins.
According to the Scriptures,
the third day he rose again!
Theological and Doxological Meditation #4
The Nature of God
Q. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit (John 4:24), infinite (Job 11:7), eternal (Psalm 90:2), and unchangeable (James 1:17), in his being (Exodus 3:14), wisdom (Psalm 147:5), power (Revelation 4:8), holiness (Revelation 15:4), justice, goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6-7).
Holy, Holy, Holy! (right click title to play in a new tab)
#100, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Theological and Doxological Meditation #3
The Principal Teaching of Scripture
Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (2 Timothy 1:13).
Father of Mercies, In Your Word (click title to play)
Anne Steele, 1760
#144, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Father of mercies, in your Word what endless glory shines;
forever be your name adored for these celestial lines.
Here may the wretched sons of want exhaustless riches find;
riches above what earth can grant and lasting as the mind.
Here the Redeemer’s welcome voice spreads heav’nly peace around;
and life and everlasting joys attend the blissful sound.
O may these heav’nly pages be my ever dear delight;
and still new beauties may I see, and still increasing light.
Divine Instructor, gracious Lord, O be forever near;
teach me to love your sacred Word, and view my Savior there.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #2
Direction in Man’s Chief End
Q: What rule hath God given to direct ushow we may glorify and enjoy him?
A: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (2 Tim. 3:16; Eph. 2:20), is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him (1 John 1:3-4).
Holy Bible, Book Divine (click title to play)
John Burton, 1803
#137, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Holy Bible, book divine
precious treasure, you are mine;
mine to tell me whence I came;
mine to teach me what I am;
Mine to chide me when I rove;
mine to show a Savior’s love;
mine you are to guide and guard;
mine to punish or reward;
Mine to comfort in distress;
suff’ring in this wilderness;
mine to show by living faith,
man can triumph over death;
Mine to tell of joys to come,
and the rebel sinner’s doom;
Holy Bible, book divine,
precious treasure, you are mine.
Theological and Doxological Meditations
Welcome to the first posting of The Captain Headknowledge Theological and Doxological Meditations! The format is very simple: Featuring one of the 107 questions from the Westminster Shorter Catechism (with Scripture Proofs), accompanied by a relevant psalm, hymn or spiritual song from “The Trinity Hymnal,” simply read, pray, examine yourself, search the Scriptures, pray some more and your on the road to good, old fashioned, Reformed catechesis!
We may have it all over past generations when it comes to publishing information, but due to information’s modern easy accessibility, we’re as lazy as all get out when it comes to personally appropriating the information. This is especially true, and especially dangerous, when it comes to spiritual “information”: I can read it, put it on my shelf, refer to it when needed, post it for the benefit of others, but unless I stop what I’m doing, pay attention to what I’m reading, and personally apply it by finding out what is it in me that needs to change in order for God to accomplish his will for my life (sanctification, conformity to the image of his Son) with this information, then it will “profit me nothing,” to borrow a phrase from the Apostle Paul. In this regard, past generations are our betters. We could afford to go back to basics by renewing our minds (Rom. 12:1,2) the way our blessed forefathers did, and a major way this took place was by means of catechisms such as the one I feature, and theologically significant psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It is often repeated that the laity learns most of its theology from church music, which argues all the more for carefully crafted, biblically and theologically rich church music.
Perhaps in a later post I will introduce you to the Westminster Standards, from which our featured catechism is derived, but for now, with no further ado, I give you “The Captain Headknowledge Weekly Devotional & Theological Meditations.”
The Chief End of Man
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36),
and to enjoy him forever (Ps. 73:25-28).
In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee. (click title to play)
#657, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
In sweet communion, Lord, with thee
I constantly abide;
my hand thou holdest in thine own
to keep me near thy side.
Thy counsel through my earthly way
shall guide me and control,
and then to glory afterward
thou wilt receive my soul.
Whom have I, Lord, in heav’n but thee,
to whom my thoughts aspire?
And, having thee, on eart is naught
that I can yet desire.
Though flesh and heart should faint and fail,
the Lord will ever be
the strength and portion of my heart,
my God eternally.
To live apart from God is death,
’tis good his face to seek;
my refuge is the living God,
his praise I long to speak.
AMEN
The Misadventures of Captain Headknowledge 