Scripture Versification

Life

Life
From Ecclesiastes (1:1-14, & 12:12-14)

The sun arises in the east
Then sets beyond the west,
The breezes blow in circling paths
Whose end cannot be traced.

The sun evaporates the sea,
The clouds send forth the rain
Which falls and runs until it meets
Within the sea again.

From dust a man is made to live
And then to dust returns,
His work repeated by and by
His knowledge one relearns.

Nothing is new beneath the sun,
What’s done was done before.
Is all vexation, vanity,
Or is there something more?

Ah, more there is, though life is vain
And earth is emptiness,
For we live not for these alone
But for a future place.

Some will discuss things to no end
(They’ll write and teach and fight),
Yet this alone is weariness
And gives no certain light.

Here is the end, this we conclude,
The whole summed up is this:
Fear God and do as He directs
Man’s single duty this.

For God will judge our every work
With everything secret thing,
Deciding what is good and bad
Since He alone is King.

So let us live as He directs,
This life is but a part;
Look on to that eternal life
And keep and guard your heart.

Christina Joy Hommes

The Pressures of the Moment

The Pressures of the Moment
I Samuel 17, 21

I rose and killed the giant
I slew him with a stone,
The other men were fearful
I stood in faith alone.

Then pressures came about me
My life was daily sought,
Then daily fears beset me
My faith I soon forgot.

I fell to worldly mindsets,
I lied before the Lord;
I trusted earthly weapons
And doubted my God’s Word.

The hero of a moment
I fell when life beset,
The pressures of the moment,
Compared to life, were less.

Christina Joy Hommes

Ephesians 2:8-10

We are not saved by works we’ve done
But by the grace of God,
For all who trust in Christ are saved –
Washed in His precious blood.

Then, once we’re saved, we find good works
To do because we love
To please the One who showed us grace
And saved us is His love.

Christina Joy Hommes
Ephesians 2:8-10

I Will Not Want

I Will Not Want
(Meditations on Psalm 23:1)

I will not want another path
Than that which I am on,
Because my Shepherd knows what’s best;
This path is one He’s drawn.

I will not want a different way
Than where He’s leading me
With fewer thorns or more repose,
For He knows best for me.

I will not want a lighter yoke
Than this He made with care,
He knows what’s best and I will trust
He knows what I can bear.

I will not want what He withholds
Since He is always right;
His kindness is beyond my grasp,
It gives me strength and light.

I will not want a clearer view
So I can understand,
When He would guide me step by step
That I might trust His hand.

I will not want, in short, one thing
Which He does not deem best,
Because my Shepherd is my Lord –
In His good plan I rest.

Christina Joy Hommes

One of the pastors I listened to recently was urging us to follow after God and embrace His plan for us. He reminded us that, like Jonah, we have two choices – by bus or by whale – but either way God’s plans will be accomplished.

By Bus or Whale?

By bus or whale? How will I go
Along the path that God will show?
In days or years? Which will I choose?
God’s plan is sure; dare not refuse.

If I am His, then He will land
Me safe at last as He has planned
Upon that shore prepared above
For His Name’s sake whose ways I love.

If I resist, He does not change
His plan because I find it strange,
But I may stay by foolish play
The blessings planned along the way.

Did Jonah go where God had sent?
What did he gain to circumvent?
Just hardship, pain, so needless there
Still he must go the news to share.

What did the tribes of Jacob gain
When they refused to take the land?
Forty more years with death beside
Waiting for what they cast aside.

I may resist the plan God lays,
But I am warned – the rebel pays.
Know that God’s plan can’t be improved.
Go when He calls. He is not moved.

Lord, show your will and I will do
What You command, Your words are true.
Go with me, Lord, and I will go
Into whatever place you show.

Christina Joy Hommes

How are you supposed to obey God’s commission in your life today? Are you going to go by bus or by whale?

The Prodigal

The Prodigal
(Luke 15:11-32)

He ran with outstretched arms to meet me
A wretch once called His child;
He came and He embraced me
His voice was sweet and mild.

I came to be His servant
Unworthy of His Name,
And yet with ring and raiment
He clothed me when I came.

He threw a feast rejoicing
That I at last had come.
And still I love recalling –
He bid me welcome home!

Christina Joy Hommes

Life