Stranger and Pilgrim

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:1-6

No doctrine can afford greater comfort to a child of God; than the doctrine of God’s omnipotent sovereignty. No truth brings more joy to the heart of a believer, than to know that his (or her) father reigns in full control.

It is only by Grace that we can see and embrace these truths; and only by mercy that we can find comfort in them. We live in a culture of pride and self-confidence; so from time to time, we must “arise, and go down to the potter’s house.” There we will see God’s greatness and sovereignty as He molds vessels of honor, and vessels of dishonor, all for His own awesome glory!

God is not playing with modeling clay;
He makes no hobby of men;
He doesn’t purpose to use them one day,
Then, think it over again!

Clay, is the Potter’s vocation –
Working the stubborn clod –
Clay, is the Potter’s vocation!
Clay, is the business of God!

Clay, is the Potter’s vocation;
The vessel, the Potter’s will.
There are no risks! The spinning discs
Reveal the Potter’s skill!

He’s making a New Creation!
His Wisdom is on display!
Behold, in the molding, His Image unfolding!
He’s breathing His life in clay!

Clay, is the Potter’s vocation!
No detail, left to chance.
All things combine, toward His design
His masterpiece to enhance.

He’s making a New Creation
And where it appears most weak
The clay will discover, its infinite Lover
Has made it the most unique!

I didn’t write this poem; I found it online without any author or source.

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Today has been one of the most joyful days of my life! The mercies of God are new every morning; and the joy of the Lord is my strength!

Today I was rejoicing in the assurance that Christ has finished my guilt & made surety for my life! I considered the text in 1 Corinthians 15:

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
(1 Corinthians 15:55-56)

After reading that text I wrote the following poem: Continue reading

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Here is a short poem I wrote a while back to keep me humble! May God grant that all of us are blessed, and humbled, by the truth of our utter and continual dependancy upon God for His mercy.

Servants of the Sovereign Ruler
Saved by Grace to seek His will
Plowing fields and feeding cattle
I cannot the law fulfill

….

Yet I strive with earnest effort
Daily praying, daily dying
Take my cross, His life to follow
Pleasure, sin and self denying

….

If I prayed with every breath
Praised His name with heart and mind
Sold my goods and didn’t covet
Bound each thought which crossed my mind

….

Could I do as good as Jesus
Walk this earth without one sin
All temptation count as nothing
Every motive pure within

….

Would he thank His humble servant?
Bid him with the master dine?
Nay, “a debt paid hath no merit
Specially, when your life tis mine”

….

When you’ve done what God’s commanded
Take no pride in works nor choice
Christ Himself has made you holy
Give Him thanks, Believe, Rejoice!

….

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Luke 17:7‐10

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The scripture tells us that “The LORD will command his lovingkindness” (Psalms 42:8); and again, ”The LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” (Psalms 133:3); and, ”He hath commanded his covenant for ever” (Psalms 111:9).

Surely, nothing can be more comforting to the child of God than this! To know that the very God who sovereignly works all things according to His omnipotence and who is obeyed even by wind and waves has commanded His own holy attributes to endure with lovingkindness forever and ever, to the praise of His redemptive glorious grace in Christ Jesus!

I have penned a short little poem to capture this beautiful truth. My prayer is that the Lord will use this to uplift and edify God’s remnant, elect according to Grace!

…..

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This is a wonderful poem by a Puritan Woman, Anne Bradstreet. Her house burned down, and she poured out her heart in this poem. It is a beautiful example of Godliness in a Stranger and Pilgrim who sojourned on earth for a time, a woman who was able to realize that her life does not consist in the things found here on earth. That her real life is hidden with Christ in God.

In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow neer I did not look,
I waken’d was with thundring nois
And Piteous shreiks of dreadfull voice.
That fearfull sound of fire and fire,
Let no man know is my Desire.
I, starting up, the light did spye,
And to my God my heart did cry
To strengthen me in my Distresse
And not to leave me succourlesse.
Then coming out beheld a space,
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And, when I could no longer look,
I blest his Name that gave and took,
That layd my goods now in the dust:
Yea so it was, and so ’twas just.
It was his own: it was not mine;
Far be it that I should repine.

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“That no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:29

It cannot cost nothing
My pride wants to say
I must do my part
For Grace I must pay

How can I merit?
What works can I do?
Is my faith enough?
Will my choice get me through?

You can do something
Lord, You can do most
But I need my part
In order to boast

Grace free of charge?
No cost could be higher
This price can’t be paid
By man’s prideful desire

But Glory to God
His Grace made a way
This problem itself
His greatness displays

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I wrote this poem not so long ago, shortly after my article on Constraining Love; as a reminder of the gracious and merciful love of God. To assert, with the words of Holy Scripture, that our God loves the elect with an irresistible and effectually saving love; a love that draws them to repentance and life in Jesus Christ. May God exalt the majesty of Christ through these truths!

A girl of four with a cute blue dress

In a field of white lilies and roses

Smiles and looks with a thoughtful gaze

To her father who peacefully dozes

Her father assures her, he loves her well

In a voice that is meek and sincere

“Daddy is strong, and he’s on my side;

With him I have nothing to fear.”

This girl of four, with her Daddy’s love

Is engulfed in a sea of glass

A sea that shines with glimmers of hope

Whatever may come to pass.

A man then appears, as an angel of light

And offers her poisoned pleasures

Candy and goodies, comforts and ease

And chests full of earthly treasures

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