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Grace Revealed in Trial
One knows not what a day may bring
Joy, laughter, sorrow, death’s sting.
It is easy to smile when God clearly blesses
But can one praise Him when trial distresses?
When life seems unfair and we face a sore test
Will we believe that God’s way is still best?
When hearts break and the doubts assail
Can we then claim that God’s love does not fail?
In such distress to Your Creator implore
Cry unto Him as you’ve never before,
“Where are you, Lord? Do you know my need?
I plead now in loneliness; please intercede!
You seem to be absent through these hours of pain.
In this sadness and loss my hope seems to wane.
You’ve promised to never leave or forsake
But sorrow questions if this word’s a mistake.”
“Show me your love, take hold of my hand.
Give me assurance that this is all as You planned.
Remind me of the path Christ Himself once trod,
And how on the cross He was forsaken of God.
Experiencing sorrows, losses and pain,
Rejection instead of His rightful reign.
If life to me now seem rather unfair
Remind me of the injustices Christ Jesus did bear.”
He will answer this plea, show again His face,
Flood the weary soul with assurance and grace,
He will meet every need, take hold of the hand
Give peace that only His children understand.
Thus allowing one to rise above the feelings of grief
And take fast hold upon faith’s solid belief
That this plan for His child was set long ago
And every part of this trial He did foreknow.
So, dear friend, join me in praising
Our gracious Redeemer whose ways are amazing.
Cast out all doubts and remove each fear
Trust in Him when the way seems unclear.
For, in wonderful wisdom God’s weaving His Will
A masterful design of grace to fulfil.
Yet only a glimpse of these patterns are shown
To us whose ways are unworthy His own.
By Judith Searle 27/8/2019
A Child of God
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10
I am a Child of God, you say.
I have been redeemed – my sin taken away.
The Lord has given me life anew,
What is there now that I must do?
Well my dear Christian, let me see,
You say you are part of God’s family?
If this be the case then shouldn’t it be your aim,
To walk worthy to bear such an honourable name?
A child who is born on this earth,
Resembles the parents of their birth.
Similarly, for a Child of God you’d expect,
That their Heavenly Father they would reflect.
Thus a Christian’s conduct should be pure,
It should be Godlike and mature.
They should be seeking to do good deeds,
And to be sowing righteous seeds.
So may you remember as you go on your way,
That people are watching you each day.
And may you consider in all you do,
What image of God is showing through you.
By Judith Searle
A Heart of Thankfulness
Oh Lord, my Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth.
Beyond measure is Thy marvelous worth.
How beautiful is the unfolding of Thy plan
As Thou does reveal glimpses of it to fallen man.
My heart fails within as I ponder Thy ways.
How can my feeble tongue but sing Thy praise!
Doubts and fears Thy love does dispel.
Thy love for me my soul knoweth right well.
Thou has lifted the burden of my heart.
Joy in place of sorrow Thou does impart.
My tears Thou has exchanged for rejoicing.
Glory to Thy name alone I am now voicing.
My vilest sin Thou does remember no more.
My salvation Thou has made forever sure.
If Thou gave me all this life has to offer
It would no more my contentment proffer
For Thou are more than enough for my soul.
Each breath I take is under Thy control.
With Christ at its centre my life is complete.
I could desire nothing greater than to sit as His feet.
May He be exalted and I be abased –
May pride not make my lifework a waste.
Even if another earthly day I do not see
I am content just knowing Christ through eternity.
And if in heaven I simply gaze from afar
At the place where God and my Saviour are
No greater bliss could ever then be mine
Than to gaze forever on that countenance divine.
By Judith Searle
March 2008
A Heavy Soul
Oh Lord, my soul feels heavy,
Weighed down with the cares of the day.
And with each new frustration
My joy has slipped away.
Each task seems almost worthless.
I’m tired of the mundane!
The worries overtake me;
My faith begins to wane.
Help me Lord to draw aside
To quiet the noise of my soul.
Continually I will fail
If You don’t take control.
Please help me to refocus –
That my perspective may be right.
Restore in my heart the fire
You alone can ignite.
I am so poor and needy –
Insignificant but for You.
My life is but a vapour,
Which one day will be through.
Eternity is greater
Than my small mind can contemplate
And of your eternal plan
I only speculate.
In hindsight each trial will seem
Insignificant when compared
To your eternal purpose
And the fellowship we shared.
Help me to rest in Your love
And Your plan for my greater good.
Make me faithful in each task
To fulfill all I should.
May I now approach this day
With confidence and charity.
May each word, thought and action
Count for eternity.
By Judith Searle 2008
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Isaiah 64:8
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Dear Lord, I know You are the potter and I am the clay.
You desire to work in my life and mould me Your way.
Since You are the Creator who gave life to me,
You have the right to make me what You want me to be.
You are not only the creator, but our redeemer from sin.
The hands that You work with show where the nails did go in.
That day on the cross the price was paid,
And this lump of clay, at Your fingertips is laid.
You are skilled at Your job and You know what must be done,
To form this piece of clay into the image of Your Son.
Please help me Lord to be pliable in Your hand,
So that You can form me into the piece of work You have planned.
Thankyou for Your perseverance, that You do not give up the fight.
You keep on working until You get it just right.
For You are working on living souls for whom Your Son died,
Thankyou Lord that You will not cast these souls aside.
Lord into Your hands my life I place,
This life which You saved through Your grace.
Please mould me into whatever You wish,
A mug, a vase, a plate, or a dish.
By Judith Searle
A Thought...
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Psalm 40:2
As dusk creeps up around me,
As the birds whistle their days' goodbyes,
I think of the love that surrounds me,
And tears begin to form in my eyes.
How can I be worthy of this love?
Why do others feel this way?
How can it be that God above,
Can care for me on this day?
I live a life drowned with sin -
Oh what a sinner am I!
Yet He accepts me in the state I am in,
Why should He do this, I cry?
He sent His Son to die on the cross,
All our sins to bear.
To save us who were at a loss,
So we could join Him there.
How great is He who brought me up,
Out of the horrible pit.
My life is now an overflowing cup,
Because meaning has been brought to it.
In my life I wish to serve,
You, my Lord, and only You.
It is not the payback that You deserve,
But it is the most I can do.
By Judith Searle
All Things Are Possible
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
When it seems there is no cure and no way to break free,
Remember the Lord is by your side watching over thee.
So don't lose hope because He is hearing every word you pray,
And He has the power to even make chains fall away.
He who raises the dead and heals the ill,
And at Whose word the storms be still,
Is on your side and He can do,
Anything you ask Him to.
By Judith Searle
Always By Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is trusting, believing and being confident,
In what God says He will do.
As we run the difficult race of life,
Only faith can get us through.
Salvation only comes by faith,
Believing on the name of God’s Son.
Faith is required for Christian living,
For, only by faith can obstacles be overcome.
Faith shows us what lays ahead,
In the Promised Land.
It reveals the glimmer of the city,
And the wounds in the Saviour’s hand.
God requires that we have faith,
Yet how often we do fail.
We doubt and fear and get drawn aside,
Allowing the Devil to prevail.
Please Lord, help us to not doubt,
But look to You in all we do.
May we live always by faith,
Trusting wholly in You.
By Judith Searle
But God
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:4-5
Dead was I in my trespasses and sin,
But God hath quickened me;
In bondage to Satan and pained within,
But God hath set me free.
Tormented and heavy laden was I,
But God His rest did bring;
Finding naught that would my soul satisfy,
But God gave life meaning.
Concerned was I about my own future,
But God His saints He leads;
Of daily provision feeling unsure,
But God shall meet my needs.
Unworthy am I the Father the know,
But God has shown me much.
Unfit to be used His great love to show,
But God requires such.
But God, who is rich in mercy,
And loving beyond all measure,
Hath dealt kindly with me,
And blessed me with priceless treasure.
By Judith Searle 2001
By God’s Grace
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8, 9
You watch the clock ticking by,
Spy a rainbow in the sky,
Marvel at the sight of a waterfall,
And listen to the sound of a bird’s sweet call.
By looking around you in any place,
You can see signs of God’s great Grace.
It is God’s Grace that keeps us every day,
His Grace that prevents this world passing away.
It is by Grace that in His creation we can take part,
Although we have allowed sin to enter our heart.
However, the greatest example of God’s matchless Grace,
Is Christ’s death on the cross in the sinners’ place.
Man has sinned and deserves not God’s favour,
But God loves us with a love that will never waver,
And although we deserve Hell’s torments as punishment,
By Grace He offers forgiveness if we would just repent.
So, mans’ sin, good works cannot erase,
It can only be removed by God’s Grace.
By Judith Searle
Christ Is Returning
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:11
As we struggle through our daily lives,
Have you ever stopped to think?
That the world we know and live in,
Could be gone within a blink.
Jesus Christ is returning!
Oh what a glorious day that will be!
When Jesus descends from heaven,
To take back with Him you and me.
But what about those who are lost?
For them time is running out.
While we are with God in His splendour,
They will go without.
Today is the day of salvation!
Today we must teach people of God's word.
We must tell them of God's saving Grace,
And help them to believe what they have heard.
We can not wait until tomorrow,
For then it may be too late.
We must bring people to Jesus now.
Please, do not hold back and wait.
Wake up, Christ is coming!
That day is drawing near.
Are you out spreading the Good News,
So that many more may hear?
By Judith Searle
Christ, and Christ Alone
Look closely at your life and you will see,
That there is nothing good that you can claim as your own.
For all the good things that are in you and me,
Are there because of Christ, and Christ alone.
By Judith Searle
Contentment is a Person
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
We are to be content with what we have,
And not lust for possessions, wealth or fame.
For no matter how much more worldly things we receive,
Satisfaction from such things we will never gain.
Contentment can only come from a person,
This person is Jesus Christ the King.
He can provide all our needs,
With Him you will never want anything.
By Judith Searle
God's Love Letter
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Matthew 24:35
God has written a love letter to each of us,
With words of love flowing from the pages.
These words apply to every person,
And they will stand through all the ages.
This love letter tells of a love supreme,
Such a love we can not even comprehend.
Due to this love we can have eternal life,
For to earth Jesus, God did send.
God's love for us is so great,
That He gave to us His Son,
And if we believe on the name of the Lord,
His children we become.
The Bible is this love letter,
Given to man by God above.
May we not only read it out of duty,
But out of a longing to hear of God's love.
By Judith Searle
God’s Ravens
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
I Kings 17:2-4
In chapter seventeen of the book of First Kings,
The Bible records some extraordinary things –
It tells of how God ensured that Elijah was fed,
And of how the widow’s son was revived from the dead.
Many truths from this chapter we can glean,
In the account of the ravens, one such truth can be seen.
In this description of only seven verses long,
The Bible explains how Elijah was kept healthy and strong,
Due to the provisions of flesh and bread by the birds,
Who faithfully obeyed God’s commanding words.
This Biblical record illustrates how God can provide
For every need of those who trust Him to be their guide.
However, it also shows how God chooses to fulfil tasks,
By using parts of His creation who will do as He asks.
God could have performed a miracle to ensure Elijah was fed,
But He chose to use ravens to feed him instead.
We too can be God’s ravens if we will just obey,
He could use us to do great things if we’d trust Him day by day.
Maybe you can provide for those who are sick and sorrowing,
Or maybe you can give spiritual food to those who are hungering.
If God calls you to do a task you must obey without doubt,
For if you don’t it is possible that someone may go without.
For after all, we cannot expect God to do by miracle
What we could do by simply obeying His clear, commanding call.
By Judith Searle
Heavenly Glory
Words cannot begin to express
The Glory that does await
The soul who is trusting in Jesus
Beyond the pearly gate.
A mansion Christ does there prepare
For each one who will believe,
So in His splendour they can share
And Heavenly riches receive.
Will you join me there, my friend,
When your time on earth is done?
Where you will eternity spend
Depends on your response to God’s Son.
By Judith Searle 2010
His Will
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Does your life ever seem to be falling apart?
Does God sometimes feel so far away?
Do you feel as if He has forgotten about your heart?
And left you to wander astray?
At these times we must realize,
That God is in control.
Although it may not seem so to our eyes,
What He is doing is good for our soul.
He gives us what He knows we need,
What is necessary for our life.
We must trust Him and let Him lead,
Even through our times of strife.
God works in marvellous ways,
Whatever happens in our life is His will.
He is leading us down His pathways,
So His plans our life can fulfil.
If godly in Christ we are to live,
Then in our life persecutions must take place.
Just remember these things to us God did give,
And He will never give us more than we can face.
Out of love afflictions He gives us.
Out of love He gives to us pain.
So in your moments of crisis,
Praise His holy name.
No matter how large my troubles appear,
I know out of them God will deliver me.
For He has said for us to hear,
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
By Judith Searle
How Often We Forget
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
Psalm 106:13
How often we forget God’s holiness,
And iniquity in our hearts regard.
How often we forget God’s omnipotence,
And feel that a situation is too hard.
How often we forget God’s faithfulness,
To go before us and our paths reveal.
How often we forget God’s omniscience,
And our thoughts from Him we attempt to conceal.
How often we forget God’s promises,
To not leave nor forsake His precious saint.
How often we forget the admonition
To be not weary in well doing and faint.
How often we forget our helplessness,
That only through Christ do our lives have worth.
How often we forget God’s omnipresence –
That His eyes run to and fro throughout the earth.
How often we forget God’s commandment,
To love others as that which is our own.
How often we forget the truthful warning,
That we will reap that which we have sown.
How often we forget Christ’s sacrifice;
His suffering and shame upon the cross.
How often we forget Christ’s Great Commission,
To go out and preach the Gospel to the lost.
How often we forget eternity –
That we are just sojourners in this land.
How often we forget God’s divine justice –
That a day of reckoning is now at hand.
Sadly, we do often forget
And try not with all our might
To consider those things we should
And get our focus right.
By Judith Searle 2000
If There Was No God
If there was no God where would I stand?
All I know and believe would disappear.
My life would be without purpose,
And death would hold only fear.
There would be no hope for the future,
No promise of Christ coming again.
There would be no heavenly mansion,
Prepared by Jesus for God’s children.
However there is a God,
His presence is proclaimed everywhere I gaze.
He created man in His image,
With a soul that will live always.
Our lives do have a purpose,
The purpose of serving God alone.
And death need not be feared,
For Christ has prepared for us a heavenly home.
The future can look bright,
Our lives can contain joy and peace.
We can know that Christ is returning,
Our time on earth will one day cease.
Thankyou Lord for your goodness to us,
In making Your presence known.
Thankyou that we can live in peace,
Knowing we are never alone.
By Judith Searle
Jesus Set Me Free
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:7
I was once a slave to sin,
Until Jesus set me free.
I was a Child of the Devil,
Now I am part of a new family.
However, for me to be redeemed,
There was a price to pay.
Innocent blood had to be shed,
The death of Christ was the only way.
Although I am a sinner,
Christ made the greatest sacrifice for me.
His blood is sufficient to cover all my sin,
No matter how great it may be.
I have found forgiveness,
And you can find it too.
You can transfer your sins to Christ,
Who in return gives His righteousness to you.
The blood of Christ is sufficient,
It will cover any sin.
His forgiveness is freely offered,
To any who will call upon Him.
Have you been redeemed?
Or, are you still sin’s slave?
Jesus is waiting for you,
Your soul He alone can save.
By Judith Searle
Lord, What Would You Have Me Do?
Lord, what would You have me do with my life?
What paths would You have me to take?
Is my future to be a good wife?
Or, are there other steps You wish me to make?
Many gifts You have given me.
Many talents I have to use still.
May these gifts be used for Your glory,
And my talents used for Your will.
Please Lord, may my life fulfil Your plans.
Let my response to You never be "no".
For I put my life into Your hands,
Lead me wherever You would have me to go.
By Judith Searle
LORD, Who Am I?
David asks the question of the LORD:
Psalm 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
As I consider the world around me,
And the lives now lived or now past.
As I contemplate the God of eternity,
And His work so great and so vast.
There is a question I am troubled by;
That question is “LORD, who am I?”
LORD, who am I that Thou shouldest love me,
Even when lost and full of sin?
That Thou shouldest send Thy dear Son to set me free,
And give me joy and peace within?
Why did Christ willingly die in my place?
How am I worthy of such grace?
LORD, who am I that Thou shouldest show care,
And be willing to meet each need?
That Thou shouldest help me with the burdens I bear,
And through the troubles clearly lead?
Why is it that Thou relieveth my fears,
And bringeth comfort after tears?
LORD, who am I to approach Thy great Throne,
And have access to Thee in prayer?
That to Thee I may speak and make my requests known,
And know that I will be heard there?
Why has this privilege been granted to me?
LORD, really, what am I to Thee?
LORD, who am I that I should be blessed so?
To think of it my heart is stirred!
That I should freedom, health, friends and family know,
And have the Spirit and Thy Word?
Why I receive abundance from Thy hand,
I cannot seem to understand.
LORD, who am I that I question Thy way,
And consider Thy dealings cruel?
That I shouldest ever doubt, fear or from Thee stray,
And trust Thee not my life to rule?
Why is it that contented I’ll not be,
When Thou art watching over me?
What is man, oh LORD,
That mindful of him Thou art?
And the son of man,
That in his life Thou doest take part?
By Judith Searle
Love Your Enemies
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44
Luke 23:34
Sometimes it is not easy to love
Those who treat you ill,
However we must remember,
Loving others is part of God’s will.
The Bible commands that we love our enemies,
And this commandment we must obey.
We must do good to them that hate us,
And for those that persecute us pray.
While Jesus Christ hung upon the cross,
He prayed for those who put Him there –
For Pilate and the Romans,
And the crowd who stood by to mock and stare.
If Christ can pray for those that hate Him
While in such pain and agony,
Then surely we too can forgive
And love our own enemy.
So when we feel we cannot love,
Those who treat us wrong,
May we remember the Lord Jesus,
And His love ever so strong.
By Judith Searle
Not My Will God, But Yours
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalms 37:5
As I travel down life's pathways,
There are many decisions I have to make -
What will I do with the rest of my days?
What pathway will I take?
I can make these choices on my own,
I could do as I want to do.
I could ask God to leave my life alone,
And let me live the way I want to.
But how is God's work to be done,
If I will not follow where He leads?
How am I going to bring people to God's Son,
If I am too busy worrying about my own needs?
I know that God has a purpose for me,
And this purpose my life can fulfil,
If I will do His work whatever it be,
And follow in His will.
So when I have to choose the path I will take,
Let me first stop and pause.
And when I have decided on the choice I will make,
Let it be not my will God, but Yours.
By Judith Searle
Passing Through
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hebrews 11:13
We are just pilgrims passing through,
This world with it's hills and hollows.
Our time on earth is only short,
Compared to the eternity that follows.
Everything on earth will one day pass away,
Only living souls will remain.
So are you considering eternity?
Or only your earthly gain?
There are only two places a soul can go,
When this world is left far behind,
To heaven with its glory and splendour,
Or to hell where only torments it can find.
To which of these places is your soul going?
Could hell be the one?
For there is only one way to get to heaven,
That way is through God's Son.
Every person on earth has sinned,
And sinners must go to hell.
But God loves us so He devised a plan,
To save us from sin's spell.
He sent His Son, Jesus Christ,
Who hung on the cruel cross and died.
Now the price of our sin is paid,
Because God's Son was crucified.
However He is no longer dead,
For He rose again on the third day.
He is now in heaven at His Father's side,
And we can join Him there some day.
There is no sin that is too great,
Jesus died that all may be saved.
God has finished His part,
The pathway to heaven has been paved.
Salvation is a gift offered to all,
But to receive this gift is our part.
We must each believe what He has done,
And ask Jesus to come into our heart.
When we open the door to Jesus,
He will enter our life and make us new.
Then we can be comforted by the fact,
That in this world, we are just pilgrims passing through.
By Judith Searle
Take Heed
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10, 11
Take heed, oh ye Christian,
Give ear, oh ye Saint,
Be wary, oh ye Pilgrim,
Lest your testimony you taint.
This world is no haven,
It offers no rest.
It is full of snares and temptations,
Constantly, putting the Christian to the test.
We are engaged in a battle,
Against a powerful foe.
The Devil is strategically seeking
God’s Children to overthrow.
He sees our every weakness,
Our faults – he knows them all.
He will use any means he can,
To make the Christian fall.
Each day will bring new trials,
Ready for which we must be.
A battle is no place
To sit back and take it easy.
The moment we let our defences down,
The Devil’s host will attack.
God’s army affords no place,
For the Christian who is slack.
Christians, we must be strong in the Lord,
And in the power of His might.
We must put on the whole armour of God,
That we may be able to fight.
By Judith Searle
Teach Me
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
Lord, in humility Thee I beseech,
If it pleaseth Thee, Thy servant to teach,
Until pure understanding I do reach.
Teach me, Lord, what is the good and right way,
Those paths whereon Thou desire me to stay.
Guide each footstep so that I do not stray.
Teach the way of Thy statutes unto me.
Give me good judgment and knowledge of Thee.
Help me do Thy will whatever it be.
Teach me, Lord, how I ought to fear Thy name,
Who from the beginning hath been the same.
May my devotion to Thee never wane.
Teach me thy paths, O Lord,
Reveal to me Thy ways,
Lead me in the truth of Thy Word,
On Thee do I wait all my days.
By Judith Searle
The Creator's Hand
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psalms 19:1
When I gaze around me and see
All the sights my eyes behold,
I think of how great God must be,
For He made everything, I am told.
He made the fresh morning breeze,
That greets me when I awake.
He made the raging seas,
As well as the tranquil lake.
He made the sparrow that flitters in the sky,
And the hawk who glides.
He made the graceful butterfly,
And the treacherous mountain sides.
He made the dense woodland,
As well as the deserts sparse.
He made each grain of sand,
And each blade of grass.
In the making of all things around,
God's hand played a part.
Oh how His greatness does abound,
And this greatness on us He does impart.
For He that made the mountains tall,
Cares about the small things too.
He cares about each problem that does befall,
His children, like me and you.
Why should we be troubled about our strife,
When it is in the Creator's hands?
If He can create a world of life,
Surely He can take care of our plans.
For there is nothing too hard or unknown,
There is nothing God cannot do.
So put your faith in God alone,
For He will never fail you.
By Judith Searle
The Image of the Invisible
Many have tried to describe God
Using their finite mind.
Yet no matter how hard they try
Sufficient words they cannot find.
How are we to describe Him
Whom we have not seen?
How are we to comprehend
Such an eternal, infinite Being?
Moses sought to see Jehovah
And glimpsed His hinder parts.
But the Israelites drew not near
For fear was in their hearts.
Isaiah also saw the King –
The glorious LORD of Hosts.
On a throne He sat on High
And His voice moved the door posts.
Yet to the Old Testament Saints
God was distant and concealed,
But now in the person of Christ
He is openly revealed.
There is no longer any veil
Such as existed under the law.
God who dwells in inaccessible light
Is seen as never before.
The Image of the Invisible
Christ has become to us.
He lived and dwelt upon the earth
And men communed with Him thus.
Christ is God incarnate.
Our own Immanuel.
All of God yet all of man
With men on earth to dwell.
What a privileged position is ours
To have these hidden things made known.
Have you in the person of Christ –
Seen God’s glory and love shown?
Indeed He came to reveal
A God of love and grace.
Who stooped to earth in humility
To redeem a fallen race.
Within His precious Word
Behold Him now this day.
He is not beyond our reach
But near to any who in faith pray.
By Judith Searle 2009
The Lukewarm Church of Laodicea
Down a street I seldom trod
My path led me this day
And up ahead I saw a sight
That hastened me that way.
Multitudes swarmed about
A building, modern and new,
And as I neared this worldly hoard
The noise of the bass guitar grew.
Jeans and tee-shirts seemed the norm
Of this complacent crowd.
The latest fashions were paraded;
It seems anything was allowed.
Men coupled with men and women with women
Proudly passed me by.
They all entered in the doors
As I stood and wondered “Why?”
I scanned the building for a sign
To tell me the name of this place.
Above the door I read “Worship Centre”
And my mind began to race.
What worship could happen here –
Within this noise and shame?
Was it the worship of worldliness?
Of lust and money and fame?
A voice rang out, loud and clear,
From within those white-washed walls.
“We are rich and increased with goods,
And have need of nothing,” it calls.
Upon closer inspection I see a plaque
And in wonder I read this:
“The Lukewarm Church of Laodicea”.
Surely something is amiss!
Can this really be a church of God –
The Holy and Righteous One?
Could the Gospel here be preached?
And the truths taught by God’s Son?
As I puzzle over this perplexity
A lone figure catches my eye.
I see Him sadly approach the door
There to stoop and cry.
He has no particular comeliness;
His clothes are poor and plain,
But there is something in His countenance
That makes me look again.
He lifts a hand up to the door,
But does not enter in,
And knocks with a steady knock
That is barely heard above the din.
I notice as He knocks again
The scars upon His hands.
I stand transfixed to watch Him knock
As at the door He stands.
After much time He turns away
And I see His thorn pierced brow.
Then I hear the agony of His soul
In words that still haunt me now:
“Wretched, miserable, poor and blind;
Naked and in self-deceived shame.
Such has become of the people
Called out in my Name.
But if any man will hear my voice
And come out of this apostasy,
I will come and sup with him,
And he will sup with Me.”
By Judith Searle 2009
The Poet
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Writing a poem is no easy feat,
It takes hard work and patience before the poem is complete.
The poet must study each verse, word and line,
And ensure that the poem does consistently rhyme.
Words are replaced and lines removed,
As changes are made the poem is improved.
Finally, it is finished and the last change performed,
And the poet is happy with the piece of work formed.
Lord, I realize that a poet also are You,
Working hard on a piece of poetry too.
My life is the poem that You do form,
And each day this poem You continually transform.
You remove sin, sorrow and worldly pleasures,
To be replaced by joy and spiritual treasures.
You change the poem into what You want it to be,
Until You are happy with what You do see.
So, may I remember when changes come and my life You do test,
That You are the Poet and You know what is best.
By Judith Searle
The Power of Prayer
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18
When I was only a little girl I can recall,
My father teaching me how to pray.
He taught me the Lord's prayer and I knew it all,
And I would pray it every day.
But at this age I did not realize,
How important prayer can be.
It is more than just closing your eyes,
And speaking to someone you cannot see.
As I grew older in my youth,
My feelings began to stir.
Then one day I learned the truth,
And I asked the Lord to be my Saviour.
Now my prayers mean so much more,
For I know the One I am talking to.
I tell Him things I would never have before,
And I know He hears, which before I never knew.
I can now see that prayer holds power,
For it is our great God we are talking to.
So pray to God at any hour,
And place in His hands anything you do.
By Judith Searle
The Servant of the Servant
Humbleness, humility –
Is this the life for me?
Toil filled days with little praise –
Is this how it is meant to be?
To labour without reward;
Could you expect this, Lord?
Are You sure such isn’t too much?
Could this be all life will afford?
As these thoughts and doubts begin
The Spirit speaks within:
“Think of One, God’s only Son
And look what He did for your sin.”
Despite being King of Kings,
Creator of all things,
He came to earth without worth
Or the glory position brings.
He lived His life serving all.
There was no task too small.
Providing meat, washing feet,
Obeying willingly God’s call.
What a sacrifice He made
When our sin’s debt was paid.
Himself He gave, us to save.
His example’s before us laid.
To serve Him who died for me,
This clearly now I see –
To give such is not too much
The Servant’s servant I will be.
When all You ask me to do
And the trials I go through
Are faithfully, met by me
I’ve but done my duty to You.
Unprofitable am I,
Whether I live or die.
I’m Yours to use as You choose,
That I may Your name glorify.
By Judith Searle 2005
To Know Him
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 17:3
To know Him Who the world knew not
And worshipped not as Lord.
Who men reject, blaspheme and scorn,
Or foolishly pay no accord.
To know Him Who there is none like,
To Whom none can compare.
Who owns the earth and all therein
And Whose presence is everywhere.
To know Him Who hath made all men,
And knows each one by name.
Who knows the secrets of the heart
And the feebleness of our frame.
To know Him Who knoweth my ways,
And my soul when in strife.
Who forsakes not them that seek Him;
Who to find is eternal life.
How do we know that we know Him,
The Shepherd of His sheep?
Hereby do we know we know Him,
If His commandments we do keep.
Let this my prayer be,
That I may know Thee,
The true Holy One,
And Thy only Son.
This I pray, therefore,
That I may know Thee more.
By Judith Searle 2001
Where Are The Shining Lights?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
We live in a day of compromise,
Biblical standards are being overthrown.
Churches have turned their eyes from God’s holiness,
Seeds of righteousness are not being sown.
The Devil is out in full force,
For he knows that his time is short.
He is constantly laying snares for the Christian –
Sadly many good men have been caught.
The world is engulfed in his darkness,
Sin is abounding in every place.
Morals have fallen, family values have been forsaken,
The name of God has been disgraced.
After looking at the darkness of the world,
There is one question we must ask,
Where are God’s shining lights?
Are the Christians not fulfilling God’s task?
Jesus is the Light of the World,
But His light is not being shown,
For His light will only shine through Christians,
Who will stand up for Christ alone.
Christians we are not doing the job;
Could it be that we have lost concern?
We live in a world that is dying,
And the Lord is soon to return.
Or could it be that we are cowering in the corner,
Too scared to leave our secluded world of selfish desire?
Unwilling to forsake the pleasures of this world,
To stand for a cause that’s higher?
The church age is in its last days,
The throne of judgement is at hand.
It is now that Christians must arise,
Labourers are needed throughout this land.
Oh Lord please relight the fire,
That has gone out in many a heart.
Give us a passion for this dying world,
And a desire to fulfil our part.
The world is in its darkest days,
The Devil is opposed to all we do.
Lord give us strength to stand for Christ,
So that Christ’s light will shine through.
By Judith Searle
Why Fear?
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
As you lie in bed on a dreary night,
Surrounded only by the moon's faint light,
Your mind starts thinking about what is ahead,
And your heart suddenly fills with fear and dread.
What could the future hold for me?
Will I make the right choices in what to be?
What will happen if I make a mistake?
How am I to know what choices to make?
The fears overwhelm you and you feel only despair,
But these fears alone you do not have to bear.
For the Lord is there and we need not be afraid,
At His feet all our fears should be laid.
The Lord is our light and He will lead the way,
He will guide our paths so we do not go astray.
So why should we fear what the future will bring,
When it is in the hands of our God and King?
The Lord is our salvation; He saved us from sin,
We need only open our heart and let Him come in.
Since Jesus Christ died for us on Calvary's tree,
We have no need to fear eternity.
The Lord is the strength of our life,
So we need not fear when in times of strife.
He will be there to help us always,
And with His help we can get through any days.
When we have so much why should we fear?
Don't we know that the Lord is always near?
We must trust in Him to do His part,
Then fears will have no place in our heart.
By Judith Searle