strange treasures in this world appear...

This old hymn has rolled over and over in my car this week and seems to grow sweeter each time. If this is the field where hidden lies the pearl of greatest price, it must be of infinite value, no matter its appearance upon first glance.


Laden With Guilt
Lyrics: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Laden with guilt and full of fears,
I fly to Thee my Lord,
And not a glimpse of hope appears,
But in Thy written word
The volumes of my Father's grace
Does all my griefs assuage
Here I behold my Saviour's face
In every page

This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl his own
Here consecrated waters flow
To quench my thirst of sin
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows
No danger dwells within

This is the judge that ends the strife
Where wit and reason fail
My guide to everlasting life
Throughout this gloomy vale
O may Thy counsels, mighty God
My roving feet command
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to Thy right hand

The Israelites: He Will Provide

Themes sometimes tend to dominate for a season.

I think when the Lord is seeking to get a particular message across, He brings clarity by allowing different aspects of His Word to hit us all at once from many directions. For me, the most recent theme can be summed up by the words of this song about the children of Israel. It's an older song I first heard several years ago, but today the Lord used it once again to speak in power:

Exodus

breathing in this desert air
grumbling voices fill my ears
a month of freedom in my hand
i thought it would be different here

though in bondage i was full
i wanted to be free
yet here i am in need of you
Lord, come provide for me

I am here, wipe away your tears
I am here, I will provide
I will provide with My bread of life
I will provide, I will provide, I am here

this evening i think of the land
that i was freed from once again
but this time i know i will see
Your glory in the morning

as the dew is lifted from the ground
revealing bread of heaven for your child
i find that there's enough to meet my needs
but to gather it up isn't easy

I am here, wipe away your tears
I am here, I will provide, I will provide

Psalm 77:19 "Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters; yet Your footprints were unseen." Lord, even when Your footprints are unseen, will You give faith enough to follow? Your Name is Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord Will Provide."