THE SON OF MAN

As come from God but here on Man’s behalf
Christ usually called Himself “ the Son of Man”.
Throughout the days He walked His pilgrim path
He was approachable to every class
And undeterred by nation, race or caste:
Syrophoenician or loathed Samaritan
Were beneficiaries of virtuous acts.
This is the One who has been seen to stand
Ready to act again from God’s right hand.
The Son of Man will soon be in command;
Coming in clouds of power He will take charge:
Men will enjoy His perfect governance.

THE SON OF DAVID

Blind Bartimeus while sitting by the wayside
Loudly implored the Lord, the Son of David,
To give him sight, the blessing He was craving:
When he was healed children began proclaiming
The Son of David who came as King and Saviour.
The Pharisees averse to their displacement
Rejected Him for them and for the nation.
But God had promised that there would be no failure
Of David’s throne - so Jesus is awaiting
The time when Israel will gain salvation;
Meanwhile we Gentiles who have no rights by nature
Acquire our blessing through Israel’s betrayal.

FOOD

He gave Himself; now He provides Himself.
Christ is the substance of all that nourishes
Those who are His and whom He cherishes;
He is the Manna which graciously descends,
Fine, granular, upon the wilderness
Sustaining where conditions are adverse.
The Old Corn of the Land is nourishment
Within the realm where He Himself has led
Outwith the power and influence of death.
For all His own He is the living Bread:
Souls only who have fed upon His flesh
And drunk His blood have life within themselves.

SUN

Since He accomplished all the redeeming work
And since it is the right of His own worth
The Lord is set on the Father's throne above:
In that position Christ Jesus is the hub
Of a new system to which He is the Sun ‑
He orders each in his own orbit's curve.
If we are true no influence will perturb
No falling star will move us or disrupt
But we shall share the benefits of love:
To gain His light where once we had been dull,
To gain His warmth where bitter frosts occurred,
To gain His peace which nothing can disturb.

TREE

The Tree of Life planted within the garden
Was even then attractionless to Adam
And when at length the Lord was seen in manhood,
One Sprout of green, within a desert landscape,
Men saw no beauty and found Him unattractive.
But by God's grace saved from the power of darkness
Our taste is changed with all our hearts' reactions
So that to Christ our new affections answer:
We are replete in scenes that once seemed barren.
We love the Olive Tree whence we gain fatness;
We love the sweetness hung in the Fig Tree's branches;
We love the Vine which moves our hearts to gladness.

THE ROCK

He is my Rock in whom I can confide;
Ensconced within the warmth of its defile,
Safe from the storm and Satan's foul device.
I build on Him according to design:
Where could I build except on Jesus Christ?
God took me up and set me on these Heights,
Transformed my gait: I now have feet like hinds’!
But, no mere base or timeless place to hide,
Out of itself the smitten Rock provides
Abundant water imbuing me with life,
Abundant oil enduing me with light,
Abundant honey to sate my appetite.

We'll having a few, if the Lord will, from "Touching the King". (They have the TTK tag.)

20/01/05

What a blessing that
In every circumstance
There is cause to praise.

19/01/05

Mark loves to show us
The Man of whom they could say
"He does all things well!”

18/01/05

Snow transforms the world
In the nearest to magic
That God allows us.

17/01/05

God provided in
Christ a Man who has never
Taken a shortcut.

16/01/05

Colin has come to
The Saviour - and the Saviour
Has come to Colin.






Again - one day, I trust, it was you!

15/01/05

Keep yourself conscious
That there is a Person who
Did nothing amiss.

14/01/05

Judging light and form
The photographer secures
Life beyond lifetimes.

SATISFACTION

God’s love has found its
Satisfaction in saints who
Have eternal life.

PRAYER

(To a Brother)

The finest commendation is the first:
That Jesus, as come into manhood, prayed;
Thus in a perfect Man a perfect thirst
For speaking to the Father was portrayed.
And since then generations of His saints
Sought for their Father or their Lord to tell
Their needs and thoughts - and even their complaints -,
Were listened to, and knew that all was well.
Since Jesus as a Man could understand
Our need for prayer He made it His command;
The Father has expressed His love to hear
The voices of His sons as they draw near;
So let us go, leaning on another,
To confidently speak to Him, my brother.

HEAD

His head is the only head
Which God’s crown of glory fits;
For the thoughts in it -
The mind - attained the level
Of the glory of God
Whether men crowned it with thorns
Or love anointed it.

FACE

Angel's who behold Christ's visage
In its majesty and grace
Know a sinner has repented
By the joy in Jesus' face.

STANDING

The Son of God, who did God’s will,
The Son of Man, who came to die,
The Son of David, Christ, stood still
In answer to a beggar’s cry.

The Man who is the Lord of all,
Who soon will reign in equity,
Stood prisoner in the judgment hall
Of one steeped in iniquity.

He stood as the Victorious One
Within the circle of His own
Bringing His peace since all was done
By which the Father might be known.

Soon He will come to claim His right
And stand upon the sea and land;
All shall be set for His delight
And all shall prosper in His hand.

SHEEP

“My sheep,” said Jesus,
“Know, my voice, and I know them,
And they follow me”.

PROGRESS XV

But where God wished a sanctuary
He quickly found idolatry
As Israel's fervour failed;
Though you may have the greatest light
You need still to maintain its height
For it will be assailed.

The time was long, the bondage sore,
The word occasional before
Recovery came in;
Oh Christian soul, do not relax
For joys will wane and sorrows wax
As you make way for sin.

For when the conquest would restart
God found a man after His heart
Who would do all His will;
As Christ in beauty fills our view
Abundant blessing will ensue
Through what He will fulfil.

David, through all life's storms and calms
Distilled experience into psalms
For God's unending praise;
And Christ now, as He moves and tends
Our souls wakes worship which ascends
In anthems that we raise.

Affection and affliction shared
In the material prepared
For what his son would build;
Love answers love to bring us near
While suffering shapes how we appear
So that God's house is filled.

See the resplendent house unfold,
With all its plenitude of gold,
Which Solomon has made;
See the grand place that Christ has wrought,
Formed by the persons He has brought
And sumptuously arrayed.

The ark that graced the desert sand
And led them in the promised land
Is finally at rest;
Christ is before the Father's face,
Appreciated in His grace,
And in Him we are blest.

Trumpets and singers in accord
Proclaim the glory of the LORD:
The house fills with the cloud;
Now glory fills the courts above
And sons praise with united love,
Reverent, but uncowed.

Let hallelujahs now resound
Unto the LORD for He has crowned
The work He had begun;
Praise Him by whom all was conceived,
And now the matchless deed's achieved,
Determined, dared, and done.

END

The final two lines have been taken from "A Song for David" by Christopher Smart

PROGRESS XIV

Gilgal's the first place they approach;
They're circumcised; and the reproach
Of Egypt's rolled away;
The circumcision of the Christ
In moral working has sufficed
To clear a heavenly way.

Another cause to celebrate
Was when the sons of Israel ate
The old corn of the land;
The heavenly Man sustains the thought
Of heavenly persons who are brought
To take a heavenly stand.

Led by the ark the people go
Around the walls of Jericho
Daily, for seven days;
No other ensign is unfurled
Than Christ, to overcome the world
Which seeks to thwart God's ways.

They shout, and the ensuing fall
Of Jericho's surrounding wall
Brings Rahab forth to life;
In conflicts which the soul endures
It rests in this: God's love ensures
His spoil from any strife.

Defying what God had decreed
Achan was lured by fatal greed
For things that were accursed:
Although the world's defeated now
Its things still harm when we allow
Temptations as at first.

Directed by Jehovah's hand
Israel battle for the land
God promised long ago;
Combat in prayer; let grace abound;
And, by the Spirit's power, gain ground
From our insidious foe.

Caleb, whom God had caused to live,
Called for the place they were to give
Despite the Anakim;
The Lord provides a heavenly place
Now, through the Spirit's power, and grace,
For those who trust in Him.

At Caleb's challenge Othniel took
Debir, the city of the book,
And Achsah was his prize;
Now vigorously overthrow
Man's wisdom - and God's love will show
Fresh blessings to your eyes.

When Caleb gave a southern land
He blessed, at Achsah's fresh demand,
Upper and lower springs;
In spiritual or moral thought
It's by the Spirit that we're brought
To life in holy things.

PROGRESS XIII

Joshua has assumed the lead;
Victuals are cooked on which to feed;
The ark fills Israel's view;
Christ formed in you may be your guide;
Christ is the food God will provide;
Christ is the Way for you.

Although the Jordan overflows
The priest-borne ark serenely goes
Into the watercourse;
The One who is the Prince of life
Has boldly entered into strife
Against death's awesome force.

O Jordan, why do you retreat
The moment that these priestly feet
Rest in your water's flow?
O death, why do you taste defeat?
The work of Christ is so complete
It quells our ancient foe.

Now as the Israelites embark
As following Jehovah's ark
The river's bed is dry;
With Christ our Saviour we have died:
Baptised, we are identified
With One who came to die.

As Israel stands on Canaan's shore
'The Jordan flows on as before
With undiminished tide';
Now we enjoy our heavenly tryst
As 'buried we, and raised with Christ
Stand on the other side'.

PROGRESS XII

Jehovah showed that He was glad
The daughters of Zelophehad
Claimed their inheritance;
Claim the rich blessings there for you.
Confident that what will ensue
Is heavenly jubilance.

After such fervour it is sad
That those of Reuben and of Gad
Prefer a lower place;
Go on to all the good that's yours
Because of all God's heart assures
In its unbounded grace!

The half tribe of Manasseh found
They too were allocated ground
Upon the eastern bank;
In all the good He will provide,
In land, or family, or bride,
You have the Lord to thank.

Now Moses, at the LORD's command
Climbs Pisgah to survey the land
Where Israel shall dwell;
So, by the Spirit, we may view
The blessings God will bring us to
Since He does all things well.

He saw the end of his pursuit,
Seeing it lived in, yet his foot
Would never tread its loam;
Authority may bring you near
The blessings of the heavenly sphere
But love must draw you home.

PROGRESS XI

Travelling by ways He has prepared
They gather, for God had declared
He'll water them at Beer;
We move with God, obediently;
We assemble to Him, faithfully;
He gives refreshment here.

Well, that Jehovah told about;
Well, that the nobles hollowed out:
Rise up! Respond to it!
Praise now the Spirit as He springs
Within your heart; the Christian sings
For surely that is fit.

Victoriously they now unclog
The lands of Sihon and of Og,
Beginnings of the land;
Defying pride and laziness
Go, with God's favour, to possess
Good given by God's hand.

Hear Balaam, from the rocks, confess
This is a people God will bless
And which shall dwell alone;
Rejoice, ye saints, in heaven's view
Of separated Christians who
Are unknown yet well known.

God has not seen iniquity
In Israel, but the quality
Of what His love has wrought;
God loves to see His saints "in Christ",
In dignity which has sufficed
To answer to His thought.

How goodly, Jacob, are your tents!
How good the view the camp presents
To one with opened eyes;
How good the people of the Lord
Who congregate, with one accord,
In more than nature's ties.

But Israel falls to sin, alas,
Until the spear of Phinehas
Has executed wrath;
For sin assails us constantly
And must be dealt with ruthlessly
For all who take this path.

Moses and Eleazar count
The generation that will mount
The invasion of the land;
Our God rejoices to record
A generation like their Lord
To share what He has planned.

Since God has kept them both alive
Caleb and Joshua survive
All that might overwhelm;
Trust that the Lord will bear you through
And grace and power assure that you
Will come within His realm.

PROGRESS X

As in the wilderness at first
The people murmur about thirst
With blasphemous complaints.
For life you must not only think
Of blessings, but must daily drink
What God provides His saints.

Israel's blessing would ensue
From God when Moses speaks unto
The rock before their eyes;
Speak to the One following the flock
And you have water from the Rock
In bountiful supplies.

Dishonouring Jehovah's name
Moses was tinged with lasting blame
And failed to reach the land;
Jesus alone is fit to lead
As true to God in every deed,
As Christians understand.

Then the impatient people said
That their souls hated the "light bread"
Jehovah's goodness gave.
We find our hearts can be enticed
Through flesh to disregard the Christ
Who gave Himself to save.

But what the pains they underwent
From fiery serpents which God sent!
And many people died.
For still there operates within
The working of the power of sin
Which must be mortified.

Moses is told by God to make,
And set upon a pole, a snake
And all who look will live;
Faith apprehends that it is in
His Son that God condemns our sin
Which He cannot forgive.

Now are effectual journeying days
For those who've held within their gaze
The serpent on the pole;
As Christ is fixed before your sight,
Christian, you travel towards the light,
Since He has made you whole.

PROGRESS IX

First they rebelliously refuse
To go; and then to wait; and lose
Their lives at Hormah's heights;
Oh Christian, learn to fear the flesh
And judge it as it makes each fresh
Revolt against God's rights.

Despite the will, or flaws, of men
Immediately God speaks of "when
Ye come into the land".
Although temptation may assail
And we, in human weakness, fail
God's purposes will stand.

Despite their errors which God loathes
He marks them out, because their clothes
All bear a lace of blue;
Though here on earth still you may roam
The truth that heaven is your home
Is constantly in view.

But quickly Korah and his band
Claim that they have a right to stand
And offer priestly fire;
Religious flesh desires to seize
A place with God; it will not please
Or answer His desire.

All whom vain-glory caused to strive
For pride were swallowed up alive
And sank into the ground;
There is no feature of the mind,
However speciously refined,
That God will not confound.

The prince of each of Israel's tribes
Must bring a staff, as God prescribes,
To find whom He approves;
To quell in us the flesh's strife
God now will demonstrate the life
In which His Spirit moves.

Here is God's answer to their strife:
The power of resurrection life
In Aaron's budding rod;
Who, with His company, has sufficed
To act in priestly order? Christ,
The risen Son of God.

PROGRESS VIII

The Israelites now bake and beat
The manna given them to eat
Each morning on the dew;
Oh! Christian, pray you will not tire
Of Christ, who's worthy to acquire
Increasing worth to you!

They lust for meat - and soon you see
The quails Jehovah sent; yet He
Put leanness in the soul;
Judge lust by which you will not feed
On Christ, who answers every need
And makes the Christian whole.

When Moses' siblings' jealousy
Results in Miriam's leprosy
How fervently he pleads!
How well, when sins seems to enmesh,
Through sin that's working in the flesh
Our Patron intercedes!

They chose a man from every tribe
To find what blessings they describe
In spying out the land;
The Spirit helps you to explore
God's purposes, though they are more
Than you can understand.

While all affirm the land is good
And bring back samples of its food
Most make the people cower;
God's thought are good, and He has stRength
To bring you to His land at length
In spite of Satan's power.

But Caleb makes the people still
Assuring them that by God's will
The land will yet be theirs;
As we, obediently, employ
Our faculties we may enjoy
All that God's love confers.

PROGRESS VII

A chastened people now imparts
Wealth for the tent, because their hearts
Are willing, and are wise;
Recovered by God's grace, provide
For His place, where God may abide,
In spiritual supplies.

And soon, upon the desert sands,
The anointed tabernacle stands,
Enfolded in the cloud;
Now, by the Spirit, have a part
In what will answer to God's heart,
Spiritually endowed.

And now a priestly family
Begin to function comelily
According to God's ways;
Thus persons who are sanctified,
Influenced by Christ as glorified,
Begin to give God praise.

And should the camp remove, observe
The separated Levites serve
Under the priest's command;
Take opportunities God brings
To bear the consecrated things,
Lifting up holy hands.

Disdaining any human guide,
Israel, see the ark provide
The way for you to go;
Discounting man and all his views
Following Jesus you must choose
The road that He will show.

PROGRESS VI

Before they build their sanctuary
See Israel's idolatry
Before the calf of gold;
Despite your blessings, Christian, start
To learn the evil of your heart
And see its wiles unfold.

How good that Israel can count
On Moses who, upon the mount,
Is near to God to plead;
How good, failed Christian, that you can
Depend on the ascended Man
Who lives to intercede.

Observe how Levi righteously
Enacts God's word judicially
And does not spare the sword;
Despising claims of blood and flesh
When their entrapments would enmesh,
Be zealous for the Lord!

The Levites, who will not relent,
Now leave the camp towards the tent
Which is their separate tryst;
And, Christians, that we might be found
Before the Lord on righteous ground
We must go forth to Christ!

PROGRESS V

When Moses has inscribed these truths
Taking up priestly work the youths
Make sacrifice to God;
As stony tables of the heart
Are graven with God's words, saint, start
To sound His praise abroad.

After his reading Moses took
The blood to sprinkle men and book
To seal the covenant;
For the new covenant to take place
The blood of Jesus forms the base
Of all that God will grant.

Where He appeared in clarity
The Israelite nobility
Saw God and ate and drank;
By faith you can approach God now
And know that He to whom you bow
Confers the highest rank.

Now Moses goes before God's face
To take the mediator's place
And thus receive God's plan;
You may know all God chose to think
Of you because you have a link
In the ascended Man.

And God shows He desires to dwell
Among His people Israel
Between the cherubim;
The Lord's desire is to reside
In His own house, and there abide
In settings fit for Him.

Jehovah shows His dwelling should
Be centred on an Ark of wood
That's overlaid with gold;
A house that's suited to God's plan
Must have its centre in that Man
Whose worth cannot be told.

And each of the acacia boards
Upon its silver stands affords
Some structure for the tent;
Men fashioned after Christ provide
The dwelling where God may abide,
Eternally content.

And it is the divine intent
That boards and curtains of the tent
Should constitute one whole;
The dwelling suited to the Lord
Has saints in heavenly concord
Conjoined in heart and soul.

And God desires that Israel
Should furnish the materiel
To form His dwelling place;
For Christ desires that He should dwell
Amid the sacred personnel
Configured by His grace.