GATHERING

The Lord is glad to see His people gather

Emerging from their homes to come within

His own guest chamber, showing they choose rather

The suffering pathway than the way of sin;

In their desire to please Him they are led

To pay allegiance to their absent Head.

And they, assembled, see in one another

The Spirit's work, which cannot be denied,

Esteeming well each sister and each brother

As one for whom their Lord and Saviour died;

While they appreciate that every one

Is given by the Father to the Son.

They own Christ's claim acknowledging that whether

In life or death they are the Lord's; for He

To whom they raise their heart and voice together

Has operated that they might be free;

Since His great love had bound Him to fulfil,

Despite the depths of sorrow, all God's will.