THE COVERING OF THE ARK

Hands of the priests alone could touch the Ark
To robe it in the glory of the veil
And safety of the badgers' skins to embark
Across the wilderness's arid trail;
But all was swathed in blue. The sombre tones
Of all around as it went forth to seek
A resting place through desert sand and stones
Show once again the Ark to be unique.

And thus the heavenly Man moved in a scene
Foreign to Him; but if He laid aside
Some of His glories His distinctive mien
Showed heavenly grace which flesh could never hide.

While each true Israelite, in heaven's view,
Should also wear a thread of heavenly blue.

THE MERCY-SEAT

The Ark of God upheld the Mercy‑seat
Where stretched the pinions of the cherubim:
From here the word of God, and men, can meet
Since God had found all suitable to Him.
All was of gold; and all God's righteousness
Set forth for men in mercy may unfold.
God has secured an avenue to bless
From this place forth: since blood was on the gold.
God's rights in mercy have been fully met
Because the blood of Jesus has sufficed
To satisfy the heart of God and set
Him free to speak to every man in Christ.

Eternally God has before His sight
The blood of Him in whom He has delight.

THE MATERIAL OF THE ARK

Out of the wilderness, yet sap‑embrued,
As if it grew where it did not belong
The acacia seasoned to acacia wood:
"How pliable, how durable, how strong!"
Yet see one's skilful workmanship enfold
Wood, measured to its own distinctive marque,
Inside and outside, with the finest gold
To integrate one vessel, God's own Ark.

We see perfection in humanity,
Suitable to sustain and to express
The glory inherent in divinity
Even while journeying in the wilderness.

Beholding One so near, and yet beyond
All human thought, we willingly respond.

THE ARK AT THE JORDAN

Why do the mighty Jordan's waters turn?
Does a great barrier thwart their onward urge
Or some vast tempest's concentration spurn,
For once, the vigour of its downward surge?
No. Just an Ark. Its littleness prevails:
Though men might deem it insignificant
Yet by God's power its presence countervails
Where flood before were always dominant.

Only a man to men's self‑holden sight,
The Christ advanced to meet death's awesome power;
And through God's strength and His inherent right
Quelled it and freed men it once forced to cower.

For while death's torrent rages as before
We stand with Christ upon the other shore.

VOYAGE

Feet clang on the rock,

Clunk on the soils:

The Waste Land.

Star guides,

Lightly crystalline,

To the waterside.

Escape! Escape!

Sound the waves:

Sound the heartbeats.

Feet tread the boards:

The ship of faith;

The ship of fools.

Who held my hand, boarding?

Mercy to the left;

Grace to the right.

What would have held me?

Satan’s tentacles, without me;

Lusts and fears: parasites.

The Morning Star guides,

Lightens,

Attracts the eye.

We launch towards it.

The rowers keep pace,

Mercy and grace.

Hope at the prow

Watching and calling

Hosannahs and warnings.

But O the misadventures –

Rock and tides – as I

Was a skill-less helmsman.

Who would deliver me?

My eyes must fix on the star;

My hand be fixed by the Pilot.

But what wrestling, what

Arm-wrestling; till my arm,

Under the Pilot’s hand, rests.

The river splays:

Salt tangs the spume;

We plunge through surf.

Onward, onward

Guided by the high Star,

By the chart, by the Pilot.

Towards Colosse,

There to freight the boat

With bright nuggets.

Towards Corinth

There to take on

Firm building material.

Towards Ephesus,

There to gain a lading

Of precious stones.

And at Philippi – true,

Noble, just, pure, amiable gems,

Of good report.

Port by port, all

My crew’s fervour ditching

Useless ballast.

Forward, forward

Till the Sun breaks upon

The desired haven!

“Let them give thanks unto Jehovah

For his loving-kindness

And for his wondrous works

To the children of men.”

"MY WORD"

Isaiah 55: 11;  Thess 3: 1

Let me, I pray thee, run,

Begged Ahimaaz.  And he went,

Dove to its cote.  He ran well

But with no news

Suited to him.  Turn aside,

David said.  Void.

But when the word ran,

A cheetah fixed towards its prey,

From a dying Saviour

To a dying thief, it accomplished

Glory.

A dog runs patiently, wearing down

Its prey.  Saul fled the word

Worrying him, snapping

At him.  Grounding him

It accomplished glory.

That which God pleased

Pleased God.

STRAITENING

Do clouds gather, dimness
And grimness oppress?
He has known the darkness.

Does the way narrow?  Cliffs
Loom over you?
How He was straitened!

Do you feel pressures -
Impinging, slow or quick?
He knew Gethsemane.

17/12/2017