THE ARK (II)

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 (I)

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.

EARTH

Hewn forms; formations sculpted
Into grand beauties or grotesque grandeurs;
Softer mouldings ‑ curves and slopes,
Green with life; and the dark oceans
And white waters surging without
And springing within; crags, plains,
Swamps, meadows, savannahs, deserts,
Earth comprises. For man, carved
Arena of his actions, evoking
God's operations. God's flood
Clearing one scene conforms rock,
Water and soil to freshly construe
A place for the sons of men to be:
A place for the Son of God to effect
Purposes of God conceived outwith
Time, sin, earth and man.

PRAYER FOR MY SON

Lord, as I watch this little lamb
I ask you first to shepherd me
Since as Thy wayward sheep I am
As prone to wandering as he'll be.

Help us to feed among Thy sheep
Where both of us will know Thy care;
Protect us, water us, and keep
Our footsteps from the lion's lair.

But he himself will need to learn
The way his Shepherd had to go
And in his heart himself discern
The reason for his Shepherd's woe.

Help him to learn the Shepherd's voice
And follow in the Shepherd's way
Till he will constantly rejoice
In what his Shepherd has to say.

And bring him safely home at last
Secure eternally from harm
Where no wolves roam and no winds blast
Within the shelter of Thine arm.

He's not such a little lamb now!

BLESSINGS

I thought I deserved
Few; God showed that I deserved
None ‑ but gave me all.

The best of this earth
I would have chosen: God gave
No less than heaven.

"Blessed" would have sufficed:
But God was not satisfied
Without "blessed...in Christ".

COMPASSIONS

If your way is fresh and bright,

If your way is dank and strange,

If you move from gloom to light

His compassions never change.

Though the way ahead seems dark,

Though the foe seems to prevail,

Or you’re buoyant as a lark

His compassions never fail.

When oppressions press the brain,

When you need a heavenly Friend,

When your heart is full of pain

His compassions never end.

CARE

He held me in His strong embrace

Displaying His unbounded grace -

How much the Father cares for me!

Although I had been so remiss

He welcomed me with many a kiss -

How much the Father cares for me!

He did not question me, or probe,

But clothed me in His finest robe -

How much the Father cares for me!

Love more than I can understand

Put a gold ring upon my hand -

How much the Father cares for me!

So that my comfort was complete

He gave me sandals for my feet -

How much the Father cares for me!

He did all this on my behalf:

And then He shared the fatted calf -

How much the Father cares for me!

IN MEMORIAM

We thought we knew the way the river went

Until well-laden waters reached the seas -

We thought we saw its fertile green extent

Broadening through fields and valleys, crops and trees.

God had another thought - it suddenly

Dropped seaward in a rushing cataract -

His vision and His wisdom rapidly

Brought it to His broad sea. This was His act.

Within love’s ocean she is now at rest,

Guarded by Him through whom she is asleep;

Since One she trusted and whom she confessed

Endured the anguish of the greatest deep.

And when He comes - her Lord and Lord of all -

She will spring forth in answer to His call.