If I look, do I have love
If I shrink from bringing God's Word from above?

If I look, do I show care
If the Gospel of God's grace I shun to declare?

If I look, do I bring aid
If I do not God's whole counsel boldly proclaim?

If I look, am I true
If I do not speak the truth in love to you?

If I look, can I refrain
If I see sin crouching at your door like Cain's?

If I look, I must beseech
If I see wolves creeping in among the sheep

If I look, am I bona fide
If I watch you slip and backslide?

If I look, can I stay quiet
If I see you fallen in a pit?

If I look, am I real
If I withdraw and conceal?

If I look, am I kind
If I do not direct you to the true Vine?

If I look, should I not employ
Every means to lead you to everlasting Joy?

If I look, do I hold you dear
If I remain muzzled, captivated by fear?

If I look, do I show Christ
If I dare to compromise?

If I look, and do not warn
How will the doctrine of our Savior be adorned?

If I look, see you walk down Sheol's path
How can I not speak of the Lamb's wrath?

If I look, and not notify
My blood will surely be required

If I look, see you turn and leave
Know that I will also grieve

If I look, and watch you depart
Know that it will break my heart

Deliver me, deliver me from evil schemes
The power of death encompasses me

The pangs of Sheol lay hold of me
O, LORD my God, deal with me bountifully

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At Jordan rest, be at peace
Be quiet, await the Paraclete

From your fleshly labor cease
Be still, be silent, anxieties release

Arise, do good, from all evil depart
He shall descend to strengthen thine heart

Nothing from Christ's love can separate
God's help will appear never too late

To the thicket, lift your eyes and see
The Lamb of God who died for thee

Your name is sealed on His heart
Lovingkindness shall never depart

Though men may curse and may abuse
Nothing can God's cords of love loose

Let Jesus' truth be your buckler and shield
To devilish lies never heed nor yield

To God's sure promises, look and appeal
Who can break the eternal Spirit's seal?

All tribulations inspected by His arm
Not one intended for your harm

My child, every wave and every flame
By your Father's sovereign love ordained

Satan's weapons intended to steal, destroy
All decreed at God's inscrutable employ

Beside each tear God deems to appoint
Flows His Holy oil to fill and anoint

Faith's testing coming through the fire
For the glory of the Jesus, the Sanctifier

Sorrowing under the foolish and unjust
To the just Judge yourself fully entrust

Do not fear anything that is frightening
Repay not evil for evil, nor reviling for reviling

Vengeance is the Lord's, He will repay
Wait on Him until Judgment Day

Look to the Savior shining upon the mount
Your enemies forgive, their sins do not count

Seek the wisdom pure and peaceable,
Gentle, sincere, kind and merciful

Recompense Shimei's stones and cursings
With a cup of cold water for his thirstings

Man's carnal wrath obscures God's glorious light
Sink into Christ's holiness, in His truth delight

Your anxious heart be directed into Christ's undying savor
In fiery trial, patiently wait to taste His refreshing favor

Be ever diligent, for the devil prowls to sow
Let not a bitter root of unforgiveness grow

Be overcome with goodness, not with rage
Divine sustenance for your pilgrimage

Humbly speaking truth in love, be fully assured
In hope of God's glory, unashamed and secure

In the LORD continually delight, be patient, do not fret
Will He Who upheld from the womb ever tire or forget?

In the midst of your tribulation, firmly stand
See your Advocate at your Father's right hand

Whether men curse or whether they bless
Your identity is found in Christ's righteousness

On your affliction the Lord does look
Abide with Him, be refreshed at His brook

Celestial stream from the rock of flint
In darkest pestilence, a glimmer, a glint

The Beloved unknown in the quake, wind or fire
But in a whisper, "My bride, the King's desire."

Come barren, thirsty, weary child
Drink of Christ, behold His smile

Extend your arms to God, lift up your soul
Grace and glory will fill your cup and overflow

In hottest fire, in highest tide
You remain the apple of His eye

Through every poison dart and arrow
His eye remains on you, o dear sparrow

In the valley of death's shadow, do not fear
Deeper knowledge of Christ comes through suff'ring and tears

Rest in the LORD and patiently wait
From anger cease and wrath forsake

Be not afraid, go where Providence calls
He will never leave you, nor let you fall

You know His name, trust in Him alone
He will satisfy, His salvation He will show

In your weakness, let His right hand uphold
He is your Shepherd, you are in His fold

Dwell with Him amidst the ruthless
Come and eat of His daily faithfulness

Living stone, carried upon His breast
Here in Baca's valley receive His strength

Hid with Christ in the secret place
Covenant mercies will never forsake

Covered with His feathers there
Cast on Him each worry, ev'ry care

On eagle's wings He will surely bear
Deliver you from the fowler's snare

Trust in Him, on Christ never fail to rely
Draw near to your God, and He will draw nigh

Call upon Jesus in time of need
He will never break the bruised reed

Eat His bread, drink His cup
Behold His beauty, be lifted up

Though enemies growl and surround
Sing to the LORD, let your praises abound

Though an army encamps all around
By grace press on, and grace will abound

By His blood, approach the throne of grace
There you will feel His strong embrace

Wait for the Beloved's hand on the latch
From His hand no one can ever snatch

Though by Shimei you be cursed
Come to Jordan and be refreshed

Psalm 110:7
He will drink from the brook by the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.

"...whatever poison Satan produces, God turns it into medicine for His elect."
~ John Calvin ~