son of Anath, Shamgar
ordained to holy war

ox goad in my hand
survey promised land

Philistines armed
no need for alarm

bound by crimson cord
to our strength – the LORD

His covenant love
through precious blood

the good shepherd's grace
His flock always safe

Father of mercies
His keeping certain

persevering grace
ever before His face

ox goad in my hand
by Christ's grace I stand

by God's mighty pow'r
sufficient ev'ry hour

by faith, not by sight
supernatural fight

six-hundred versus one
how can vict'ry come?

neither by flesh nor by blood
but weapons sent from above

by God's Spirit fully equipped
apart from Christ – wholly unfit

ox goad in my hand
in Immanuel's land

through strife and indignation
hear my sure profession

above taunts and roars:
"The battle is the Lord's!"

ox goad in my hand
outnumbered, outmanned

God's weapons mighty
through faith comes vict'ry

greater is He in us
Spirit bears us witness

my Ebenezer
resurrection pow'r

vain is self effort
war by His Spirit

no hope in my flesh
to fight wickedness

ox goad in my hand
on the Rock I stand

our keeper, the Creator
neither sleeps nor slumbers

pleading for His supply
on Christ alone rely

to world's Goliaths
faith is foolishness

His power in my weakness
the life of Jesus manifest

through our earthen vessels
praise to His excellence

ox goad in my hand
engraved on His hand

champion of the sheep
strength for the weak

take up Spirit's sword
the Word of the Lord

unchain and unleash
Lion of Judah release

God's full treasure store
let Him speak and roar

Spirit's fire emboldens
tearing down strongholds

eyes set on the prize
casting down lies

truth's banner uphold
glory to God alone

ox goad in my hand
in His armor, I stand

not by arm of flesh
but in Christ I rest

ox goad in my hand
His foes on sinking sand

all broken and crushed
in pieces vessels dashed

some tremble, kiss the Son and rejoice
those with brass brow will surely perish

Fellow Christian, in what spiritual battle are you currently engaged?

Are you fighting it in vain, through your own flesh, rather than by the Holy Spirit of God?

Galatians 5:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

 Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision,
which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus,
and have no confidence in the flesh.

II Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)

If I did not hear Your sovereign call:
"Of all My sheep, not one will irretrievably fall!"

If I did not hear Your true announcement:
"All My sheep will return, all the remnant!"

If I did not see Your promise beaming:
"All My sheep from all nations will come streaming!"

If I did not see Your eternal pleading:
"For you and all My sheep, I am ever interceding!"

If I did not feel Your comfort conveyed:
"I did not say to you and all My sheep, 'Seek Me in vain!'"

If I were not given spiritual sight,
If I could not see through Your light,
I would grow weary, give up the fight

If I were not given eternal sight,
If not strengthened with all Your might,
I would tire and faint, give up faith's fight

Immortal till my days are done at last
Through fierce tempest and enemies' blast
The Gospel net I will strive to cast

The Kingdom of God is like leaven
God's wisdom to worldly eyes hidden
To the elect, the aroma of heav'n

For Your sheep, by Your Spirit sustained
Through suffering, temptation and pain
 Rejoicing as Jesus Christ is proclaimed

In heavenly places sufficient grace is stored
In every trial and tribulation, mercy pours
Importunate cries are always heard, never ignored

Tasting and seeing Your goodness, glory and grace
Lightening my darkness, lifting Your countenance
Nourished by You, my portion, living sustenance

Jesus, here in Your yoke, peace found, I sweetly rest
Yet ever laboring, my eye on the harvest:
Worship to the slain Lamb, the joy of the elect

If I were not given spiritual sight,
If I did not see through Your light,
I would grow weary, give up the fight

If I were not given eternal sight
If not strengthened with all Your might,
I would tire and faint, give up faith's fight

My God, Your goings forth have been from of old
With unveiled face, Your glory I behold
Manifold mercies and graces untold

Through the lattice, a whisper and a glimpse
Confirming Your weary inheritance
Bless the Lord, who loads me daily with benefits

No longer consumed by the earthly
Looking beyond the seen to eternity
Glory to glory! I have received mercy!

From strength to strength, to Zion I ascend
On Christ alone I seek to depend
With You I sup, my exceeding joy, my friend

 

Colossians 1
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light...

Nary a whisper
The ceiling brass
Mephitic air
A terrible blast

Too, too many for me
Beyond measure pressed
Falling down on my knees
O, Lord, show me kindness

What gallish affliction
Tasting bitter, no sweet
For the sake of Your Son
Arise, awake, send relief

Hosanna in the highest
Hear Your child's cries
My prayer do not despise
Succor me from the skies

High priest interceding
My soul always keeping
For Your name's sake leading
O'er Bether come leaping

Upon my bed, sore I wept
Myriad temptations blew
Yet all Your promises You kept
Fire fell, my soul renewed

Downcast, forlorn, distressed
Alone in the wilderness
But no! - Glory dwelt in the midst
The Word spoke, my soul refreshed

By faith seven times I went seeking
To whom else could I be appealing
But the unseen God always seeing
The Spirit's sure seal guaranteeing

Little cloud like a hand
First a glimpse, then a drop
Then floods on thirsty land
Heavens rent, springs unstopped

Rain showers poured
My cup overflowed
Joy and peace restored
Sorrow transposed

My life and my light
Abundant supply
My exceeding delight
With You I am satisfied

Of Your pleasures deeply drinking
To heavenly realms translated
Into everlasting bliss sinking
Inebriated and intoxicated

Your face it shone
Bright like the sun
O, promised one
Into Your courts I run

Your love has captured
How can I stay silent
By the Beloved enraptured
Fed with clusters from Canaan