Coming Home

Coming Home by Melissa M. (9-18-09)

So many things take our hearts and affections,
Distractions abound.
But nothing fulfills like the Word of God,
His grace will surround.
When wandering to wells deep but broken,
We drink empty foam.
Learning about Jesus, God in the flesh,
Is like coming home.

From Another Sore Fit by Anne Bradstreet

In my distress I sought the Lord 

When naught on earth could comfort give, 

And when my soul these things abhorred,

 Then, Lord, Thou said’st unto me, “Live.”

Thou knowest the sorrows that I felt; 

My plaints and groans were heard of Thee, 

And how in sweat I seemed to melt 

Thou help’st and Thou regardest me.

 

My wasted flesh Thou didst restore, 

My feeble loins didst gird with strength, 

Yea, when I was most low and poor, 

I said I shall praise Thee at length.

 

What shall I render to my God 

For all His bounty showed to me? 

Even for His mercies in His rod, 

Where pity most of all I see.

 

My heart, I wholly give to Thee; 

O make it fruitful, faithful Lord. 

My life shall dedicated be 

To praise in thought, in deed, in word.

 

Thou know’st no life I did require 

Longer than still Thy name to praise, 

Nor ought on earth worthy desire, 

In drawing out these wretched days.

 

Thy name and praise to celebrate, 

O Lord, for aye is my request. 

O grant I do it in this state, 

And then with Thee, which is the best.

 

' “ Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the LORD, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the LORD. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.' -Jeremiah 2:9-13

(Paintings by Benjamin Leader and James Tissot)