Stories of Faith

Who is He who spread the heavens?
Who is He who formed the sun?
Who started time, established seasons?
By His word the stars were hung

Who is He Who holds all breath?
Whene’er He blows, the mountains shake
Who lives forever, rules o’er death?
His works are great, with no mistake

Who is He who knows each thought?
Who sees within the heart of man?
What miracles His hand has wrought!
Search out His wonders, if you can

Who is He, forever righteous?
Who could stop the King of all?
He rules with justice and forgiveness
‘Fore His throne all nations fall

Who is He Who holds the wind
Within a garment, holds the sea
Gives recompense to those who sinned?
He binds in chains, and He sets free

Who is He Whose ways are higher?
He Who is a rock and shield
His right hand crushed that age-old liar
‘Fore His might all nations yield

Who is He Who parts the waters
Leads His people through the sea?
Who takes the lost as sons and daughters?
Who is wise eternally?

Who is He? The great Creator
He has formed us; we are clay
He made great cities useless mortar
Raised a nation in one day

Who is He, behind the veil?
Could darkness ever match His light?
Contend with Him–would you prevail?
In judgment would you be found right?

Who is He who holds all life?
He keeps alive, and He can kill
He gives us peace, and He makes strife
Who dares to disobey His will?

Who is He? And who is like Him?
He alone shall always rule
Oh, do you dare to stand against Him
Tell Him “You are wrong” O fool?

Who is He Who dwells on high?
Who knows all things from start to end?
Would He bend down to hear my cry?
Would He be pleased to call me friend?

Who is He Who has descended
Deigned to live upon the earth?
And Who is He Who has ascended
Gives His people light and worth?

Who is He? Our mighty Savior
Look at all He did and made!
His cherished ones He shall deliver
His great strength shall never fade

Who is He? Proclaim His fame!
Adore Him, mortals here below
Tell–Who is He? What is His Name?
What is His Son’s Name?–if you know!

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Scripture References:
Genesis 1:14
Exodus 15:18
Deuteronomy 32:39
Job 11:7, 13:9
Psalm 33:13-15, 84: 9+10, 92:4+5
Proverbs 30:4
Isaiah 42:5, 55:9, 64:1+8

Create in me a heart of flesh
And mold my heart like clay
A heart that heeds, and seeks Your will
To serve You every day

Create in me a heart of flesh
A heart that can feel pains
Please melt the stoniness within
The coldness that remains

Create in me a heart of flesh
A heart that understands
A heart is whole, a heart is free
When fashioned by Your hands

Create in me a heart of flesh
That seeks no gold or fame
May all my heart’s desires be
From You, and for Your Name

Create in me a heart of flesh
And make it like Your own
That all my love and strength shall be
For You, and You alone

This poem is inspired by the story of Shadrak, Meshak, and Abed-Nego in Daniel 3

Bid me not to leave this flame
This flame that burns, but ne’er consumes
Please let me stay within this smoke
Where You, not I, see through the fumes

Bid me not to leave this flame
For in this flame, You set me free
Though enter I with rope or chain
The ropes are burned; chains fall from me

Bid me not to leave this flame
This flame known as adversity
Amidst such flames, all dross falls off
You cleanse my heart in purity

Bid me not to leave this flame
For in this flame, I walk with You
Amidst the trials, toil, and pain
We hold communion dear and true

Bid me not to leave this flame
With You I am content to be
Although my path be set in flames
I love the path You planned for me

Bid me not to leave this flame
For in this flame, I hear Your voice
Amidst such heat, my self succumbs
Surrenders to Your plan, Your choice

Bid me not to leave this flame
In flames, Your glorious face I see
You bore great trials; so shall I
The flames are where I want to be

Blessed be Yehovah my Rock Who trains my hands for war
Clouds He rides and sends great winds and lightning from His store

He will guard His servants, and He rightly rules their cause
He will crush the wicked–save oppressed ones from their claws

Blessed be He Who shields my head amidst the greatest strife
With His miracles He saves me; He preserves my life

He Who shakes the mountains is my fortress and defense
With my King I face a troop and leap the highest fence

Blessed be He Who fights for us and gives the victory
In His strength all chains are snapped–from sin He set us free

Death could never conquer Him; He lives, and so shall we
His is glory, might, and rule through all eternity

Blessed are all Who trust in Him; they shall not suffer shame
Those who run to hide in Him find refuge in His Name

Zealously He guards His sheep, and camps around His flock
He shall make their feet like deer–they climb the highest rock

Blessed are those who wait for Him; He fills them with His might
In His strength the lame will walk, the weak will bravely fight

He will lift us up; on wings of eagles we shall fly
Knowing He is on our side, all fear will quickly die

Blessed are those whose strength is You, Your paths are in their heart
Though they cross the desert, though they face the foe’s swift dart

Always Yah will give them strength, and when the battles cease
Blessed be Yehovah our God Who gives His people peace

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Relevant Scriptures:
2 Samuel 22
Psalm 2:12
Psalm 25:2+3
Psalm 29:11
Psalm 34:7
Psalm 84:5
Psalm 124:6
Psalm 135:7+14
Psalm 140:7
Psalm 144:1+2
Proverbs 18:10
Isaiah 30:18
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 64:1
Joel 3:10
Revelation 5:13

I feel a wondrous day beginning
Even though it’s yet unseen
I feel a wondrous light approaching
Even through the night’s dark screen

I see Yehovah’s hand fulfilling
All the prophets said would be
I feel His joy within me growing
Thinking of eternity

I feel a peace past understanding
Even when my life goes wrong
I feel His presence gently guiding
Through the darkness to the dawn

I feel anticipation filling
All my heart with songs to sing
Behold, great deeds of Yah are coming
Greater than I’ve ever seen

I feel a flame within me burning
Hope’s bright flame that never dies
I hear my Master–He is nearing
Unto Him I lift my eyes

I hear a prophet’s voice proclaiming
“Make ye straight Yehovah’s way”
I hear a watchman’s trumpet blowing
Calling back the ones who stray

I hear a great commission calling
Stirring us to spread good news
I hear Him say, “Behold, I’m coming”
Are you His? It’s time to choose

I hear Yehovah’s voice declaring
“Call to me, great things I’ll show”
So I call out; Yah keeps revealing
Wonders–more than I could know

References:
Jeremiah 33:3, Revelation 22:12

In pride, I thought that I was wise and I was strong enough to face
The fights of life–whatever comes–and overcome with poise and grace

I thought I’d learned the necessary lessons to succeed
I thought that in a battle, I’d have all the strength I’d need

Such dreams of valor faded as I went through life
For in reality, I always failed ‘midst strife

I realized that my heart was weak and frail
I realized that my strength would always fail

But then my life grew harder still
And weaker grew my strength, my will

Like smoke, strength disappeared
When faced by things I feared

My might had fled
My heart felt dead

I sighed
And cried

A plea
To Thee

You answered me
And let me see

That though I’m weak, You’re strong
I learned that all along

Your might had been sustaining me
My righteousness and strength is Thee

I never will prevail without Your might
In You alone, I’m strong enough to fight

You give me life and breath and health for each new day
It’s all from You, and You could take it all away

In grace, You choose to love me–give me strength to do Your will
And when my heart is failing, Your great strength will lift me still

I shall not trust in my own might–Your strength is ceaselessly supplied
Content am I to know I’m weak, for when I’m weak, You’re glorified