Stories of Faith

Waiting is a test of trust wherein my faith is tried
Waiting cleans my sin-stained heart—reveals what is inside

Waiting brings forth hidden gifts that else would not be seen
Waiting doubtless shall be hard, yet pleasing to my King

Waiting is a chance to grow that I should not despise
Waiting proves my need of You and focuses my eyes

Waiting is the worship that I offer unto You
Waiting shows my promises and love for You are true

Waiting proves You are my Lord—I want naught else but You
Waiting proves Your steadfast love; how good is all You do!

There is a never-ceasing fountain
Found beneath the Master’s throne
And from beneath the holy mountain
Living water streams have flown

Oh, hear His call: “Come all ye weary
Eat and drink without a price”
Whatever ailment, pain or worry
His great mercy shall suffice

His streams of grace shall never falter
Those who trust in Him shall be
Like fertile trees by endless water
Fearing not when drought shall be

All sinners, come and choose salvation
Wash yourselves in His clean stream
Experience His restoration
He does more than we could dream

How precious is Your loving-kindness
From Your stream are we supplied
And from Your house’s pleasant goodness
Are Your people satisfied

There is a never-ceasing fountain
Found beneath the throne of grace
Beside His stream, upon His mountain
I have found my resting place

Inspired by Psalm 36:7&8 and Isaiah 55:1&2

How lovely on the mountains are
The feet of him who brings good news
Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Great joy and peace shall He diffuse

O You who bring good tidings, rise!
To Zion say, “Your King is near!”
Arise, proclaim to Judah’s towns
“Behold your God!” and have no fear

Prepare the way of Yehovah
Make straight a highway for our Lord
His strong right hand shall rule for Him
Before Him is His just reward

And like a shepherd He will feed
His sheep, and gather every one
He carries them within His arms
And gently leads the ones with young

O Zion, shout and sing for joy
For He returns to save His fold
Then David’s booth shall be restored
Repaired, as in the days of old

For He redeems Jerusalem
And Zion’s wastes He shall restore
There multitudes shall shout and sing
And mourning cease forevermore

Awake, O Zion, rise in strength
For you shall not be put to shame
Your God shall be Your constant light
For praise, and beauty, and a name

Your King shall take delight in you
His precious treasure you shall be
For He shall seek you, not forsake
Your sons returning you shall see

Behold! Salvation comes to you
Rejoice, for you shall be restored
Then all the farthest lands shall see
The great salvation of our Lord

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Scripture references:
Isaiah 40:3+9-11
Isaiah 51:3
Isaiah 52:1+7-9
Isaiah 60:4+19
Isaiah 62:4+11-12
Amos 9:11

In Hebrew, “to ordain” literally means “to fill hands”

Lord, please fill our hands today
And make us holy unto You
Please take all sin and guilt away
That we might raise clean hands to You

Fill our hands that we might be
Your ministers who spread Your Word
Till all the earth Your reign shall see
Till all have known and all have heard

Fill our hands, that we might spread
The glad, good news of liberty
That You have risen from the dead
To save our souls and set us free

Fill our hands that we might fight
And train our fingers for the war
To stop the wrong, defend the right
Fulfilling what You made us for

Fill our hands with strength, that we
Might heed whate’er You say to do
Equip our hearts that we might be
Your witnesses of what is true

Fill our hands, that we might guard
The covenant we made with You
For Your commands are not too hard
The things we promised, we shall do

Fill our hands that we might be
A temple made of living stone
That in us might Your presence be
Within our hearts, Lord, take Your throne

Fill our hands with Your strong hand
That leads us toward Your mission’s call
That guides us homeward, to Your land
Please consecrate us, Lord of all!

In vain I searched amongst this earth
For lovely pleasures, lasting peace
The worldly pleasures had no worth
And worldly peace would quickly cease

All treasures of the earth were vain
The world confused me—what was true?
What hope or goodness would remain
Throughout the ages?—only You

You taught me and I understood
That all my life, I sought for You
For You alone are truly good
The source of treasures dear and true

All temporal treasures have a mar
All temporal beauties have a stain
They fade and flicker like a star
And every life is mixed with pain

But You give joys that never end
The ceaseless hope not from the earth
You give me grace, and call me friend
In Your great love, my heart finds worth

For what on earth compares to You?
The humble heart You satisfy
When toward Your throne I set my eyes
In love, You hear each desperate cry

Though all things temporal fall apart
My hope is that You hear and see
Forever You will hold my heart
For You are everything to me

Based on Psalm 65

In Zion is stillness, and praise unto You
And we shall fulfill what we promised to do
All flesh shall ascend to appear at Your throne
Our prayers You hear; for our sins You atone

Oh, blessed is the one whom You choose and You call
That He might approach You, O Master of all
That he in the courts of Your house might abide
By Zion’s pure goodness are we satisfied

Yes, Yahweh shall answer with awesome, just deeds
For He is the trust of the earth and the seas
He came wrapped in power, the mountains to form
When oceans are raging, He stills the strong storm

When waves proudly crash, He shall silence their voice
He makes both the evening and morning rejoice
He stills the great tumult of peoples by fear
The nations are frightened Your wonders to hear

You visit the earth and enrich it with rain
And You shall provide and prepare all their grain
Your river is full, and its ridge overflows
You soften with showers, and bless that which grows

The years with Your goodness and plenty You crown
Upon desert fields Your abundance drops down
The hills shall rejoice; You clothe pastures with sheep
They all sing and shout with the valleys so deep