Words of Life from Poets of Old

The best poets and preachers are able to distill their thoughts and feelings into words which have impact within and beyond their own generations. Indeed some of them had to persevere through intense personal struggle, even severe depression, which only served to sharpen their skill in sharing their insights with others. Jesus said, of the sign of His Coming and the end of the age, that many would betray one another and hate one another, many prophets would arise and mislead many and that, because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. We wonder at our own willfully disobedient societies yet one hundred and seventy years ago Horatius Bonar wrote these lines: The serpent’ s brood increase, The powers of hell grow bold, The conflict thickens, faith is low, And love is waxing cold.   The following year he penned these more famous lines: I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down, thy head upon My breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting-place, and He has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream. My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light. Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise and all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun; And in that Light of Life I’ll walk till traveling days are done. - c1846 Charles Spurgeon wrote, for the Lord's Supper, this hymn: Amidst us our Belovèd stands, And bids us view His piercèd hands; Points to the wounded feet and side, Blest emblems of the Crucified. ...... Thou glorious Bridegroom of our hearts, Thy present smile a heav’n imparts! Oh lift the veil, if veil there be, Let every saint Thy beauties see! - c1860 Two hymns from John Newton, seafarer and slave-trader turned pastor:   How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary, rest. Dear Name, the Rock on which I build, My Shield and Hiding Place, My never failing treasury, filled With boundless stores of grace! By Thee my prayers acceptance gain, Although with sin defiled; Satan accuses me in vain, And I am owned a child. Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, O Prophet, Priest and King, My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring. Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought. Till then I would Thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath, And may the music of Thy Name Refresh my soul in death! c1779   Dear Shepherd of Thy people, hear; Thy presence now display; As Thou hast given a place for prayer, So give us hearts to pray. ...... May we in faith receive Thy Word, In faith present our prayers; And, in the presence of our Lord, Unbosom all our cares. - c1779 John Piper describes the pastoral relationship between Newton and William Cowper, the poet, in this link - http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/insanity-and-spiritual-songs-in-the-soul-of-a-saint   O for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame, A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb!   Where is the blessedness I knew, When first I saw the Lord? Where is the soul refreshing view Of Jesus and His Word? ...... The dearest idol I have known, Whate’er that idol be Help me to tear it from Thy throne, And worship only Thee.   So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb. - William Cowper c1772 These words sum up our continued spiritual struggle to achieve a balance between our words and actions which is both mentally healthy and spiritually sound.   Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways; reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence, praise. In simple trust like theirs who heard beside the Syrian sea the gracious calling of the Lord, let us, like them, without a word rise up and follow thee. ...... Breathe through the heats of our desire thy coolness and thy balm; let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire, O still, small voice of calm! - John G. Whittier c1872     A great song of inspiration and encouragement originally written for the sick and lonely: At the name of Jesus ev'ry knee shall bow, ev'ry tongue confess him King of glory now. 'Tis the Father's pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word. At his voice creation sprang at once to sight, all the angel faces, all the hosts of light, thrones and dominations, stars upon their way, all the heav'nly orders in their great array. Humbled for a season to receive a name from the lips of sinners unto whom he came, faithfully he bore it spotless to the last, brought it back victorious, when from death he passed. In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue all that is not holy, all that is not true; crown him as your Captain in temptation's hour: let his will enfold you in its light and pow'r. Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again, with his Father's glory, with his angel train; for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow, and our hearts confess him King of glory now.  - Caroline M Noel - 1870