Words to offer to God.

Having the privilege of being ‘wordsmiths’ we can find Hosea’s statement very encouraging. Sure, what he was emphasising was in a different context. Still, the sentence has implications for us. ‘Take words with you and return to the Lord’ Hosea 14:2(nrsv).

When we write we are presenting to our readers an invitation to draw near to the Eternal one.  No one can enter into His presence empty handed (Deuteronomy 16:16). How then can we and our words be accepted? The reader may be a prodigal, a person unfamiliar with the Gospel or a devoted servant. For any such readers, you in your genre, I in mine, open an opportunity for them to meet the Lord. The following poem seeks to help us to appreciate the wonder of having words to offer the Lord. 

Words to share with the Lord God

 The Lord invites us to come into His presence.

But we cannot go there empty handed,

For sacrifice is the very essence

For not being left outside and stranded.

 I came into my Heavenly Father’s presence

In the company of Jesus, The Son!

His sacrifice at Calvary, my ‘incense!’

As Christ my acceptance had won.

When I now approach the Lord

What must I offer to Him?

For I still hear from His word

“Don’t come empty handed unto Him!”

The prophet Hosea informed me,

I am to ‘turn and take words’

Why words? What words?

Sincere words without wax

Covering any heart cracks

Of neglected or sour grace,

Ingratitude or actions of bad taste.

I come empty handed to the Lord,

Though my lips repeat so many words

Already expressed in Scripture,

And accepted by God without stricture.

The Prodigal’s word claimed by me,

“I’ve sinned against heaven” and Thee!

Like him, I was received!

Isaiah beheld God’s holy glory,

 Knew unworthiness’s misery,

“Woe is me! I am undone.”

Words, the Almighty welcomed,

And purified the humbled one,

Whose lips, with new words, now pleads,

 “Here I am; send me”

My Lord’s invitation bids me enter.

I go with words I want to utter,

Gratitude, Adoration, confession,

Fuelled by repentance and devotion.

Before the unseen Father I draw near

With Christ beside me this I’ll hear,

 “You’re accepted, come, have no fear.”

©Ray Hawkins Feb 24 2017.  

Ray writes Biblically themed devotionals and poems and a weekly blog

               http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au