A Gift of His Most Excellent Nature

This poem came on the morning of December 30; as a result of pondering 1st John 2:1-14 and listening to a John Piper message on the previous evening. I awoke with the beginning verse in mind and as I continued to meditate with John, the writer of this epistle, the rest followed:

With tongue and with song we're called to employ,
The glorious beauty of our new nature's joy.
The old man is dead, the new man now reigns
And we offer our praise to the Great KING of kings.

Though deaf others be, and our song they not hear—
Oh, let us draw near Him in meekness and fear.
His commandments we'll keep and abide in His Light,
And though others not see Him, we're known in His sight;

In Jesus, our Advocate at our Father's throne,
Who ever intercedes 'til the day we're called home.
With our sins now forgiven, and with grace from above,
Made victors o're the evil one, as we abide in His Love.

His Word is the means by which we have heard.
His Spirit our guide into all that occurred,
In Christ, we're made children to our Father's delight,
Who strengthens our hands to continue to fight.

Oh, what a Gift of His most excellent Nature,
To love not the world, and be clothed in His vesture.
Our garments of praise, Oh, help us keep clean,
‘Til with You in glory, You're fullness is seen.

Michael E. Wood
December 30, 2009