Christmas in April!

HE IS THE SPRING WHO GIVES NEW LIFE!

Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:2

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. Psalm 32:5-6

I will bless the LORDat all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalm 34:1-3

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. Psalm 33:3-6

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22

While contemplating the passages of scripture given to us in Psalms 32-34 with my heart filled with the plague of remaining sin and yet rejoicing in the goodness of God through Christ Jesus my Lord, and while looking from the front porch I noticed a Red Bud tree among the lofty pines with their new growth which reminded me of a "Christmas tree"and the following words came to mind:


Oh, do you think of Christmas
At this time of year so bright?
For Jesus came to die for men,
And save us from the blight

Of all our sin which brought the curse
And caused the earth to groan.
HE IS THE SPRING WHO GIVES NEW LIFE
To those whose hearts now moan.

In every flower's beauty
And in every new pine cone,
He shows such glorious power now
To raise those of His Own.

New life is ours because the cross
Was destined from His birth.
He came to bleed and die for sin
For those born on the earth.

For angels who are fallen
Have not now so much hope
But will forever burn with those
Who do not see the scope--

Of Oh, such wondrous love for men
That God Himself would come,
And bare rejection and reproach--
The Humble Servant, Son!

He Is The High and Lofty One
And by His grace imparts;
Redemption to His chosen ones
Of humble, contrite hearts.

Oh, taste and see the LORD Is Good
In all that He may bring;
To search our hearts, refine our minds,
And give new songs to sing--

Unto His glory til He comes
And full salvation shows;
To His beloved bride of Christ,
All them, that He now knows.

Oh, what a thought, that without sin
Our faith then, more than sight--
With bodies raised, we'll praise His Name,
In robes, all pure and white!

Oh Jesus, Lover of our souls,
Oh, help us now to be
The vessels of true love and grace,
Reflect Your Majesty!

And help us now in holy awe,
Give you all the worship due,
For none on earth can e'er compare
To all we have in YOU!

Michael E. Wood
April 7, 2010