Memorials

Joshua 4:1-7 (NLT), “When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’” So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.’”

It is important to look back and see the way the Lord has been at work in our lives. If we look closely we can see him even in the darkest times we have faced. Deuteronomy 5:15 (NLT), “Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.”  Being slaves in Egypt was one of Israel’s darkest hours.  God told them to remember that time and to remember how he brought them out of slavery. 

Memorials are important. They stand to remind us of God's goodness and sometimes of our weakness. It is important to remember both. We are not victims of our past, we are victors through Christ, however, our past has played a large part in who we are today.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLT), “Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.”  Here we notice that sometimes God allows the circumstances in our lives to teach us and to prove our character.  We need to remember those times too. Israel circled the wilderness for 40 years because they failed to learn the lessons they were being taught.  They didn't remember from one trail to the next how God had worked in and through them, or how he had fought on their behalf.  If we walk away from a learning experience and then forget the lesson, I have bad news for us; we will have to relearn the lesson again.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste the time nor do I want the trials again.  I want to remember the lessons after the first pass around the mountain.

Deuteronomy 9:7 (NLT), Remembering the Gold Calf: “Remember and never forget how angry you made the Lord your God out in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until now, you have been constantly rebelling against him.”  It is also important to remember our failures.  We are not perfect and thus, we all fail.  When we look back on our life, there are those times when we failed to live according to the standard set in the Word.  We may have willfully disobeyed, or we may have stumbled in our walk.  Looking back on those times is important because it shows us God’s amazing grace and forgiveness.  We don’t live in the shadow of those failures any longer, but we remember them and be encouraged to keep fighting the good fight. 1 Timothy 6:12a (NLT), “Fight the good fight for the true faith.”

Isaiah 46:9 (NLT), “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.”   We need to remember the amazing things God has done in our lives. We need to recount for our soul the answers to prayer, the battles fought and won, and the way God sustained us even in our darkest hour (maybe even before we knew him).  The Word tells us, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 (NLT)

God has always been and always will be with us!  Remember his goodness today!!!

Memorials

By Melissa Larabee

As you look back over your life, the good, bad, in between, pay special attention and you will find my hand can always be seen.

I was with you from the start, I never left you alone. I’ll be with you till the end when I call you home.

Mankind was placed upon the earth with free will from the start.  All went well until sin came to enter the first man’s heart.

Throughout the ages I've had to watch as my children had to pay.  But all the time I knew I would die, I’d give my life away.

As you've struggled in this life, I've always cared for you.  Even when there was pain and hurt, it was I who say you through.

Why do I allow all the hurt, the dark and endless night?  Because, dear child, each one has free will, you can give in or you can fight.

The enemy of your soul is out to steak, kill, and to destroy.  To play upon man’s free will is his greatest ploy.

He makes you think about yourself above all other cares.  To seek your own, fight for your rights, as if I were not there.

Because I've given mankind the choice, choose me, yes or no?  I will never force you child, because I love you so.

Many choose to live for self, to fulfill all lust’s desires.  Because of this the price is death, to fulfill what the law requires.

I chose to take up my cross to pay the price for thee, so upon my back sin clung as I died upon that tree.

I paid the price to set man free from the chains that bound them tight. But each one has to choose to win, then I will help them fight.

I've never once turned my back or ever walked away.  I was there dear child you see, on your darkest day.

My heart is grieved as I must watch the dark appear to win, but my child, please understand, that’s the consequence of sin.

When you choose to live for self and care not what you do, in that moment Satan has his awful hands on you.

He’ll drag you down as low as he can possible make you go.  Then he’ll drop you on your face, with him it’s just a show.

He doesn't care about you at all; it’s me he wants to pain.  He knows I grieve each and every time more ground in you he gains. 

But if you stand and say, “No more” and call upon my name; I will hold you in my hands, I’ll remove all the stains.

I’ll give the strength that you need to stand and fight again, when I return for my bride these battles all will end.

So take careful stock of where you've been the journey that you've made.  Recognize my precious child; upon your life my hand was always laid. 

Temporary or Eternal?

Philippians 1:9-10 (NLT), “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

What really matters?  How do we decide what gets our time, money, and attention?  If you are like me, it is easy to get distracted by things that might be low level priorities.  Things that will eat away at the precious little time I have to use each day.  The key is to find out what God's priorities are and to align ours with his.  Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…”

Following are some priorities I see in the Word:

Prayer:  Luke 5:16 (NLT), “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” We see here that prayer was a priority for Jesus.  If the Savior of the world needed to spend time in prayer, how much more do we, weak, frail humans need to spend time in prayer? 

Study of the Word:  2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

Eternal things: 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV), “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Reaching the Lost: Mark 16:15 (NIV), “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”

Love: John 13:34-35 (NIV), “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   Matthew 5:44 (NIV), “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Fellowship: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT), “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”  Proverbs 27:17 (NLT), “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

There are also many examples in the Word of people who had wrong or unbalanced priorities. 

Storing up treasures on earth:  Luke 12:16-21 (NIV), “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ ‘Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’  But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV), “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Selfish Desires (Unconcern for the needs of others):  Luke 16:19-31 (NLT), “Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. ‘Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’”

Household Cares: Luke 10:38-42 (NLT), “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

As can be seen in the story of Mary and Martha, priorities have weight or value.  In the case of Martha, it was not wrong for her to desire to make things nice for Jesus and his disciples.  But she forgot that spending time with the Master has more value/weight than working for the Master.  Mary, on the other hand, chose the priority with the greatest value.  She could do housework and prepare meals after she had spent time with Jesus.

Like Martha, we often give more of our time and attention to things that should have less value and not as much time to things that should have greater value.  For instance, if having a spotless house takes priority over spending time with family and friends, the values are skewed.  Is it wrong to want a clean house? No, however, when we get to heaven will a few stray dust bunnies matter anymore?  The time we invest in relationships will matter for eternity.  Each life we touch for the Kingdom will mean another soul pulled from the grip of the enemy; another brother or sister with whom we will worship our Savior.

When we invest too much time on low level priorities, we miss out on the opportunity to spend our time on the top level priorities.  We must pray and seek God.  Asking him to help us prioritize our lives to best meet the daily needs of ourselves and our family, while investing more time on the top level priorities (those that align with his).  

Temporary or Eternal?

By Melissa Larabee

Each day as you turn to me I’ll give you eyes to see, the temporary things in life, the things of eternity.

My goal for you is to learn the difference between, the things that look important now and the things unseen.

I’m always working for your good; to teach you along the way, how to see the value in the things you do each day. 

The way you spend your time and strength; the value that you place upon, the things I put in your path as we journey on.

Some things should have priority, like prayer and studying my Word.  But sometimes you’re so busy with other things, my voice cannot be heard.

When the things of this world begin to drown out my voice, it’s in that moment my child, that you must make the choice. 

I’ll never force you to come to me, never demand my way.  But when you fail to spend time with my on your back all your burdens lay.

When you feel the pressures of this life welling up inside, remember, it was to see you through that I bled and died.

You were never meant to carry all the things you do.  My plan all along dear one was to wear the yoke with you.

My shoulders are both big and broad, my strength it never wanes.  As I wear the yoke with you, your strength will grow and gain.

As you seek me every day my priorities you will see.  As you tap into my strength, you’ll walk in victory.

I’ve place you here in the world for such a time as this.  Look at your priorities. What’s atop your list?

Are the things you hold up high the ones that should be there?  Or do you let the world dictate upon which things you care?

I don’t see life the way you do, I see the grand design.  And if you seek to know my heart, our priorities will align.

I’ll show you the things I care about, where your energies should be placed. I’ll lead and guide you through each day; I’ll give you the grace. 

You may have to let go of things that you hold as dear, but if you’ll still your heart and mind, I’ll whisper in your ear. 

My peace I’ll give as you work to learn a different way.  I’ll hold your hand and guide you through each and every day. 

Keep your focus on the things above, not the things below.  And I will give you the strength you need to let the low things go.

I want your life to be spent on eternal things, like time down on your knees in prayer for presidents and kings. 

Sharing the truths of my Word with a soul who’s lost; laying down your life dear child, no matter what the cost.

Spending time with the ones you love, your family and friends.  All these things will matter most when life comes to an end.

How clean your house, how big your purse will not mean a thing, when you bow before my throne and worship me as King.

Keep your heart tuned to my voice and I will guide your way.  Pay close attention and I will show you how to use your day.

Seek First The Kingdom

Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT), "So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."  If our father already knows our needs, why do we worry about them?

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT), "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."  Here we see the key. We need to ask and keep asking. Note it does not say, "Worry and keep worrying."  We are not to worry but to bring our needs to God.  Philippians 4:6 (NLT), "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Seeking first the Kingdom is not a suggestion in the Word, it is a command. We need to be seeking to know the Giver daily not just seeking the gifts. God longs for us to get to know Him so well that we can trust no matter what our eyes see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV),"For we live by faith, not by sight."

How do we learn to trust God's character? How do we even know what His character is?  We can see God's character throughout the Word. We can hear His heart in the messages He sent through the writers of Scripture. We can see His love acted out in and through the lives of believers today.

First is the Word. We must daily dive into the Word for ourselves. You don't just eat on Sunday and then wait for the next Sunday to eat again. We cannot do that spiritually either.  The sermon you hear on Sunday cannot be the only spiritual food you partake of each week.

I know some people say, "I don't understand what I read."  Pray for wisdom. Ask God to illuminate His Word to you mind.  One good method of study is to take one chapter and read it every day for a week. Before each reading pray for wisdom and then rehearse what God showed you. Meditate on it. Think about it all day long. Share your thoughts with someone you trust.

A Bible commentary is helpful too. Look at what others have written about the passage. Don't believe everything you read or hear from others. Take it all back to the Source and ask for His guidance.   James 1:5 (NLT), "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

Second, look at the messages of the writers of scripture.  David writes in Psalms 23 (NIV), "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (He provides all my needs!!). He makes me lie down in green pastures (places of peace and rest), he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul (refreshing). He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake (direction). Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (protection, faith, encouragement, strength). You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (provision, daily bread, needs met). You anoint my head with oil (honor, healing and restoration); my cup overflows (abundance ). Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (His presence).”  (Italics added for emphasis and clarification.)  These verses address every area of need in our lives.  God longs to meet all our needs.  With everything we know David went through, how awesome is it that he could write this beautiful testimony to the goodness of God!

The final thing we can look at is God moving in and through others today.  A word of warning: when we see God moving in the lives of those around us, we need to be encouraged and not become jealous or discouraged because we may not be seeing Him move in ours. We don't know how long they have been asking, seeking, knocking.

We must also understand that God is always at work in the lives of those who are yielded to Him. Philippians 2:13 (NIV), “ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” He always answers our prayers too. His answers are "yes," "no," or "wait."  If we get no answer or have no definite feelings on the issue, He may be saying “wait.” When the answer is “yes” we usually feel a sense of peace even if we don't see the answer right away. If the answer is “no” we often feel uneasy about the request and should seek Him till we either gain the peace or hear the definite “no.” Once we yield to the “no” we usually feel peace even if it was something we really wanted.

One thing I've learned is that when I am asking for something that is not already promised in the Word, I must ask with open hands, meaning, I ask but understand that God may have other plans. If I get so caught up in wanting my own way, I will rob myself if peace and rest in Christ. I think sometimes we give the devil credit/blame for our own mistakes. He does try to steal our peace, but we can steal it ourselves by unyielded desires and expectations.

When we pray for needs that are already promised in the Word, we can quote the scriptures with confidence and remind the Lord of His promises.  They we need to rest in Him and allow Him to answer!

Let us Seek first the Kingdom…..

The Secret Place

Psalm 91:1( KJV), "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

The secret place is the place of prayer and humility before God. It is the place where we meet alone with the Father. 

Mark 1:35 (NLT), "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."   If Jesus, being God, needed to make time to go to the secret place, how much more do we need to?  

The battles we face are won in the secret place. When we spend time in the presence of the Savior we gain the wisdom and strength to fight the battles that come our way. It is in those times of prayer that we win the battle; when we determine ahead of time what our answer will be to the temptations and lies of the enemy. 

When we leave our secret place we need only walk out the decisions we made there. Mark 14:35-36 (NLT), "Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,”'he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"

Our faith, confidence, joy, peace, and spiritual muscles are built in the secret place. When we are confronted by trials or temptation we can draw from those resources to stomp on the enemies head and walk through the fire without being burned.  Daniel 3:16-18, 27 (NLT), "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'...and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them."  

It is safe to assume that these me were prayed up. They had made a decision earlier in their secret place to honor God and serve Him only. When it came time to face the fire, they spoke with confident faith in the One who loved them and they came through unharmed. 

Please note: "and there was no smell of fire on them."

If we want to come through the battles we face unharmed, we need to make time to spend in the secret place. Our freedom and very lives depend on it!!!!

The Secret Place

By Melissa Larabee

In the quiet I hear a voice calling out to me.  Come and sit upon my lap and see the world I see.

From where you sit the world looks dark, the battle’s hard to fight, From where you sit, all hope seems lost, the future like endless night.

I too see the battles rage, Satan’s power appears to win.  I see mankind in hopelessness all bound up in sin.

But as you sit upon my lap those little lights you see, moving across the world, doing work for me.

Those lights, my child, are all the saints carrying my Word, to the lost, dark, broken world, to ones who’ve never heard.

They work in day, they work in night, they never faint or cease, because within each submitted heart I have placed my peace.

My peace that overwhelms the soul and makes the spirit glad; my love that saturates each heart, remember I’m their Dad.

Their lights shine bright in spite of the pain they daily have to face. For I have overcome the world, in my strength they run the race.

They can labor and toil each day and night, because they’ve come away, into the secret place with me, to worship, rest, and pray.

When they draw in close to me, to seek my heart and will, I wrap my arms around them and draw them closer still.

You are one such light of mine in this world so dark, through your life and ministry, I’m lighting little sparks.

Each life you touch, each hand you hold, each word you speak for me, will change a heart, and change a life, and change a destiny.

Just never fail to come away into the secret place, for there in my lap you will find peace, and joy, and grace.

My strength you need to fight the fight, the battles you will face. Keep your eyes on me my child so dear, I’ll help you run the race.

Your light will shine on bright and clear as you yield your all, and come and sit upon my lap when you hear me call.

I long to hold you in my arms, my peace and strength to give, I long for you to lay down your life and in my presence live.

No fear within, no fear without, can stop my work in you, when you come away my child, each time I call to you.

My voice you’ll know and recognize, as you yearn for me, for only from the secret place can you win the victory.

I love this lost and broken world, I’m sending you to now.  You have the hope they dearly need, just remember how,

To come away and sit with me, my strength and grace I’ll give. For if you are to work for me, in the secret place you must live.

Mercies

As I sit in my secret place and watch the sun rise over the Organ Mountains, I am reminded of how much the Father loves His children. 

Lamentations 3:22-23,"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Every morning He gives us new mercies to carry us through the day. 

Webster's Dictionary defines mercy as: 1 compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.  2 a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion. 

I believe both definitions apply to God's mercies. First, we are under "His power" and we are offenders. Romans 3:23,"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."  In spite of our failings, God extends compassion and forbearance to us. When we repent He doesn't even remember our sin anymore. Psalm 103:12,"He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." It is obviously not because He couldn't remember it if He chose. The beauty of forgiveness is that He chooses not to remember our sin. 

The second definition applies as well. God daily blesses our lives with acts of divine favor. If we look at each day after it has passed, we can see the divine favor God bestowed upon us that day. Some may be small things like getting to visit with a friend. Others may be big things like receiving a new job. Big or small we can each look back and see the blessings. 

The key is recognizing God's hand in our circumstances. Because we are His children, nothing can touch our lives that He is not aware of.  

He allows things, both good and bad, to touch us each day. Both are intended to draw us closer to Him and to make us more like Jesus. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." 

Psalm 103:13-14,"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. God  is our Father, and like earthly fathers sometimes have to allow their children to feel pain (like getting shots are stitches) our Heavenly Father does the same. The difference however, is that our earthly fathers can only see today. They also often fail to remember that their children are just that children and they expect too much from them. 

Our Heavenly Father sees all of time in one instant. He knows our beginning and our end. And He remembers that we are weak, that be are just dust. He only expects from us what He gives us the strength and power to do. 

Today try to remember the blessings of yesterday. No matter how bad or hard yesterday seemed as you journeyed through it, there were blessings.  Find them! Recognize them and thank you Father for them!!!!  The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3, "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."  That's you and me. 

Mercies

By Melissa Larabee

I was with you yesterday, my mercies they were new.  My grace gave you the strength to walk, my hand was holding you.

As you look more closely now my blessings you will find.  There is not one moment child, when you’re not on my mind.

I give you all that you need to face each day ahead, and if you tap into my strength you have nothing at all to dread.

My peace I give when trails come, if you will trust in my.  When I am working for your good, you have the victory.

But when you try to stand alone, ignore my strength and peace, you will find that you will fail because you are so weak.

You were not meant to walk alone, to do things as you please.  I made you to depend on me, to spend time on your knees. 

Seek my face and seek my heart, my mercies I renew.  I love you child and I desire to spend my day with you.

Bring me all your cares and fears, your worries and your doubt, for my child it is your growth and peace I care about.

I allow you to face some hard times but I am there with you.  Call upon my name and see that I will see you through. 

I give the strength that you need, the mercy, peace, and rest.  Just fall into my arms dear child and you will be truly blessed. 

I never waste a tear dear child, a sorrow or a pain.  As you learn to trust in me, more strength your life will gain.

In this life you will find sorrow, pain, and strife, but that is why I paid the price by giving up my life.

Even in the valley child, you can look and see, my mercies are renewed each day, and they’re always fresh and free. 

I will not leave you all alone to struggle through this life.  I care for you as a godly man cares for his new wife.

You are my bride and someday soon we’ll celebrate above, but till that day, dear child of mine, rest in my peace and love.