Poems

Visions Of Eden

God, in His infinite wisdom, above,
   Has promised a world that is based on His love.
Mankind, though fallen, sick, and depraved,
   Shall arise from the sin that has kept them enslaved.

A world filled with hope ... could it be true?
   Blessings for all -- both Gentile and Jew?
Yes, it is so, for in His Word He has said,
   The billions of earth shall awake from the dead.

All who have died, asleep in the grave,
   Shall arise at His call -- the "Mighty to Save."
Then, one by one, a new world they'll greet,
   And all shall rejoice to bow at His feet.

 Loved ones with loved ones, stand hand in hand,
   As visions of Eden encompass the land.
Tears of the past, replaced by a song,
   Sing loud the praises that right every wrong.

 

And those who were called from the legions of earth,
   Shall be changed in a moment and witness a birth
To heavenly realms, a prize rich indeed,
   And dispense all the blessings of Abraham's seed.

                                     --Robert Brand

           

What Must It Be to
Be There?

We speak of the land of the blest,
A country so bright and so fair,
And oft are its glories confessed,
But what must it be to be there?

We speak of the pathways of gold,
Its walls decked with jewels so rare,
Its wonders and pleasures untold,
But what must it be to be there?

We speak of its peace and its love,
The robes which the glorified wear,
The songs of the blessed above,
But what must it be to be there?

We speak of its freedom of sin,
From sorrow, temptation, and care,
From trials without and within,
But what must it be to be there?

Walter Sargent,
Poems of the Way, page 161

  

Bound By Invisible Bonds

Across our native land and beyond the distant sea,
A humble, longing people, would lift up their hearts to Thee
O Father, how were scattered, how our tents are pitched apart,
But we long to be together, with the loved ones of our heart.

But, Father, in our scattered state, we thank thee for the chain
That binds our hearts in unison, while we on earth remain;
The bond which makes it possible, though scattered far and wide,
To love so close and love so dear each member of that Bride.

Were glad, e’en though the flesh is bound unto a certain place,
The spirit's free in thought to be with every child of grace.
We’re with each brother in his work, no matter where he be:
In prayer, in love, in daily thought, to wish him victory.

And even where a saint may be whom we have never met,
Some isolated gem, perchance, no brother's seen as yet,
Sweet waves of love go from that heart to each devoted soul,
Unintroduced by earthly form, we’ve reached communion’s goal.

So, loved ones, while we miss your face, we know your heart is here.
We’ve felt the power of your prayers, effectual and sincere.
The many miles that intervene may keep the flesh apart,
But with it there’ a closeness naught of earth can e’er impart.

Benjamin Barton, “Pilgrim Echoes,” page 503