The Word of God Endures Forever

 

The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:7-8

 

Introduction

 

     I am so glad to see everyone this morning! You had other options. You could have slept it, used this time to catch up on chores, or gone out to some other activity. But you chose to come here this morning. You chose to give glory to God! You came here because you know that there are blessings here in God's word and here together with God's people. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18.20). We are gathered together in the name of Jesus as we come to hear His words. These are the most important words, the most life-changing words that we can ever hear, today, tomorrow and forever. 

 

     Why do we believe this? Why is this more than a family tradition, or a "sweet hour of prayer" that vaguely makes us feel better, or a cultural, aethsetic experience of good literature and music, or a good deed that needs to be done if we ever hope to go to heaven? Why do we believe that God is real, that His word is true, and that these words are the most important words for our lives? This is what I want to focus on today. 

 

Progress or Regress? 

 

     There are three kinds of people in this world: Those who believe in the true God who has always existed and has revealed Himself in nature and in Spirit; Those who know about this God but have rejected him in favor of another view of God; and Those who don't believe God exists or believe there is not enough evidence for His existence. What are we supposed to think of these three groups of people? How did they come to be? Why do almost all cultures have some belief in God? This is quite a serious question for atheists and really for all people. If you watch a show about the history of civilization on this History Channel or some other channel like that, you will always be told that religious beliefs and practices gradually evolved over time just as human beings supposedly gradually evolved from lower animals. There are two big problems with these ideas. First, why did human beings advance so far beyond all other animals with their intellectual, creative, and emotional natures? They are so far advanced that they are practically in another universe of life. And, there are no other creatures that fall in between. Second, why would purely materialistic beings, mere molecular clusters that happen to be alive... why would they ever begin to believe and especially worship non-material beings they call gods? This doesn't make any sense and just doesn't fit with what we observe in life. 

     A better explanation is this: God created this world and human beings. From the beginning these human beings have been intelligent and spiritual. Just because the human beings that lived six thousand years ago didn't have computers or micro-waves, doesn't mean they weren't intelligent. It just means that the accumulation of knowledge has grown. It doesn't mean that intelligence has grown. The fact that there are so many different religions and beliefs about God in different cultures does not necessarily show that religion has evolved. That can just as well be explained, and in fact is better explained, by showing that different cultures have regressed in their religious beliefs and splintered into many different systems of belief.  This also fits with a third very important difference between human beings and all other living things. Human beings struggle with sin, with evil, and with morality. Animals consistently do what they appear to be programed to do, and they have been doing it the same way for millenia. Humans appear to improve at times in their morality and decline at other times. Over all they definitely appear to be declining as the rate of death due to human initiated, not natural disasters, is sharpely rising over time. This was on full display this past week when three university presidents of Ivy League Schools, supposedly the pinnacles of intelligence and human progress, betrayed their utter moral regress... regress, not progress, when they could not say that the call for genocide of Jewish people was evil, despicable and wrong in every way. In some cases, depending on the "context," it could be okay?

 

The Advent of God

 

     Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah addressed the problem of the moral regression of the world. In particular, Israel had regressed in its relationship with God. Israel had joined with all the other nations in the downward spiral of religious depravity. Selfishness, pleasure-seeking, truth-denying attitudes had taken over the land. In chapter thirty Isaiah records this: The people say, "Speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel" (v.11 ESV). He warned them that they had lost their way by trusting in "oppression and perverseness" (v.12 ESV). "Woe to those," he said in chapter five, "who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (v.20 ESV). For this reason judgment would come upon Israel and eventually upon the whole world. 

 

     Yet, in the midst of all this, Isaiah delivered a powerful message of hope. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, thather warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins" (40.1-2 KJV). This is what Advent is all about. This is why we are here today because we know, as morally messed up this world is, and as morally messed up as we are ourselves, God has not given up on this world or on us. Isaiah could see far into the future on this issue. He announced a voice in the wilderness who would prepare the way of the LORD. That is, it wouldn't be just another prophet coming into the world, it would be the LORD Himself. Seven hundred years passed, and the man called John appeared in the wilderness of Judea. He called for the straightening of our moral paths through repentance and forgiveness. He sealed that repentance and forgiveness in his baptism in the Jordan river. His simple, survivalist life-style showed his intense, zeroed in message, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1.7-8). 

 

     The Advent of God in the voice of the prophets like Isaiah and John, and finally in the life of His own eternal Son, Jesus, is our ultimate hope against moral and spiritual regression. The world began good and beautiful. It began spiritual and intelligent. But because of sin, a uniquely human problem and certainly our problem, it has been and continues to be torn down. Jesus came to die that He might wash away our sins and restore that Spirit of Holiness to us. John came preaching in the desert, eating the desert food of grasshoppers and honey. But through Jesus he knew that all who received the Holy Spirit in the forgiveness of sins would live forever in a new heaven and earth, in a restored Garden of Eden. 

 

The Word of Our God Stands Forever

 

     Everyday we are told the lie that God is not real or irrelevant. Our society, just like Isaiah's wants to hear the "smooth words" that sanction our sinful desires rather than call us to repentance for them.  But God's word is hardly defeated. The flaming vitality of the Holy Spirit is far from extinguished. We need to remember that, rejoice in that, and be a part of that. This Advent light your Advent candles, read your Advent Bible verses, pray your Advent prayers, sing your Advent and Christmas songs. Tell and show the world that God is real. Grace is real. Forgiveness is real. Truth is real. Christ has come, is coming through His word, and will come again to bring justice and justification to this world. You do not need to be part of the spiritual regression of this world. True religion is not evolving. It is being restored. You are part of the spiritual restoration of this world. It was created good, spiritual, and intelligent through His word. It is being restored again in a good, spiritual and intelligent way through His word, Jesus, that endures forever. Amen. 

Advent Family Devotions December 13, 2012

St. Lucia

Opening Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank You for coming at Christmas to save us from evil. Amen.

Scripture:  2 Timothy 3.12-17

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Message:

     As we get ready to celebrate one of the happiest and most joyous events in the life of Jesus – His birth at Christmas – we also should remember that most people who were alive at the time of the first Christmas did not love Jesus or welcome Him.

     You remember that there was no room for Mary and Joseph when they went to Bethlehem. No one would even give up their room for Mary to have her baby.   Mary had to lay Jesus in a manger.  As we continue reading further about the first Christmas, we remember that King Herod was very angry about the birth of Jesus, and he tried to kill Him. 

     Many people would try to argue with Jesus and try to hurt Him.  Finally Jesus died on the cross.  But His dying became our salvation.  Just as Jesus’ birth was a great miracle, so was His resurrection from the dead.  Jesus conquered all the evil of this world with the power of God’s love. 

     All the disciples of Jesus would eventually suffer persecution.  As they taught about Jesus, some would believe, but many would reject His love.  They would get angry, and they would hurt the disciples.  But they were not afraid.  They knew that God’s love in Jesus was stronger than any evil of this world. 

     There have been many Christians who have suffered for their faith. Today, in some parts of the world, Christians are remembering a girl named Lucia.  Lucia lived in Italy about three hundred years after the time of Jesus.  She was a Christian.  A man wanted to marry Lucia, but she didn’t want to be married.  He got angry with her and betrayed her to the governor.  The governor tried to make Lucia worship the emperor instead of Jesus, but she would not.  For this Lucia became a martyr.  Since her name means “light,” some Christians began to remember her faithfulness by making wreathes of candles that they wore on their heads. 

     In our Scripture lesson today, St. Paul wrote to Timothy and encouraged him not to be afraid of evil people.  He told him to keep on remembering God’s word and doing good works.  That is still important advice for all Christians today:  Remember God’s word and our salvation in Jesus.  Keep doing the good works that shine the light of God’s love in this world.  (Good Shepherd Chapel Message, December 13, 2012)

Prayer:  Lord of Life, help all the people of the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Help me to remember Your word, Your salvation and help me to do good works so that the light of Your love might be known in this world. Amen.  

Hymn:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Click here for the melody.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:  Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to Thee, O Israel

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain 

Advent Family Devotion for Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Advent Healing

(Photo by GSLC Member Bob Morris, Collinsville, Illinois)

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to bring forgiveness for our sins and healing for our diseases. Amen.

Scripture:  Malachi 4.2
"But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings."

Meditation:
     Yesterday I visited one of our members in the hospital. She is broken. She is hurt. She needs healing. Sooner or later all of us have to experience this. We become sick or we are hurt. Life if full of trouble like that.

     Some people try not to think about it. They avoid hospitals. They don't talk to their friends who are sick or hurt. They try to imagine that nothing bad will ever happen to them. That is very sad, because they are going to have a very hard time when things become difficult.

     In many places the Bible says that the Messiah* comes to bring righteousness (forgiveness of sins) and healing.  Malachi compares the Messiah to a sunrise.  As the sun begins to rise, the light shoots out like a bird lifting up its wings.  

     Jesus comes like that. His righteousness and healing shoot out to all the world. In His earthly ministry He healed many people. Today He hears our prayers and gives us healing according to His will. One day all disease and death will be healed in heaven.

     * The Greek translation of "Messiah" is "Christ."  

For Discussion:
1.  Do you know anyone who is sick?

2.  What could you do to help them?  (Visit, Send a Card, Say a Prayer)

3.  How could you remind them that Jesus brings healing?  (Share Bible promises with them.)  

Closing Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please help all the sick people, especially _____________.  Remind them that You came to bring healing for our souls and for our bodies.  Amen. 

Hymn:  "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow" Paul Gerhardt

Click here for the melody.

Now rest beneath night’s shadow
The woodland, field, and meadow,
The world in slumber lies;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake thee;
Let praise to thy Creator rise.

The radiant sun hath vanished,
His golden rays are banished
By night, the foe of day;
But Christ, the Sun of gladness,
Dispelling all my sadness,
Within my heart holds constant sway.

The rule of day is over
And shining jewels cover
The heaven’s boundless blue.
Thus I shall shine in heaven,
Where crowns of gold are given
To all who faithful prove and true.

To rest my body hasteth,
Aside its garments casteth,
Types of mortality;
These I put off and ponder
How Christ will give me yonder
A robe of glorious majesty.

Lord Jesus, who dost love me,
Oh, spread Thy wings above me
And shield me from alarm!
Though evil would assail me,
Thy mercy will not fail me:
I rest in Thy protecting arm.

Advent Family Devotions Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Is Jesus Real?

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to learn as much as we can about You, to believe in You, and to live in You.  Amen.  

Scripture:  Luke 2.1-3
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town."

Meditation:
     Sunday, December 23rd, children from Good Shepherd will be presenting their own Christmas service. Some of the children are practicing recitations from the Bible including the passage above.  Whoever reads that little passage is going to have to work a little aren't they? There are some specific names, titles and places mentioned.  These kinds of passages, as difficult as they may be to say, are very important. They show that the Bible is not just a story book.  It is a very real book telling us about real people, places and events.   

     Newsweek magazine is now running an article questioning the truthfulness of the Christmas account in the Bible. We always see these kinds of articles and documentaries coming at this time of the year. But if you actually read the Bible and just think a little about what you are reading, you will easily see that this isn't a story book at all.  There are just too many facts that connect with real life and history.

     What do we really know about Jesus?  We know a lot. But most important, at Christmas we know that Jesus is God's Son, who was born of the Virgin Mary to save us from our sins.  

For Discussion:
1.  Why do people like to think that the Bible is just a story book and and not a book about real people and real things?  (Controversy sells magazines!  Some people just don't want to believe in Jesus.)

2.  Why is it such a blessing to know that Jesus is real?  (Because our sins and all our problems in life are very real, and we need a very real savior.)

Closing Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for giving us the Bible and for teaching us about Jesus. Help us to learn more about Him and to live in faith and love according to Your word.  Amen.

Hymn:  "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"

Click here for the melody.


Infant holy, infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging, angels singing,
Bells are ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all!
Christ the child is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
Praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the child was born for you!
Christ the child was born for you!

Advent Family Devotions Monday, December 10, 2012

My Messenger

Opening Prayer:
Lord God, we praise You that You keep all Your promises. Above all, we thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus whose way Malachi prophesied and John prepared. Help us to respond to this gift with great joy. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Scripture: Malachi 3.1
Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Meditation:

Today’s reading comes from the book of Malachi. The identity of this prophet is unknown and many scholars indicate that this book is not named after the prophet but rather comes from this verse. The words translated as “my messenger” come from the Hebrew word “Malachi.” So the author of the book of Malachi may well have had this name or because this verse is so important to this short book and so important in salvation history the book and the unknown author have simply become known as “my messenger.”

This verse comes from the Old Testament lesson for the third Sunday in Advent and was chosen because of its fulfillment in the person and work of John the Baptizer. Clearly John comes to prepare the way of the Lord, but even more to the point of the prophesy the Lord Jesus comes not only as the Messenger of the covenant but also as the ultimate fulfillment of that covenant. That covenant first made with Adam and Eve in the Garden promised that a Savior would come.

The angel instructed Joseph to call the child Mary was expecting “Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” We call Him Savior, not because that is His name but because that is what He has accomplished for us. Like Malachi before Him the mission so was central to His life it became His name. We call Him Immanuel because He is God with us. Fulfilling the covenant by crushing Satan and saving us from our sin required the Son of God to like us in every way. The incarnation is a wondrous mystery and unfathomable gift. Still, as we confess in the Apostles’ creed, “He is conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead.” And as we also confess in the Nicene creed it was “for us men and for our salvation (He) came down from heaven.”

St. Paul writes, “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21) This is the real gift of Christmas. By grace through faith in Christ we are declared right with God. The covenant has been fulfilled, the Savior has come, and now we like Malachi before us are privileged to be the messengers of the Good News of great joy.

For Discussion:

1. What do the names Jesus, Savior, Immanuel, Lord, Christ, mean to you?

2. We call ourselves Christian which means “little Christ.” How can we live up to the name that we claim?

3. The gift of Christmas is Christ and the message and mission of Christ is salvation. How can we share this Good News of great joy during this festive season.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to save us. As we look forward to celebrating Your birth again this Christmas help us to remember the purpose of Your coming and all You went through for us and for our salvation. Amen.

Hymn:  “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord”

Click here for the melody.

1. Let the earth now praise the Lord.
Who hath truly kept His word
And the sinners' Help and Friend
Now at last to us doth send.

2. What the fathers most desired,
What the prophets' heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year,
Stands fulfilled in glory here.

3. Abrams promised great Reward,
Zion's Helper, Jacob's Lord, --
Him of twofold race behold, --
Truly came, as long foretold.

4. Welcome, 0 my Savior, now!
Hail! My Portion, Lord, art Thou.
Here, too, in my heart, I pray,
Oh, prepare Thyself a way!

5. King of Glory, enter in;
Cleanse it from the filth of sin,
As Thou hast so often done;
It belongs to Thee alone.

6. As Thy coming was in peace,
Quiet, full of gentleness,
Let the same mind dwell in me
That was ever found in Thee.

7. Comfort my desponding heart:
Thou my Strength and Refuge art.
I am weak, and cunningly
Satan lays his snares for me.

8. Bruise for me the Serpent's head,
That, set free from doubt and dread,
I may cleave to Thee in faith,
Safely kept through life and death,

9. And when Thou dost come again
As a glorious King to reign,
I with joy may see Thy face,
Freely ransomed by Thy grace.

Submitted by James F. Ritter

Advent Family Devotions Saturday, December 8, 2012

Like Adam and Eve

Opening Prayer:
Holy God,  save Your people and come to them. Do not let the world overcome them. Amen.

Scripture:  1 Thessalonians 3:13
"May [He] establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."


Meditation:
What comes to your mind when You hear the words "blameless" and "holy"? I think of Adam and Eve before they turned from God and sinned. They had no evil thoughts. They did nothing wrong. They were completely innocent and blameless before God.

No one I know, myself included, is like that today. The Bible says, "We have all sinned and fall short of  glory of God" (Romans 3.23).  Everyone has to admit that. The Small Catechism says "We daily sin much and deserve nothing but God's wrath." No matter how hard we try to be good, we will never be good enough for God. No matter how hard we try to be the perfect child, parent, or Christian, we will never be able to do it.

God knows this, and that is why He sent His perfect Son, Jesus. Jesus came to show us our sin and to forgive us of our sin by His dying on the cross. He came to establish our "hearts blameless in holiness." He came to make us like Adam and Eve before they sinned.

Martin Luther recommended that everyday Christians should wake up and make the sign of the cross to remind them who they are and to whom they belong. He also recommended they say, "I pray that You would keep me this day from all sin and evil and that all my doings in life may please you. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things..."

God will make us the way we need to be as we wait for His coming again.  Amen

For Discussion:
1. In what ways have you displeased God?
2. How did Jesus bring us holiness?
3.Do you think God will help you in your holiness if you ask Him?

Closing Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me of all my sins, and help me everyday neither to fall into any kind of sin or danger. Amen

Hymn:  "Let Me Learn of Jesus"

Let me learn of Jesus;
He is kind to me;
Once He died to save me,
Nailed upon the tree.

When I go to Jesus,
He will hear me pray,
Make me pure and holy,
Take my sins away.

Let me think of Jesus;
He is full of love,
Looking down upon me
From His throne above.

Oh, how good is Jesus!
May He hold my hand
And at last receive me
To a better land.

Advent Family Devotions for Friday, December 7, 2012

Someone Will Come

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming at Christmas to be our Savior. Amen.

Scripture:
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  We bless you from the house of the Lord."
  Psalm 118.26

Meditation:
     What would you teach your children to do if they were lost in the woods?  That's a scary thought.  There are number of things that they should not do.  The United States Search and Rescue Task Force has a website that teaches children what they should do if they become lost in the woods.  One of the most important things they should do is to stay in one place.  They need to know that someone will come to them. Someone will find them.

     One of the most important truths of the Bible is that God comes to help and save His people. God came to Adam and Eve after they got lost in sin to talk to them, to lead them to repentance, and to forgive them. God came to Abraham when he was lost and wandering to give him a promise that He would bless him.  God came to Job when he was lost in pain and suffering to help and to heal him.

     When we feel like we are lost in this world, when we lose our way spiritually by turning away from God, we can be happy that God does not turn away from us.  He will come to us. He does come to us.  God sent His Son Jesus to save the entire world that was lost in sin.

     God came to us in our baptisms. He comes to us through His Word and in Holy Communion. Sometimes God comes to us through His helpers - our parents, teachers, pastors and friends.  When we feel a little lost, we can take be sure that someone will come. God will come.

For Discussion:
1. Talk about a time when you were lost.  How did you feel?
2. How were you found?  How did you feel about that?
3. As Christmas comes, how do we feel about God coming to us in Jesus?

Closing Prayer:
Dear God, if I ever get lost, help me to look to You, because I know You will help me. You sent Your Son to save me.  Amen.

Hymn: "I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes"

Click here for the melody.


I am so glad when Christmas comes,
The night of Jesus’ birth,
When Bethl’em’s star shone as the sun
And angels sang with mirth.

The little child of Bethlehem,
The King of heav’nly grace,
Came down from His exalted throne
To save our fallen race.

He’s now returned to heav’n above,
God’s Son He is alway;
He ne’er forgets His little ones
But hears them when they pray.

I too would sing my Savior’s praise,
My joy, my crown, my Lord;
For He has made me His own.

Advent Family Devotions Thursday, December 6, 2012

A Beautiful Bride

Prayer:  Holy God, thank You for sending Jesus to make us holy. Amen.

Scripture:  Revelation 21.1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Meditation:

     Brides are supposed to be beautiful... beautiful hair, beautiful make-up, and especially a beautiful dress! But what if the bride is ugly? What if she is dirty? What if her dress is torn? What if she is mean and disrespectful? What groom would want to marry her?

     Last night at our Advent service, Seminarian Martin Dressler talked about an ugly bride. But he wasn't talking about a particular woman. The Bible calls the church, the people of God, a "bride." This "bride" isn't very beautiful. She is sometimes mean. She sometimes ignores God and does as she pleases. Instead of loving God she sometimes loves the world. 

     This bride is not lovable, but God truly loves her. God sent His Son to marry her, to clean her and make her beautiful through His forgiveness. He loved her so much that He gave His life for her when He died on the cross. 

     Jesus rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. But the Bible says that He is coming again. He's coming again to claim His bride and to take her to heaven. 

     When you feel guilty and ashamed because you haven't been a beautiful person in all your thoughts, words, and actions, remember that God still loves you and always wants to come to you and to make you beautiful again. 

Prayer:  God of love, help us to be Your beautiful bride in all of our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Hymn:  "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People"

Click here for the melody.

Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

Hark, the Herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance
Since the Kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.