Cornerstone

Psa 63:1-2

Moving to the southern California concrete jungle was a learning experience for our family. One of the things that intrigued me was the huge concrete trenches cutting across the landscape of Los Angeles. These manmade ruts were very wide and deep. They had cement walls on each side and a rocky base. I asked one of the parishioners why the city’s unique beauty was marred by these dry furrows. His answer was simple. “Those are our rivers.” I laughed.

I understood what he meant when the snows in the mountains began to melt. The water rushed down toward the city and quickly gorged the “river” so that they were filled from bank to bank.

As I recalled this experience I remembered times when my spirit was as dry as the Los Angeles “rivers.” On one occasion as I went through a dry spell I cried out to the Lord for a time of spiritual renewal. I had not sinned. I was doing my best to live close to God.

I was in college and was serving as an usher at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness). The church was full each service. The ushers had to put out many folding chairs. We had to continually be aware of any empty spaces so we could seat people who arrived late to church. One particular Sunday I was standing at the back of the Church prepared to help anyone needing assistance. I felt an inner ache. I prayed asking God to touch my spirit with His refreshing presence. He answered as the song leader began to lead the old hymn written by Charles Wesley: “Arise, My soul, Arise.” The snows melted in the mountains. The waters of deliverance gushed down through the mountain passes. The dry, barren river bed of my soul was suddenly gorged with the blessed presence of God.

By Dr. Gayle Woods

Arise, My Soul, Arise
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

Rev 5:5-10

Since I was a child I have heard the expression, “If March comes in like a Lion it will leave like a Lamb. ” Well, March 2004 came to Kansas City like a Lion. I suppose we can expect it to leave like a Lamb.

It is quite a paradox that our Lord came to this world as a Lamb. He came peacefully and to bring peace to the hearts of mankind. As the Lamb of God He gave His life freely as a sacrificial offering so that we might have a relationship with God. We are told in His Word, however, that He will come again and this time as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. His roar will be heard throughout the world. He will come as King and Conqueror to vanquish all of His enemies once and for all.

To this we raise the cry, “All hail King Jesus! All hail Emmanuel! ” May the one who came as a Lamb return as a Lion for those who love Him and serve Him. Then around the throne we will be able to join with “… every creature that is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, ” [saying] “…Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. ”

Dr. Gayle Woods