Wisdom Calls

Wisdom Calls

Wisdom, over din and clamor,

calls her suitors,"Turn aside!

Come! I will requite your ardor

as you will with me abide.

In my bower lie the words, which

jealous kings and augurs lust,

full of increase, fearfully rich,

for my lover held in trust."

"Fear the Lord and you will find me.

Find me, other treasures pale.

Gold will rust, fresh wells draw bloody

ere the righteous foot should fail.

Are you simple? Are you senseless?

My words are the faultless path.

Surfeit Folly reaps in violence - 

flee, ere she be stuft with wrath."

"Heed no more the songs of Folly - 

perfumed words dig open graves.

Blood, her milk, and dust her honey,

all her appetites enslave.

Better crust of bread and water

than the wine of Folly's press.

Better still the yearling slaughter

humbly offered, meet to bless."

"Turn aside! My feast is ready

if you would be satisfied,

filled with Truth, of Prudence heady,

in fair Counsel edified.

Ere the dawn of all creation

I have dwelt as God's delight!

Heed my gracious invitation - 

seize on Life and dwell in Light."

Wisdom whispers, still and secret,

"Lean not on your own device.

Christ will keep your pilgrim spirit - 

let no brazen claim entice.

This is faith: He is your treasure.

Glorify your joyous prize,

chase His steps, fill up His measure,

know Him and be counted wise.

~

AMDG/4.4.2014

The Armies of the Lord

The Armies of the Lord

See! The LORD conscripts His armies' might,

assembles His sworn banner-men to fight!

All earthly force His due,

all heav'nly ranks to war! Unto

His purposes they march, as just His right.

Swarming fleas and flies to choke and blind -

He flooded foes, and none could respite find.

His locusts stripped the land,

and frogs enveiled at His command,

consuming all whereof He had the mind.

Wroth, He summoned forth a black-flamed ghost,

and left no aping sorcerer his boast.

Each firstborn life cut down

from utter calf to princely crown;

unstoppable, one hand His vengeful host.

Raised, great Pharaoh's chariot and horse

were sent to set the Tribes their promised course.

God purposed not to slay

His own but, that remembered day,

to feast His fish with such a mighty force.

See! the armies of the LORD are raised

against the hardened heart withholding praise!

No power may refuse

but is expent as He may choose -

life, e'en in death, exalts Him endless days.

~

AMDG

4/10/2014