
Prologue
The tree once green has now grown dry.
Bright flames, all wickedness decry.
Dawn, the day’s clandestine spy
will soon pry darkness from the sky.
Awake, shake slumber from your eye.
Lift up the gates and raise them high!
The King of Glory draweth nigh!
The Testimony
Within a world where lies abound,
And truth lies buried in the ground,
The bird of trust no perch can find,
As darkness overwhelms the mind,
Yet on mankind a light has shined.
I trust the One who broke the night, Whose word is truth that blazes light.
I’d thought no meaning could be found,
Because I’d kept my conscience bound,
Indulged in things I never should,
Convinced myself that they were good,
Until by grace I understood.
I trust the One whose ways are wise, From whom all purposes arise.
Though bound for death, I played pretend,
I treated darkness as my friend,
Enslaved in sin, thought I was free,
Was blind to my depravity,
And yet His mercy pardoned me.
I trust the One who loved me first, Despite despising Him as curst.
He placed a salve upon my eyes,
And then I saw Him in the skies,
And saw myself down in the mire,
Deserving nothing but the fire,
But now I’m singing in His choir.
I trust the One who gave me sight, To see my wrongs and see his Right.
I looked again and saw the cross,
And all my gain I counted loss,
As all my sin my Savior bore,
I knew that it was mine no more,
Now He alone will I adore.
I trust the One whose name is Grace, Who knew my sin yet took my place.
He bore my sin into the grave,
Then rose again my soul to save,
And now He’s reigning from on high,
His bright return is drawing nigh,
When all will see Him, ev’ry eye!
I trust the One who cannot lie, As He arose, so too shall I!
When He returns to judge the world,
All sins and secrets then unfurled,
And on that day, ’twill be too late,
The sheep and goats He’ll separate,
Assign to each their rightful fate.
I trust the One who shepherds me, And paid my debt on Calvary.
Then all who’ve sinned He’ll cast away,
Upon that dreadful judgment day,
Except for those He truly knows,
But all the rest He’ll count as foes,
And send to their eternal woes.
So trust Him now, His word is true, Obey His voice, He's calling you!
And know a love you’ve never known,
The God who set aside His throne,
And suffered, died, to win His bride,
And rose to draw her to His side,
That through Him she’d be glorified.
Epilogue
Behold Him now, arrayed in light,
And seated on a throne of might.
The angels bow in holy fear,
And yet He bids His bride draw near,
Her blood-washed beauty spotless white,
He smiles at her in sheer delight.
“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.”
The Prophet Isaiah, chapter 60, verse 2
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Jesus, recorded in John’s Gospel, chapter 6, verse 40
“To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 2, verse 14
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
Jesus, recorded in John’s Gospel, chapter 3, verses 18-19
Image credit: Albert Bierstadt, 1863, Rocky Mountains, Lander’s Peak, Public Domain
© Craig Sabin 2022 All rights reserved
Brilliant Craig. So wonderfully and beautifully done. Encouraging, uplifting and evangelistic.
To God be the glory.
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Thank you, Crissy, for your encouraging comment. May the Lord of Glory receive all the glory, indeed!
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You brought a smile to me! God bless you!
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I’m so glad to know you were encouraged! May the Lord bless you as well!
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What can I add to the accolades here but your godly writing has brightened my heart this morning. Thank you brother for utilizing the gifts from God to edify His body.
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Praise the Lord, I am blessed to know that you found encouragement here! It’s my prayer that others would be encouraged even as I pray that the Lord would be glorified. Blessing to you, Lisa Beth.
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Very nice, Craig.
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Thank you, GR!
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Wonderfully well written Craig. Everyone needs a testimony of love light and trust in their creator-redeemer
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Thank you, Gary. Amen, for we who have received it, it is ours to testify and His to receive the glory and honor and praise. May many more come to know Him!
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This is beautiful lyric poetry, Craig. Has it been set to music yet?
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Thank you, Ann. I’m glad you like it, but no, no music. I’m not very musical, I’m afraid. Were I a bird I would be one of those awful birds who does not sing but only screeches and squawks, LOL, but with enthusiasm.
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Craig, wonderful poetry and narration! You did a great job pulling the scriptures and verse into a prologue, testimony, and epilogue. Blessings! 🌺
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Thank you for noticing, Jeanne. I appreciate your encouragement! Blessings to you as well.
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Craig this is exquisitely expressed! It’s always a joy to read your poetry. Have you ever considered putting your poems into a book?
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I would definitely buy this book. Moreover, I’d like to have this posted on my wall!
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Thank you, Lisa Beth. That is powerful encouragement!
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That’s very kind of you to say, Jo! It has crossed my mind, as some of my family have also suggested it. I actually did create a small collection (too short to really publish by most standards) entitled, “Though I Am Small.” I printed it through Shutterfly and gave it to several folks in my family, but wasn’t really sure anyone else would have an interest. Perhaps I ought to pray about it…
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Amen. This is wonderful, brother! The meter, or whatever you call when the syllables are stressed and unstressed, flows beautifully. Great scripture references as well. God Bless!
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Thank you, David! I’m so glad you noticed. Yes, in an era where all poetic forms seem to have been scrapped and set aside (and what passes for poetry has become largely unrecognizable and unintelligible to the likes of me), I’m still drawn to rhyme and meter and can’t help myself from falling into those old patterns. Thanks for your encouragement. Blessings to you as well!
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