The Wonderful Work of Christ

“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; Neither feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:4-5

As we have been contemplating a life of worship we must always remember the One we are worshipping and the reason we can worship Him. The finished work of Jesus Christ remains the most wonderful, marvelous, and powerful work there ever was, or will be, in the history of man. Though the above passage of Scripture uses the image of a woman and her husband, it is a picture of Christ and His bride. We, who are in Christ, are His bride and this passage gives us a glimpse of the wonderful work that He has done for us.

For our reflection this week I present to you a poem/writing by Ralph Erskine. Ralph Erskine (1685-1752) was born in Monilaws, Northumberland, Scotland where his father, Henry Erskine, was a minister. As a child, Ralph wrote in his schoolbook, “Lord, put Thy fear in my heart. Let my thoughts be holy, and let me do for Thy glory, all that I do. Bless me in my lawful work. Give a good judgment and memory — a firm belief in Jesus Christ, and an assured token of Thy love.” In 1709 Ralph became a minister and preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His devotion to God, His Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is evident in his writings. May you see in this poem the wonderful work of Christ and capture it with your heart.

"Thy Maker is thy Husband."—Isa 54:5

Art thou by lusts a captive led,
Which breeds thy deepest grief?
To ransom captives is his trade,
Thy husband's thy relief.

His precious name is JESUS, why?
Because he saves from sin;
Redemption's right he won't deny,
Thy husband's near of kin.

His wounds have saved thee once from woes,
His blood from vengeance screened;
When heaven, and earth, and hell were foes,
Thy husband was a friend.

And will thy captain now look on,
And see thee trampled down?
When, lo! thy champion has the throne,
Thy husband wears the crown.

Yield not, though cunning Satan bribe,
Or like a lion roar;
The Lion strong of Judah's tribe,
Thy husband's to the fore.

And that he never will forsake,
His credit fair he pawned;
In hottest broils, then, courage take,
Thy husband's at thy hand.

No storm needs drive thee to a strait,
Who dost his aid invoke:
Fierce winds may blow, proud waves may beat;
Thy husband is the rock.

Renounce thine own ability,
Lean to his promised might;
The strength of Israel cannot lie,
Thy husband's power is plight.

An awful truth does here present,
Whoever think it odd;
In him thou art omnipotent,
Thy husband is a God.

JEHOVAH'S strength is in thy head,
Which faith may boldly scan;
God in thy nature does reside,
Thy husband is a man.

Thy flesh is his, his spirit thine;
And that you both are one,
One body, spirit, temple, vine,
Thy husband deigns to own.

Kind, he assumed thy flesh and blood
This union to pursue;
And without shame his brotherhood
Thy husband does avow.

He bore the cross thy crown to win,
His blood he freely spilt;
The holy One assuming sin,
Thy husband bore the guilt.

Lo! What a blessed exchange is this?
What wisdom shines therein?
That thou might'st be made righteousness,
Thy husband was made sin.

The God of joy a man of grief,
Thy sorrows to discuss;
Pure Innocence hanged as a thief:
Thy husband loved thee thus.

Bright beauty had his visage marred,
His comely form abused:
True rest was from all rest debarred,
Thy husband's heel was bruised.

The God of blessings was a curse,
The Lord of Lords a drudge;
The heir of all things poor in purse
Thy husband did not grudge.

The Judge of all condemned was
The God immortal slain:
No favor in the woeful cause
Thy husband did obtain.

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Chuck Long. ©God’sGWG. Website: www.Godsgwg.com. Email: Godsgwg@juno.com