A Long Joy-Song or Before The World Began

John 17:1-5“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began... *** Someday we will enter eternity,where there will be no time constraints on our joy song!where poetry won't be criticized for being 'too wordy' or long,and where no words will be neededto worship our Saviour!Hallelujah! ready? Set...Go!! The past weekend had many 'glad' momentsbut all pale in comparison to the reason for the Easter-season! This was the Easter sunrise! (I would have loved to do this post on Easter morning butdinner-prep and early church service kept me hopping!) He makes me glad; no eloquence of loving speech can tell blood-bought; enough to cheer my soul full-wellWonder confounds thought’s finite scope; awe utters ‘what is manThat Triune God would anchor Hope before the world began?’ He makes me glad; praise He from whom redemption’s wellsprings roarThough I have played the harlot and Judas, He loved me so He makes me glad; I shall not want because at CalvaryHe bore the cross, its gore and taunt and sword, to set me free, to prove the power of His NameHe rose again; He overthrew death and hell’s hopeless claim He makes me glad; joy bids me sing in awed humilityWho saw beyond the agony of his Son, sacrificed He makes me glad; And could fulfill salvation’s grim demandThe power of t , theJesus! Sin’s outpoured offering affordsHe makes me glad; though oft we grieve this world’s darkness-filled boastthe Holy Ghost He makes me glad for Nor entered into human hearts the things God has preparedFor all who love Him,s vain glory-grind He makes me glad; though all else fails God is not overthrown ;And though many are sick and weak, by His goodness unstirred He makes me glad; though oft I rue the tempter’s cunning viceAccomplishing mad blindness toWho satisfied the wrath of God through love’s divine decree He makes me glad, though often love makes me too sad to laughHe understands the tear-filled trove I lift on their behalf, no Fearless, though unprepared to meet the Saviour of their soul He makes me glad; goodness and mercy follow me alwaysHis comfort strengthens tenderly and fills my heart with praiseFor He has made me glad; my prayer, my joy cries ‘what is manOh God, You knew the cross was there © Janet Martin Eph.1:3-6Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. 1 Pet.1:18-19For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.