Were There No God (or, Glad Forevermore)

Today's poem was inspired in part by a birthday card for my dad who turns 83 today! Also in part by a passage of Scripture I read this morning entitled Heirs of GraceTitus 3: 1-7Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. I am so thankful to God that thankfulness is more than delight's noise disappearing into deaf air!!My heart overflows with joy, for without God there would be no goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our life till we dwell in his house forever!!I am so thankful to the Giver of which includes days like yesterday'svery precious moments with two little girlswho used to be in my childcare... "this is me and you holding hands" explained artist Were there no God our gladness would depend on fleeting thrillsOur brokenness would be a hopeless state of disrepair/deep despairWere there no God, what Great Physician would heal hurts and illsOf both body and soul or who would heed our earnest prayer? Were there no God, no grace would kindle purpose, kind and trueDeath and hell never overthrown, would crush all joy with woeNo author of salvation, no ‘greater is He in you’No hope would anchor; we would be like ships tossed to and froNo love of God, our Saviour who suffered death’s cross, so grimTo justify all who repent and put their faith in Him Were there no God our would-be thanks/praise would have nowhere to goWorship would be idolatry; darkness devoid of LightAh, who with renewed mercy would help us to face the foeThe armour of the world inept to fit us for the fightWhere faith and hope without their Cornerstone, are not enoughWere there no God to breathe in us, the greatest of these; Love Were there no God, no ‘ought’ would be able to guide and keepThe law would dictate; hate would rule with agonizing fearsThere would be no Good Shepherd for a world of wand’ring sheepNo Fold, no Path of righteousness, no Comforter for tearsNo peace in the valley, no one to set sin’s captives freeFrom the dread of impending hell for all eternity Were there no God no good would/could be, no beauty to beholdWant would gape in futility, nothing would satisfyWere there no God to shower wondrous blessings, manifoldTo we who cannot comprehend love’s unfailing supplyAs joy transcends death’s cold façade, as like eagles we soarFor all who put their hope in God are glad forevermore © Janet Martin Ps.126:3The LORD hath done great things for us, Whereof we are glad. Isa.40:31but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.