Selah
Your ways, O God, are righteous
You speak to me with power
Your Word is absolute to all
You are zealous that I trust in you.
Your ways, O God, are mysterious
You give me a love I do not understand
Your Word is necessary to my soul
You are from everlasting to everlasting.
Your ways, O God, are holy
You illuminate my finite mind
Your Word is reward to all
You are Virtue that I must follow.
Your ways, O God, are just
You fulfill my eternal longings
Your Word is quietness to my soul
You are the Great All-knowing.
R.K. Richardson
© 1992 R.K. Richardson. All rights reserved.
Preacher’s Lament
Why does no one serve the Lord,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one carry the load,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one heed the message,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one talk with God,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one hear the call,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one weep for sinners,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one tell the lost,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
Why does no one care anymore,
I’ve often thought and pondered.
Is it not important anymore,
I’ve often asked and wondered.
And then my Lord in His great wisdom
Spoke gently to my heart.
There are a few that still do,
And yes, it is very important.
R. Keith Richardson
(C) 1992 R.K. Richardson. All rights reserved.
Only Child
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Sometimes we feel sad and over-burdened by the issues of life. Perhaps a friend has sliced open a wound with words. Perhaps your heart has been spurned, rejected.
I wrote this poem several years ago at a low point in my own life. It was through the words of the refrain, “. . . Your promises and love,” that I eventually overcame my hardship. You too will discover that when the storms of life rage that clinging to God’s Word is the only life raft we really need.
Only Child
O my Lord, I sorrow great
I left here full
And return empty and bitter.
Lord, You know my despair
You feel my soul aching
For springs of Living Water.
My tears fall easily and unrestrained
I feel like You’re only child.
So desperately I need to cling
To Your promises and love.
They say home is a place of love
But it is agony and alone-ness I feel
Lord hold me—cradle me close
I long to feel Your strong arms about
Another day I cannot face
My world is solitary, empty.
My tears fall easily and unrestrained
I feel like You’re only child.
So desperately I need to cling
To Your promises and love.
You are my Lord, my great Physician
The healer of my soul.
Only you can salve my sickened spirit
Please quiet my life…slow my heart.
Show me green pastures where I may graze
And rest peacefully by rolling streams.
My tears fall easily and unrestrained
I feel like You’re only child.
So desperately I need to cling
To Your promises and love.
(C)1992 R. Keith Richardson. All rights reserved.
