I Met The Master

I had walked life’s way with an easy tread,
Had followed where comforts and pleasures led,

Until one day in a quite place
I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,
Much thought for my body but none for my soul,

I had entered to win in life’s mad race
When I met the Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see
That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me.

And I faltered and fell at His feet that day
While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished and in their place
Naught else did I see but the Master’s face.

And I cried aloud, “Oh, make me meet
To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet.”

My thought is now for the souls of men;
I have lost my life to find it again.

E’er since one day in a quiet place,
I met the Master face to face.

-anonymous

God’s Unchanging Word

For feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever:
For, though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever.

– Martin Luther, 1483-1546

From A Loved One in Heaven

I would not have you grieve for me today,
Nor weep beside my vacant chair.
Could you but know my daily portion here,
You would not could not, wish me there.

I know now why He said, “Ear hath not heard.”
I have no words, no alphabet
Or even if I had I dare not tell
Because you could not bear it yet.

So, only this, — I am the same,
though changed, Like Him!
A joy so rich and strong
I never dreamed that any heart could hold,
And all my life is one glad song.

Sometimes when you are talking to our Lord
He turns and speaks to me… Dear heart,
In that rare moment you and I
are just The distance of a word apart!

And so, my loved ones, do not grieve for me
Around the family board today;
Instead, rejoice, for we are one in Him,
And so I am not far away.

Did You Meet The Master?

Did you meet the Master?
Did you see His face?
Did you talk with Him,
Ask Him for His grace?

Did you meet the Master
At the break of day,
Before your mind was clouded
With your work or play?

Did you thank the Master
For the air you breathe,
For every creature comfort
You at His hand receive?

Did you meet the Master
Tell Him all your heart?
Tell Him all your burdens,
Ask Him to bear a part?

Did you meet the Master
Throughout all the day?
When you asked for comfort,
Did He tell you “Nay?”

Yes, I met the Master
In the secret place.
Oh! the blessed comfort
When He giveth grace.

-anonymous

Calvary

I did not see Thee lifted high
Amid the savage mob;
I did not hear Thy rending cry,
“Forgive them, O my God!”

But, Lord, I know it was for me
Thy blood and tears were poured;
And now, through weeping eyes, I see
My wounded, precious Lord.

I did not see the awful night
That hid Thee, O my Lord;
I did not see Jehovah smite
The Shepherd with the sword;

But now I know the judgment fell
Upon thy sacred Head,
To save my guilty soul from Hell
And raise me from the dead.

I did not hear Thy loud last sigh
When love’s great work was done,
That rent the veil, the earth and sky
And told that life was won;

But, Lord, I know that Thou hast died
And tasted death for me;
Exalted at Thy Father’s side,
My Lord, my God I see.

-Elias Newman