This poem came out of two things. The routine of my prayers in the morning and a sermon series that my pastor and friend, David Prince, just finished this past week. It was called the “10 Words of Freedom” and was an expository look at the 10 Commandments. I highly recommend it.
The Fruit of Meditating on the Law
In the morning I pray
“O Lord, open my eyes today
That I might see what is beautiful
Your Law that is incorruptible”
Although I am among His redeemed
There still lies within me an ancient fiend
Those fleshly desires that war against my soul
They seek to turn my heart black as coal
O God, I am weak today
I desperately need your Spirit, this is why I pray
O Father, walk with me, protect me
That my flesh and that prowling lion may have no glee
For this is my fate
If, without You, I leave my gate
Other gods will be before You
Carved images will dominate my view
In vain I will bear your Name
The Sabbath I will defame
Father and mother, I will ignore
Murderous anger from my heart will pour
Adulterous eyes will wander to and from
A thieving work ethic I will not overcome
False witness will be on my tongue
And I will covet until I am undone
O Father, I can not approach You
For I am marked by sin’s tattoo
I need a mediator, One who is pure
Who can approach the thick darkness and make me secure
Praise be to God, who has provided
A mediator has come, in Him we are united
His name is Jesus, Son of man, Son of God
He is Messiah King, the One who bears the rod
For He approached the thick darkness where God was
And took my case, pleaded my cause
He bore the wrath that was reserved for me
He broke the shackles of sin, set me free
This is the end of seeing what is beautiful
The Law of God which is incorruptible
Unrighteousness revealed in our souls
Our helpless lot, beyond our control
And the good news of the Gospel becoming real
Grace and Mercy, an abundant meal
Yes. This is why I meditate on the law as I pray
For I need the Gospel to get through today.
And so do you.
~sdg
The Camel's Hump 