When Heaven Spoke
“To the LAW and to the TESTIMONY: if they speak not according to this word,
it is because there is no light in them” (Isa 8:20, KJV).
When I was very tiny, and only about one or two years old,
My mother and father were baptized, and thus entered the Shepherd’s fold.
And by that I mean, they gave their lives to God, but how, I’d like to share,
For it’s all about His amazing love, yes, it’s all about His care.
Okay, here we go…
My parents didn’t know which denomination a Christian should choose,
As they'd received visits from differing Faiths, hence that old question, “Whose?”
Yes, they wanted to follow God, and attend a church somewhere also,
But oh, which denomination they should embrace, they wanted to know.
As the visits to their home came and went, that question burned in their mind,
For the answer was an answer that they now badly wanted to find.
And on their mind too, was God’s great moral Law — the Ten Commandments — that
One Faith had rightfully pointed to, as around the Bible they sat.
Well…
One day when my mother was busy ironing — she paused — seeking God in prayer,
And with the Father, her concern and growing frustration sought to share.
Thus there she stood, with her eyes tightly closed, light bathing the sunroom wall,
And the God who hears every prayer, lovingly responded to her call.
Oh yes, and how, for as my mother raised her head and opened her eyes,
She saw the answer written across the sunroom wall, and felt joy rise.
For right across that sunroom wall in letters that she could clearly see,
Was a Bible text which stated: “To the law and to the testimony…”
From then on, they became ardent Commandment keepers, and willingly,
They knowing that those who truly love God, respond obediently,
Not to be saved, of course, (for only grace saves), but out of gratitude,
For those who’re genuine will certainly have the right attitude.
You see, though God is a God of love, He’s a God of justice also,
He knowing that law has its rightful place, both above and down below.
For without law — either in Heaven or on earth — there’d be anarchy,
In other words, no order, no direction, and no security.
Hence why good parents discipline — they knowing too — that rules are needed,
And that true happiness only comes when such boundaries are heeded.
Though they want their child to respond to such out of love, (naturally),
They realize that despite such a response, rules are still necessary.
Well, God’s a parent too — He our heavenly Father — who clearly knows
That our response here, the true condition of our heart invariably shows.
And hence why it’s that response that He is most interested in,
Because such a response will show whether we are in fact genuine.
And those who are truly genuine, happily carry out God’s will,
That is, they keep His Commandments, for not doing so, just wouldn’t gel.
For after all, how could they not, if they’re truly genuine, true blue,
When God — via His Holy Word — has said that that’s what He wants us to do?
And that is what God showed my Mother, whose deep prayer was answered that day,
Via a divine occurrence — miracle — that clearly pointed the way.
And that revelation is one reason why I’m a follower too
Of the God whose moral Law conveys His love, and shows one what to do.
Yes, I’m so thrilled that God showed my dear mother what she should do that day,
And that He revealed His will in such an amazing, dramatic way.
And I’m also thrilled that I can share this great testimony with you,
Praying with all my heart that you’ve become a Commandment keeper too.
By Lance Landall
“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled [realized] in us, who walk [live] not
after the flesh [selfish desires], but after the Spirit [the indwelling Spirit of Christ;
willing obedience that stems from love]” (Rom 8:4).
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For as the body
apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead
[it is made void, invalid]” (James 2:24,26, ESV).
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer
remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment…” (Heb 10:26,27, ESV).
Here’s the key:
In the context of salvation (Justification – right standing before God), law keeping
is of no avail, but in the context of Christian conduct (Sanctification – right living
before God), God’s law has value and validity.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce
impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are
self-controlled, upright, and Godly” (Titus 2:11,12).
Note: A number of my poems also cover God’s grace,
and are best read in conjunction with this poem.
