1 Kings 4:20-29: Wise Prosperity

Author: 
Alan Marsden
Date: 
Sunday, 31 January, 2021 - 10:45

1 I'll praise my Maker while I've breath;
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my nobler powers.
My days of praise shall ne'er be past
while life and thought and being last,
or immortality endures.

2 How happy they whose hopes rely
on Israel's God, who made the sky
and earth and seas with all their train;
whose truth forever stands secure,
who saves the oppressed and feeds the poor,
and none shall find God's promise vain.

3 The Lord pours eyesight on the blind;
the Lord supports the fainting mind
and sends the laboring conscience peace.
God helps the stranger in distress,
the widowed and the parentless,
and grants the prisoner sweet release.

4 I'll praise my Maker while I've breath;
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my nobler powers.
My days of praise shall ne'er be past 
while life and thought and being last,
or immortality endures.

Isaac Watts

1 Make me a captive, Lord,
And then I shall be free.
Force me to render up my sword
And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life's alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within thine arms,
And strong shall be my hand.

2 My heart is weak and poor
Until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure,
It varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
Till thou hast wrought its chain;
Enslave it with thy matchless love,
And deathless it shall reign.

3 My pow'r is faint and low
Till I have learned to serve;
It lacks the needed fire to glow,
It lacks the breeze to nerve.
It cannot drive the world
Until itself be driv'n;
Its flag can only be unfurled
When thou shalt breathe from heav'n.

4 My will is not my own 
Till thou hast made it thine; 
If it would reach a monarch's throne,
It must its crown resign. 
It only stands unbent 
Amid the clashing strife 
When on thy bosom it has leant,
And found in thee its life.

George Matheson

Holy Spirit, living breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Let the presence of the risen Lord,
Come renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see,
Give me passion for Your purity;
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Holy Spirit, come abide within,
May Your joy be seen in all I do.
Love enough to cover every sin,
In each thought and deed and attitude.
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my strivings into works of grace;
Breath of God show Christ in all I do.

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show Your power once again on earth,
Cause Your church to hunger for your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise;
Lead us on the road of sacrifice,
That in unity the face of Christ
May be clear for all the world to see.

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family)

1 I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; 
I'd rather be His than have riches untold; 
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. 
I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand 

Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain 
Or be held in sin's dread sway. 
I'd rather have Jesus than anything 
This world affords today.

2 I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; 
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. 
I'd rather be true to His holy name [Chorus]

3 He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; 
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb; 
He's all that my hungering spirit needs. 
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead [Chorus]

Rhea Miller