Man, like the grass
Into the woods and o’er the hills
The path rolls on and ever still
Flanked thus by shrubs and gentle flow’rs
I walked and walked and walked for hours.
I recalled the Book says man, like grass
Is here today, but will not last
Beyond three score years and ten
Before man is one with grass again.
So walking on the wide, green earth
Considering man’s little worth
I asked the Maker, God of all
To show mercy on those who from the Fall
Lost immortality, and life eternal
When the first gardeners, paternal
Adam and maternal Eve
Sinned in sin, and brought in grief.
So through these woods and o’er these hills
We dwell in petty, temporal thrills
For threescore years and but ten more
Knocking relentless on Eden’s door.
What hope have we who dwell in time?
What hope is there then that is mine?
Until Redemption comes to make things new
And promises made are promises true.
Could it be that God has made
Hope for the disconsolate and afraid?
In the life of His only Son
He hides the death of Many in One.
Yes, on a cross of wood, and upon a hill
The limpless body of a dead man, still,
Flanked by thieves and wicked men of wrong
Was where the Righteous One did not belong.
But because they took Him out of the camp
And hung Him on a molding plank
God ushers us into courts of gold
And seats us there with the Kings of old.
You see, sustained by vinegar, wretched taste
He drained wrath’s cup for now and always
Pierced by a spear, and scourged to shreds
The Prince of life joined with the dead.
Because the sinless Savior died
God’s peace treaty was ratified
His wounds - God signs His name in blood
His tears - God pours forth Mercy’s flood.
So now when I pass through wood and hill
And remember that this life is still
A short, frail threescore years and ten
I see the Cross, and remember my friend
Whose blood bought life beyond this life
Whose agony freed me from strife
In Christ I have a hope so pure
It sustains me from year to year.
And so I walk from year to year
And facing all my fears and tears
In life, threescore years and ten
With my life in Christ, and my hope in heav’n.
#writing #hope #poetry
