Where The Music Of Poetry Exalts The Son

Volume 1 Issue 1 April 2004

Richard rushed into the house blooming with excitement.

“Guess what I have?” he began.

I hoped it was not a snake or hamster.

“A rabbit?” I ventured.

“No.”

“Fish?” I queried.

His smile told me I was close to the answer.

Richard’s class Science project involved caring for a pet. He and his friends had chosen turtles. When he showed me the pets, I gasped. They were so small! These miniature turtles, according to Richard, were full grown. Carefully he placed them in a clear tank with a plastic palm tree. Then, he poured in some water and sprinkled in some food. Immediately they began to swim and nibble at the food. About five minutes later, the turtles were scurrying across the floor. They had escaped before our eyes! Richard placed them in a deeper home but they escaped from that too. In fact, they startled my friend one day and she alerted me to their escapade. Richard and his uncle decided to foil the plan for all future escapes. They landscaped a perfect environment in a box. It had a lake, a recreational area, a sand dune, a diving pool...the works! Surely the turtles would want to stay in this paradise!

Not long after they were placed in their new home, they demonstrated their acrobatic skills while we were watching them. Although the area was redesigned, the next morning they could not be found anywhere. Food was placed nearby their home in the hope that the scent would entice them to return for a mealtime. After several weeks of absence, we knew that we loved them and wanted them to come back home. How is this story of the two turtles who escaped relevant to the love of God.

A Perfect Plan

“God has for us a plan;

God has for us His will…”

When God created Adam and Eve, He had more than a Science project in mind. Adam and Eve were a part of the Perfect Plan. Paradise– the Garden of Eden– was their home forever if… they adhered to the principles of love. The incubator for love is truth, trust and time. Did God tell them the truth? Yes. Could He be trusted? Yes. Did He spend time with His creation? Yes. Besides providence, they had His presence. Love abides. Yet, choice is integral: reject or accept love.

Love Alone

Lamb of God,

Priceless Pearl,

You were foreordained…

slain before the foundation

of the world.

Jesus, You had a plan

for Your creation-

man.

When Adam and Eve sinned,

You made a promise

of grace.

Through it You

would purchase

Redemption

for the fallen

diseased race.

What manner of love

sent Jesus from above!

The spotless Son of God

left His throne.

His blood was spilled-

Blood, pure and free-

for the remission of sin.

Kinsman– Redeemer,

He purchased liberty.

Now He has His throne within

those who trust

His love alone.

Pure Love

Although the plan of God was perfect, Adam and Eve broke the perfect law of love. Sin. Their action demanded a swift penalty: death (Romans 6:23). This death demanded pure blood from the Holy One who is perfect and willing to provide pure love.

Pure Love Alone

Kinsman– Redeemer,

Jesus left His throne

To sojourn on earth.

It was pure love alone.

A thorny crown pierced

His sacred head

As Jesus fulfilled

What in Eden God said.

Jesus was wounded;

Lamb foreordained

Before the foundation

Of the world had been laid.

Infinite love poured

At Calvary.

Jesus gave His pure love

To set all sinners free.

A Promise

In Eden, God gave a surety—His Word. The promises in Genesis 3:16 is settled forever in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). Jesus, the Kinsman– Redeemer, Saviour, Messiah, Counsellor, Mighty God, Emmanuel was bound by a promise He had to keep.

Bound By A Promise

Held captive in the Garden by sin,

A battle raged that mortal man could not win.

From out of the darkness

A flag was unfurled

By the Kinsman– Redeemer,

The Light of the World.

Spotless Lamb of God

Plunged in sorrow so deep,

He was bound by a promise

That He had to keep.

His love spilled free

From that old rugged tree.

He paid a debt no other could pay;

But He purchased redemption

When He died that day.