Poetry by Rudy Wiegand
"Meditations on Habakkuk 3"
Look ye people; be commanded-
Wonder at what prophets see:
Earth and time will soon be ended,
Gaze upon eternity!
God - Creator! Judge - Sustainer;
Looks upon, with blazing eye-
His own chosen, well-loved creatures,
Some must live, and some must die!
Known before the world's foundation,
So enriched with WORD Divine.
Blood bought heirs of Christ's salvation
Red Sea-baptized; desert fire refined.
Then from Edom, terror shining,
Thunder roars and nature flees
Mountains run like rams stampeding
God Himself descends and speaks!
Fiery law, all proud flesh humbles
Saints bow low, ten thousands strong
Holiest man, exceeding trembles;
All the earth resounds with song!
Sinai's magnificent glory,
At its best, a shadow mere -
See aghast, prophetic story
God again shall re-appear!
Not this time a kind law-giver,
No school master, shepherd, friend -
But in wrath, to judge forever
Vengeance falls, the world to end!
Nations driven all asunder,
Horns proceeding from His hand.
Threshing heathen in His anger -
Oceans lifting up their hands.
Rebels yet will not surrender;
What they've sown, must finally reap -
Winepress trod in holy fervor,
Blood as horses' bridles deep.
Sun and moon, ashamed pay homage
Purer light, their awe require.
Saints assume their habitation
On mingled sea of glass and fire.
God again shall come from Teman
From Paran shall glory rise.
Blood-stained garments red as crimson,
Day of vengeance in His eyes!
Trembling seizes thus upon me
Rotten bones and breaking chest.
That I, meek, entreat His mercy,
In the day of trouble rest.
For salvation of His people,
For the year of His redeemed,
I will welcome judgments fearful
Leap on high with feet of hind!
For in wrath Thou wilt remember
Mercy in the midst of years;
Faithfulness, unfailing, ever,
Praise triumphant, e'en through tears!
Look ye people; be commanded-
Wonder at what prophets see:
Earth and time will soon be ended,
Gaze upon eternity!
God - Creator! Judge - Sustainer;
Looks upon, with blazing eye-
His own chosen, well-loved creatures,
Some must live, and some must die!
Known before the world's foundation,
So enriched with WORD Divine.
Blood bought heirs of Christ's salvation
Red Sea-baptized; desert fire refined.
Then from Edom, terror shining,
Thunder roars and nature flees
Mountains run like rams stampeding
God Himself descends and speaks!
Fiery law, all proud flesh humbles
Saints bow low, ten thousands strong
Holiest man, exceeding trembles;
All the earth resounds with song!
Sinai's magnificent glory,
At its best, a shadow mere -
See aghast, prophetic story
God again shall re-appear!
Not this time a kind law-giver,
No school master, shepherd, friend -
But in wrath, to judge forever
Vengeance falls, the world to end!
Nations driven all asunder,
Horns proceeding from His hand.
Threshing heathen in His anger -
Oceans lifting up their hands.
Rebels yet will not surrender;
What they've sown, must finally reap -
Winepress trod in holy fervor,
Blood as horses' bridles deep.
Sun and moon, ashamed pay homage
Purer light, their awe require.
Saints assume their habitation
On mingled sea of glass and fire.
God again shall come from Teman
From Paran shall glory rise.
Blood-stained garments red as crimson,
Day of vengeance in His eyes!
Trembling seizes thus upon me
Rotten bones and breaking chest.
That I, meek, entreat His mercy,
In the day of trouble rest.
For salvation of His people,
For the year of His redeemed,
I will welcome judgments fearful
Leap on high with feet of hind!
For in wrath Thou wilt remember
Mercy in the midst of years;
Faithfulness, unfailing, ever,
Praise triumphant, e'en through tears!
