The Invitation/ Sanctified/ Six-Fold Ministry

Why Should I Offer My Praises to Him?

Poem January 23, 2016

Why should I offer my praises to Him though silent and inward they be?
Why should my murmuring lips give praise for the truth which I now see?
Why dare I record these lowly praises with pen,
or speak of His glories out loud with strong men?

‘Cause I was born a thief, baptized by the night.
I mocked the meek and threw rocks at the light.
Soured by self love, and gutted by the world’s hate.
Fleshly friends in the gutter left me abandoned to fate.

And those lying spirits cruel raped me,
those companions they call drug and drink.
Then they pirated my soul, cast me adrift,
beaten, stoned naked to sink.

And still He called me—– He called me,
From a distance at first.
He beckoned to me at my unholy worst.
Then he plucked me out of Old Scratch’s cold clutch,
And healed me with salvation’s warm touch.

Why should I offer my praises to him, with my hands and heart lifted high?
Why should these hands of clay clap for him, ’til his Holy Spirit draw nigh?
Why should I let stand salty tears on my cheek
that praise God in ways that mortals can’t speak?

‘Cause when I was foul, without decency’s spark
I fought and wrestled with Him in the dark.
And my pride hurt the brethren ‘cuz of all the baggage I had
and as a bully I made Him often weep sad.

Or as Solomon I knew not how to go out or come in
and at times it seemed I might never beat sin.

And still He came to me——- He came to me,
He always reached down to lift me up.
He carried my burden and let me drink from his cup,
And he whispered His secrets that only a saved mortal may hear,
And molded me… and freed me… and healed me of fear.

Why should I offer raucous praises to him
through song and dances of wondrous new life?
Why should I sing with my whole spirit and soul,
as if I were to be Christ’s beautiful wife?
Why should I offer my thanks so loud and so clear,
to Him who has planted God in my heart ever near?

‘Cause He promised me forever a future in him.
Promised the light in my heart would not dim.
He prepared my life’s work
from the foundation of earth.
And spawned a miracle in me,
an unworthy soul has found worth.
And though I don’t deserve even a glance from an eye
He has promised He’ll meet me on that day in the sky,

——- ——— —And still He invited me—- He invited me.
Because without bound he has always loved me
He died in my place when He hung on that tree,
And in paradise He has promised to make me His gem,

So now will I never question again
Why should I offer my praises to Him!