THE KINGDOM OF GOD

C. Middleton

Can righteousness and peace and joy be found

In this poor world where sin and death abound?

How many as their years of life go by,

Ignore the fact, God’s kingdom has come nigh.

 

Behold the crowds going heedless on their way,

No thought of God or what He has to say;

And yet amidst them some who have received

Glad tidings of the kingdom and believed.

 

What wondrous favour when with opened eye

We see the blessings God has brought so nigh.

Into His kingdom we can entrance, make,

A kingdom that no evil power can shake.

 

Upon the throne is Jesus seated now,

The One to whom soon every knee shall bow.

And here on earth, by owning Jesus’ sway,

We taste the blessings of the coming day.

 

Here grace abounds and righteousness is known,

Since for their sins the Saviour did atone;

And guilty sinners now are justified

Because their debt was paid when Jesus died.

 

So in the kingdom they can rightly be

As owning Jesus, that their Lord is He.

The will subdued, what blessing to the soul

Is known when Jesus has complete control.

Here peace is proved, which is not known elsewhere,

The peace that comes from being in His care.

No power of evil have we now to fear,

The power of God, it keeps us safely here.

 

Here, too, the Spirit does great joy afford

And saints are found rejoicing in the Lord.

This spring of joy thus placed within our hearts

Divinely given joy to us imparts.

 

It may be tribulation is our part,

Yet nought can touch the joy that’s in the heart.

The blessings of the kingdom nought can move

For those who know and prove that God is love.

January, 1977