[171]. A Message From A Poem – Living In A Country Town

[171]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN

This poem is a little idealistic but it was written with the aim of a possible country gospel song. It is not my personal experience, though I have lived in isolated areas including in the semi-desert outback for many years. I can well appreciate all the sentiments in this poem and they have been my testimony as well.

Many Christians are in isolation from fellow Christians and know the loneliness of that existence. What a couple of stanzas do is emphasise that the Lord is all the support needed in those situations (stanzas 4 and 5) when we have no one else. Very true is the Lord’s promise – {{Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?”}}

The first and last stanzas speak of creation. The mighty Creator of all things created a delightful world but the ugliness in it is of man’s doing. The beauty of the landscape in semi-desert regions is delightful when you go looking for it. I think David saw that too, but he was looking upwards – {{Psalm 8:3-4 “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained, What is man, that You take thought of him, and the son of man, THAT YOU CARE FOR HIM?”}}

{{Psalm 19:1-2 “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”}}

For any of you who can relate to this poem, you will appreciate the background behind it. Fellow Christians are scattered far and wide across this earth. What about those very isolated believers in Islamic countries or in very remote areas of China and Africa? Our thoughts go out to them.

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LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN

I’m in a little country town, away from any city.

The hills and plains are wonderful; the landscape all so pretty.

Creation’s touches are so marked - I see them here all clearly.

And every day I look at it, I love my God more dearly.

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By living here I’m saddened though, about a certain matter -

There’s not another Christian here, to share some godly chatter

And all the folk don’t want to know, about salvation’s story;

About the Lord and all His work; about His risen glory.

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They live for now without regard, of judgment day forthcoming,

And disregard what they are told, about the dear Lord’s coming.

Through many aspects of their lives, I feel I am rejected -

The sinful things they want to do, cause me to be dejected.

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But I impress on you right now, the Lord is my assurance.

When life is sad and difficult, he gives me kind endurance.

I know I’m loved with His support - His joy maintained through sorrow.

From that I gain the hope to live, and strength to face tomorrow.

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The Lord upholds me with His hand; His true presence, my delight.

In times of hardship and life’s clouds, His word shines heavenly light.

A refuge to my soul is God, my comfort and my power.

In every kind of need He is, my Brother and my tower.

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I’m in that little country town, but truly not forsaken.

The hills and plains are wonderful; God’s glory they awaken.

Creations touches are so marked - help me sustain my progress.

For every day He walks with me, encouraging my success.

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31 August 2005 Ron Ferguson 8-7 throughout Metre = 15 throughout