Jonah

Jonah


Where ya goin' and why so fast?
You don't want your problems you don't want your past
And you're so worried about the rain
You think by leaving that you can dodge the pain, Jonah

And where on earth do you expect to go
Where you won't find a single foe?
You're flat out choosing to ignore what's good
Focused solely on how it could be

But what could be is not what should be
And what should be is hard to see when you're on the run

You can run but you can't hide
You can try to evade the tide
But the waves of life will hunt you down
And I know that you're afraid but don't run away
Listen when I say that you should stay, Jonah

If you leave now what do you hope to find?
Don't you know that all your problems won't be far behind?
And whether here or out there we're all bound to fail
But better here than in the belly of a whale

And you cry and downcast your eyes and
You refuse to see that right here with me
Is right where you should be

You can run but you can't hide
You can try to evade the tide
But the waves of life will hunt you down
And I know that you're afraid but don't run away
Listen when I say that you should stay
And it's OK, Jonah

Don't you know that everywhere you go
Your shadow will follow
And every step you take you know your heart could break
But life's a risk a risk you should be willing to take

If you take the time to zoom out
Beyond your shadow of a doubt
You'll see that there's nowhere to run

And it's a shame to think that you won't be here
When the storm is over and the skies are clear
So please just stay right here with me

You can run but you can't hide
You can try to evade the tide
But the waves of life will hunt you down
And I know that you're afraid but don't run away
Listen when I say that you should stay
And it's OK, Jonah

Dear Sinner, Rejoice

1.  Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
            With exultation springing,
           And, with united heart and voice,
           And holy rapture singing,
           Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
           How His right arm the victory won;
           Right dearly it hath cost him.

       2.  Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay.
           Death brooded darkly o'er me.
           Sin was my torment night and day.
           In sin my mother bore me.
           Yea, deep and deeper still I fell.
           Life had become a living hell,
           So firmly sin possessed me.

       3.  My own good works availed me naught,
           No merit they attaining.
           Free will against God's judgment fought,
           Dead to all good remaining.
           My fears increased till sheer despair
           Left naught but death to be my share.
           The pains of hell I suffered.


       4.  But God beheld my wretched state
           Before the world's foundation.
           And, mindful of His mercies great,
           He planned my soul's salvation.
           A father's heart He turned to me,
           Sought my redemption fervently.
           He gave His dearest Treasure.

       5.  He spoke to His beloved Son:
           'Tis time to have compassion.
           Then go, bright Jewel of My crown,
           And bring to man salvation;
           From sin and sorrow set him free.
           Slay bitter death for him that he
           May live with Thee forever.

       6.  This Son obeyed His Father's will,
           Was born of virgin mother.
           And God's good pleasure to fulfil,
           He came to be my Brother.
           No garb of pomp or power He wore,
           A servant's form, like mine, He bore,
           To lead the devil captive.

       7.  To me He spake: Hold fast to Me,
           I am thy Rock and Castle;
           Thy ransom I Myself will be,
           For thee I strive and wrestle;
           For I am with thee, I am thine,
           And evermore thou shalt be mine.
           The foe shall not divide us.

       8.  The foe shall shed my precious blood,
           Me of My life bereaving.
           All this I suffer for thy good
           Be steadfast and believing.
           Life shall from death the victory win.
           My innocence shall bear thy sin;
           So art thou blest forever.

       9.  Now to My Father I depart,
           The Holy Spirit sending
           And heavenly wisdom to impart
           My help to thee extending.
           He shall in trouble comfort thee,
           Teach thee to know and follow Me,
           And in all truth shall guide thee. 

What I have done and taught, teach thou,
My ways forsake thou never;
So shall My kingdom flourish now
And God be praised forever.
Take heed lest men with base alloy
The heavenly treasure should destroy;

This counsel I bequeath thee.