"As Water to the Thirsty"
vastness of God's love. Today's WORSHIP QUOTE OF THE WEEK is a hymn text by Timothy Dudley-Smith, a retired Bishop in the Church of England. Here we encounter some "fresh" descriptions of God's relationship with his people. AS WATER TO THE THIRSTY As water to the thirsty, as beauty to the eyes, as strength that follows weakness, as truth instead of lies; as songtime and springtime and summertime to be, so is my Lord, my living Lord, so is my Lord to me. Like calm in place of clamour, like peace that follows pain, like meeting after parting, like sunshine after rain; like moonlight and starlight and sunlight on the sea, so is my Lord, my living Lord, so is my Lord to me. As sleep that follows fever, as gold instead of gray, as freedom after bondage, as sunrise to the day; as home to the traveler and all we long to see, so is my Lord, my living Lord, so is my Lord to me. -Timothy Dudley-Smith, from *Lift Every Heart: Collected Hymns 1961-1983 and some early poems,* Hope Publishing Co., 1984 © 1984 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. For permission to copy or use this hymn, please contact: Hope Publishing Company, 380 S. Main Place, Carol Stream, IL 60188 1-800-323-1049 Fax: (630) 665-3200 Email: permission@hopepublishing.com www.hopepublishing.com [Timothy Dudley-Smith admits that this hymns owes something of its origin to the power of Simon and Garfunkel's classic phrase "Like a bridge over troubled water." In the life of faith, what are the similes that best depict the many facets of Christ's love and care for his people? Here's a little Tuesday morning Bible study for you. The poet provides the following scripture passages to support the images of the Lord that are used in "As Water to the Thirsty."] STANZA ONE Psalm 63:1, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 28:7, 1 Thess. 1:9, Exodus. 15:2, Song of Solomon, chapter 2. STANZA TWO 1 Kings 19:11-12, Hebrews 13:20, John 20:11-18, Rev. 1:16, Psalm 104:2. STANZA THREE Psalm 4:8, Matthew 17:2, Psalm 146:7, Malachi 4:2, Luke 16:11-24. Have a great week, Chip Stam |