Words To Live By » Song Lyrics

He Who Is Worthy At Last

James McAlister — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:23:19 +0000

The unexpected death of Jenny, our firstborn and only daughter, ushered in a period of difficult adjustment for me and my family. And though I certainly believed in heaven, an unusual and instantaneous experience transformed my abstract conceptof heaven into a settled reality.

I clearly recall having been discouraged and thinking about her death when without warning my mind’s eye was opened, and I saw–truly saw that heaven was indescribably real and that all was well with Jenny and would be with me.

This may seem odd and far-fetched, but it is certainly not unique. Of his writing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” in Messiah, George Frederick Handel would say, “I thought I saw all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.”

Out of those moments of enlightenment soon came this poem, a picture of the glories of heaven as described in Revelation 4 and 5:

HE WHO IS WORTHY AT LAST

I was discouraged when cares held my heart;
Troubles rolled in like the sea.
Cries to the Father that they might depart
Inclined His ear to my plea.
When through the Spirit enlightenment came —
A door to heaven for me —
Glorious splendor demanded surrender,
Compelling my heart to its knees.

Throned upon emerald, pavilioned in light,
Covenant rainbow arrayed;
Lightning and thunder acclaiming His might,
Holy, the Ancient of Days!
“Thou who art worthy of honor and pow’r,
Riches and blessing and praise,
For by Thy pleasure in limitless measure
Creation Thy glory displays!”

When none was worthy to open the book —
Sealed from eternity past —
Millions of angels their silence forsook,
Filling the heavens so vast:
“Weep not; behold Him! The Lamb that was slain
Now has the book in his grasp!
The Root of David, for ages awaited,
It’s He who is worthy at last!”

(Refrain)
Blessing and pow’r and glory to the Lamb.
Forever and ever, bowing to the Lamb.
He redeemed us to God
By the cross, the crown, the blood.
Blessing and pow’r and glory to the Lamb.

(Based on Revelation 4 & 5)

Not long afterwards I gave these words to young Zack Stanton, 14 years old at the time, who set them to music. Today Zack, now an accomplished composer and conductor, is on track to receive his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition at the University of Texas at Austin in May 2012. And though he describes his youthful efforts at composition as “green,” I never tire of hearing “He Who Is Worthy At Last” and would love to see it published and used to encourage others.

Zack has given permission for me to post a copy of his original musical score along with a printer-friendly version of the words. As with other items on this web site, usage by individuals and churches is permitted, but other usages require written permission.

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Musical score

Zack Stanton website

They Would Know Him By His Name

James McAlister — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 07:42:00 +0000

A long time ago, further back than anyone can remember, a kind and wise king ruled a happy, contented people. His subjects loved him greatly, and he met their every need. In return, the king asked only that they obey him. And for a while they did.

Then one ordinary day a stranger unexpectedly visited these people. Grand in appearance but sly in purpose, he spoke beautiful, compelling words to encourage them to disobey their king. And he made deceitful promises he could never keep. The people listened carefully–before doing exactly as the stranger asked.

But as soon as they disobeyed the wise king, a surprising change confronted them. No longer free as they once had been, they suddenly found themselves enslaved by a harsh master–the stranger!

With great sadness the wise king unfolded the consequences of their disobedience: pain and suffering would be their constant companions.

Still, he did not leave them without hope. “In the fullness of time I will send a powerful new king to break the stranger’s grip on you. Watch constantly for your deliverer, for you do not what day or hour he will come. Unlike other kings, he will be lowly and meek and will not be clothed in regal garments. But you will come to know him by his name.”

A cruel taskmaster, the stranger continually encouraged the people to do all the evils the wise king had warned them against. As their suffering intensified, so did their longing for the deliverer who would release them from the stranger’s prison.

But the deliverer did not come in their lifetimes… or their children’s… or their grandchildren’s. Centuries slipped away, but from time to time the wise king would send reminders that he had not forgotten. The deliverer would come… one day.

Then on a night much like any other night, the heavens exploded with myriads of angels giving glory to God. The deliverer had indeed been born in a stable not far away, and shepherds raced to find this promised king. But as they had been told, they saw no king they recognized–just a baby in a humble manger.

But the wise king was proven right. They would come to know the promised one by his name–a Majestic Name that would thoroughly break the stranger’s powerful hold on them… and their children… and their grandchildren.

Of this Majestic Name, the Bible (Philippians 2:9-11) says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

And because of the Majestic Name we remember at each Christmas season, hope will always be ours… and our children’s… and our grandchildren’s… forever.

MAJESTIC NAME

When time was full, the world had long been waiting
For God to send the One anticipated.
Of lowly birth, He set aside His glory.
The Son of God fulfilled redemption’s story.

As shepherds watched, the moment unsuspected,
God’s glory shown, and hope was resurrected!
Heavenly choirs poured praise and adorations!
Jesus was born a Savior for the nations!

Though sin had reigned, unchallenged in dominion,
A Babe had come in pow’rful opposition
To rule as King o’er all who would permit Him,
Redeeming souls and making life worth living.

(Refrain)
Majestic Name, above all others towers!
Majestic Name, that’s limitless in power!
At Jesus’ name, all knees will bend in honor
And call Him Lord to glorify the Father.

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He Still Moves Stones

James McAlister — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:56:55 +0000

A stone presented a formidable problem that first resurrection morning. Massive and threatening, it blocked the entrance to Jesus’ tomb for the women needing to anoint His body. “Who will move it for us?” they puzzled–but found no answer.

When they arrived at the garden, however, astonishment gripped their hearts. The stone had already been set aside, allowing them to enter the tomb. But the dead Jesus they expected to find was not there! Risen, an angel told them, just as He had said.

That great stone of worry, the deepest of concerns in the early morning hours, had been rolled away for their benefit, not His. And on the inside of the empty tomb they discovered not the worst of their expectations, but the best. Though Jesus had promised to rise from the dead, they hadn’t believed… until the stone was moved. Then gripped by both fear and joy, they raced to tell others.

This was not the first stone to conceal a great work of God from those who desperately needed deliverance and relief. It had happened before at the tomb of Lazarus. Because of that stone, the family couldn’t see in, nor did they want to. After four days of death, putrefaction and stench on the other side of the stone surely awaited them. Or so they thought.

But Jesus had promised, “Your brother will live again.” Still, they hadn’t believed… until He moved the stone. Then Lazarus, dead just moments before, walked out of his dark tomb into a bright new life.

The glimpse of resurrection and life eternal foreshadowed with Lazarus was secured when Jesus Himself passed from death into life; not even an immovable stone could hold Him there.

Stones persist today and gain their power in the same way as they did in the time of Jesus: our reluctance and refusal to believe what He has said. For me, ominous stones of fear, confusion, doubt, bitterness and a host of their companions have repeatedly entombed my future and outlook in darkness and blinding hopelessness.

But He still moves stones, and for every one that has gained ascendency there’s a life-giving promise begging me for belief and obedience. Am I anxious? He promises peace that passes understanding. (Phil. 4:6-7). Am I confused? He promises wisdom. (James 1:5).

The empty tomb of Jesus on that first resurrection morning paints this picture of truth: a stone is powerless in the face of promise. And on the other side of the stone we will discover not the worst of expectations, but the best. He lives, and so shall we–for time and eternity.

HE STILL MOVES STONES

Both Death and Darkness ruled the day
Around the tomb where Laz’rus lay.
Cried Jesus in authority,
“Remove the stone and set him free!”

Have stony trials progressively
Extinguished hopes of victory?
Embrace His word triumphantly:
He’ll move those stones and set you free.

Have stones of fear, confusion, doubt
Destroyed your faith and burned you out?
Then look to Him expectantly:
He’ll move those stones and set you free.

Are your dreams blocked or gone astray
By stones of hindrance in the way?
His Spirit will bring clarity:
He’ll move those stones and set you free.

(Refrain)
He still moves stones, so give Him glory!
He still moves stones to change your story!
What e’er your trial or loss or need
If there’s a stone, He wants you freed.

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Bulletin Insert

His Hands

James McAlister — Sun, 02 Jan 2000 02:02:00 +0000

Ever Lord, I see your hands of mercy
Reaching down in times of toil and strain,
Bringing strength, providing consolation,
Calming fears and comforting my pain.

Even when the days seem dark and dreary
And the nights so deep and full of fear,
To your own, your hands bring rest and comfort,
Touching hearts and drying every tear.

Anxious thoughts will sometimes rise and flood me,
But your Word—my lifeline ever sure—
Whispers low, "Let not your heart be troubled,"
And your hands then hold my soul secure.

(Refrain)
Like a child, I find myself defenseless,
Compassed 'bout by giants threat'ning harm.
But His hands—His hands that guard my future—
Lift me up to His protecting arms.

(Sing to the tune of "Day By Day")

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Before The Throne

James McAlister — Mon, 01 Nov 1999 23:38:00 +0000

On March 22, 1997, Barrett and I took a spur-of-the-moment hiking trip to Pedestal Rocks with John Sherman Gilliom and Luke and Zack Stanton. We had a bit of time there to rest and meditate on the Scripture, and I pondered the seeming impossibility of bringing up godly, pure children in an evil world.

During that time I was reminded that we are not alone in this task. There are two–Jesus and the Holy Spirit–who are constantly at work on our behalf in Heaven.

The following day I expanded those initial thoughts a bit in my journal:

"To fall short of the mark that God has picked out is really the only tragedy of life. Like it or not, parents have been given the mantle of responsibility that such doesn't befall one under their care.

"Yet the world, the flesh, and the devil never tire in the relentless pursuit of their prey. These "hounds of hell" are ever seeking to kill and steal and destroy God's best. They are never drawn off track by the lukewarm or the mediocre.

"To some–and even I fall into such thinking at times–the situation appears hopeless. But we must never forget that there are two in heaven who are on our side. These two never slumber, never sleep, never fail.

"If anyone sins, there is an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One (1 John 2:1). He ever lives to make intercession (Hebrews 7:25) for us. By Him we should offer continually the sacrifice of the praise of our lips (and our lives, by the way), giving thanks in His name (Hebrews 13:15).

"And He's not alone. The Holy Spirit intercedes even when we don't know how to pray (Romans 8:26). In some way unknown to us, our heavenly Father, who does all things well, understands the Spirit's groanings on our behalf.

"I pray that God might open the eyes of my heart to understand the provision that He's made by putting these two before God's throne to work on my behalf."

BEFORE THE THRONE

In every troubled blast, two anchors hold us fast
Before the throne.
They never let us slip in worry's tossing ship;
With hearts in heaven's grip, we're not alone.
For if we fall in sin, there's One who enters in
Before the throne.
He is our Advocate, our weakness ne'er forgets,
Who now in glory sits, the Righteous One.

Another intercedes, our cause He ever pleads
Before the throne.
And when we cannot pray, His groanings night and day
Translate our heart's dismay to God alone.
Midst splendid majesty, one day we'll bow the knee
Before the throne.
Our crowns will then be His, we'll worship Him who is,
Who was, and ever lives, for what He's done.

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Again Forever Free

James McAlister — Fri, 01 Oct 1999 22:37:00 +0000

As I began writing this, I was anxiously waiting for our son Barrett to come home. We had some sad news for him.

A little more than an hour before, we had found his cat, Peach, on the driveway. He had been hit by a car and would die within minutes. He had tried to run to the safety of the home he loved but couldn’t make it. So there he fell.

Peach had been Barrett’s faithful companion all through his teen years and would easily abandon both Mary and me to sit in Barrett’s lap. He was surely the most gentle of animals, but death comes without respect to the gentle as well as the cruel.

Peach was obviously in pain and would sometimes cry out. We prayed that his suffering would be brief.

It was. His life ebbed quickly, and his distress lessened bit by bit. And at some indistinguishable moment, life had unwilling been overtaken once again by death. What a mysterious process death is, one that we will not understand this side of heaven.

But we do know that because of Adam’s sin, all will eventually die (Romans 5:12). Because of Adam’s sin, creation itself was unwillingly put in the bondage of futility and corruption (Romans 8:20). Even God’s creatures cannot escape the curse that came from man’s failure.

The death of this simple creature is another reminder that in this age, death rules unchallenged. But it won’t always be that way. Creation groans, as do we, waiting for that glorious day of release, that day when the power of the curse will be broken for all time (Romans 8:21).

In the last moments of Peach’s life, he left us with a remembrance of our commitments to him in his time of suffering. He had tried to raise his head but couldn’t, so Mary held it up for him. It was then that she noticed his purring, She continued holding his head, stroking his ears, and speaking kindly to him until the purring stopped. And thus he departed, saying in his own way, “We’ve done our best for each other while we could; now it’s time to go.”

We have many fond memories of his short time with us and a renewed hope that there is One yet to come who has Himself thoroughly conquered death (Romans 8:22-23, Revelation 1:18). And we anxiously long for that day when we — and all of creation with us — will finally be set free.

AGAIN FOREVER FREE

There was a day now cast in shame
When Adam’s sin forged heavy chains
That bound creation bright and free
In deep and dark captivity.

Today creation groans in pain
As death unchallenged harshly reigns
To make us slaves unwillingly
And hold us in futility.

Now, “Abba, Father” is the cry
Of all who look unto the sky
For One to set creation free
With sons of God in liberty.

Redemption comes with measured pace,
For He who flung the worlds in space
Then marked upon the dial of time
A moment certain and sublime.

(Refrain)
Our Conqueror with sword of hope
Will slash asunder Satan’s ropes
So man and beast and land and sea
Will be again — forever — free.

(Based on Romans 8:15-25)

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There Are Crowns

James McAlister — Sat, 02 Jan 1999 02:02:00 +0000

Blessed are all for persevering
Fiery trials of toilsome pain.
Crowns of life to them are given
When approved in Jesus' name.
There's a fight, a course to finish,
Faith to keep until He comes.
Crowns of righteousness are waiting
With the Lord, the righteous Judge.

Labor not for crowns that perish,
Made of stubble, wood and hay;
Precious stones and gold and silver
Stand the fire of judgment day.
Run your race as if to win it,
Self-controlled in every way.
Though the laurel wreath will wither,
Crowns of glory never fade.

'Twas by grace that Jesus suffered,
Tasting death for everyone,
Crowned with glory and with honor
As the first of more to come.
There are crowns for winning others,
Souls secured and heaven bound,
Crowns of joy and exultation
In His presence will be found.

(Refrain)
Worship Him who lives forever,
Casting crowns before His throne!
Nothing sadder in that moment:
Crowns we lost, but could have won.

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Majestic Name

James McAlister — Sat, 02 Jan 1999 02:02:00 +0000

When time was full, the world had long been waiting
For God to send the One anticipated.
Of lowly birth, He set aside His glory.
The Son of God fulfilled redemption's story.

As shepherds watched, the moment unsuspected,
God's glory shown, and hope was resurrected!
Heavenly choirs poured praise and adorations!
Jesus was born a Savior for the nations!

Though sin had reigned, unchallenged in dominion,
A Babe had come in pow'rful opposition
To rule as King o'er all who would permit Him,
Redeeming souls and making life worth living.

(Refrain)
Majestic Name, above all others towers!
Majestic Name, that's limitless in power!
At Jesus' name, all knees will bend in honor
And call Him Lord to glorify the Father.

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I Told Him My Longing

James McAlister — Sat, 02 Jan 1999 02:02:00 +0000

I told Him my longing for pleasant green pastures,
For stillness of waters restoring my soul.
He said, "I had rather you learn how the Shepherd
Can lead you through turmoil and maintain control."

I told Him my longing for freedom from trouble,
For days full of sunshine and nights without storm.
He said, "I had rather you taste of affliction
And learn how I comfort the weary and worn."

I told Him my longing for heavenly treasures,
All gained without conflict and struggle and strife.
He said, "I had rather you learn of endurance
And win crowns of glory and honor and life."

I told Him my longing for family and friendships,
For those who would lift me whenever I'm low.
He said, "I had rather you learn to be lonely,
Discovering Friendship that few ever know."

(Refrain)
Though my thoughts aren't His thoughts,
And His thoughts aren't mine,
Delighting in Him will produce the sublime:
By changing my thoughts both in whole and in part,
He's able to give me–
Abundantly give me–
He's able to give the desires of my heart.

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It Is Finished

James McAlister — Fri, 02 Jan 1998 02:02:00 +0000

The world will soon be changed, creation rearranged,
When all is new the old will pass away.
No tears will be in eyes, nor mourning, pain or cries,
With Death forever banished, what a day!

"Behold I quickly come," and as life's deeds were done,
He'll give rewards to each accordingly.
The curse at last repealed, the tree of life will yield
The nations' healing balm eternally.

For now the bride of Christ in Sprit-given life
Awaits that day and beckons all to "Come."
To all who overcome, who've run the race and won,
"I'll be his God and he will be my son."

And once we see His face, His name upon us traced,
We'll reign with Him forevers without end.
The Bright and Morning Star
Beams hope both near and far:
"The grace of Jesus be with all. Amen."

(Refrain)
"I am Alpha and Omega! It is finished!
The Beginning and the End! It is done!
I'm the Last as well as First
And will give to all who thirst
Living water from the flowing spring of life."

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