“A Ten” ( Daniel 1; Psalm 121; Jeremiah 29:4; Lamentations 3:19-33; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 6:10-19) [Don Oddie sermon set – notes FBC] 

I went to church this morning time,
The service was a “10” – sublime!
Don Oddie preached the pinch-hit word –
With reworked thought from son he’d heard.

Like, Daniel one (from culture view) –
The clash that’s common, nothing new –
The exiles told to settle in,
As seven decades would begin –

For them to live in Babylon;
The Prophet said, “Folks, get along
With captors, make their cities thrive
So all can live, not just survive.”

Their captors gave three years for them
To prove themselves, then would begin
The civil service tests to see
If they’d be hired – if they could be –

A benefit to one and all;
Three heroes said, “Sure thing” – but tall
They rode – said, “Not your culture’s way –
We’d all get sick by end of day –

“So in ten days come back and test –
You’ll see we’re better than the rest” –
They did; they won – so they could live
The Hebrew style ’till King could give –

The final test in three years time;
Three years – they won again, were fine –
So they got hired to help the King,
And to their captors, good-life bring.

That part I knew, but Don went on
And said, that Lamentations song
Says more to us from folks back home –
He read from Jeremiah’s tome –

“New every morning, blessings flow
From God – so look around – you’ll know
God does not sleep – He works at night
So blessing’s there at dawning light.”

For Jews start day at dusk – we sleep –
God works His will – for us it’s sweet –
A great reminder it’s His world,
As we, on pinwheel’s pin don’t swirl.

By day, it’s conscious choice to live
On Kingdom-layer, where Jesus is
Enthroned; and is Field-Marshall type,
Defeating evil, which holds tight –

It’s captives – there invites us in
To be His body – thus begin
To help him in His final task –
Warfare indeed – and what a blast –

For people aren’t the enemy,
But evil-one, who tries to be
Alternative to God – persuades
Us silly folks, with him to wade –

Into the muck ’till we’re bogged down;
Christ rescues, sets on solid ground
Of Kingdom-layer to catch our breath,
Where we can stay beyond our death –

Or not – we’re free to wander off,
(And at his better way then scoff);
Some day when all is wrapped up fine,
The choice will end, like end of time.

So many times Christ pulls us out;
We wander off, no clue about
A better choice to make in life –
Such waste that is in needless strife.

Lord, thanks for opening up these texts,
And showing us what could come next
As we respond to Your great love,
Amidst this swirl of push and shove.

As now I lay me down to sleep,
Assured, like Psalmist, watch You’ll keep;
But even more, You’ll work full tilt
Around the world, like crazy quilt –

Through other folks who now awake,
Refreshed, and now these burdens take
Of “This and that” which You request,
To give You room to do Your best.

Lord, when we soon awake at dawn,
Help us to see what You’ve worked on,
As we, “Discern Your body-folks”
Around the globe lay down their yolks –

In trust that we’ll pick up their tasks,
Like tag-team wrestlers – tapped at last
(Or “Changing of the guard” for Britts) –
Thanks for revealing all of this!

Thanks Lord for this.

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