The Strength of My Life

The Lord is my light
and I will walk with confidence.
He is my salvation,
from every foe, my sure defence.

The strength of my life!
The strength of my life!
The strength of my life!
Of whom shall I be afraid?

The Lord is my light
and He commands the victory.
Though a host assail me, 
at His rebuke, they turn and flee.

The strength of my life!
The strength of my life!
The strength of my life!
Of whom shall I be afraid?

The Lord is my light
and I will praise His holy name.
Enter His pavilion
and there His mighty deeds proclaim!

The strength of my life!
The strength of my life!
The strength of my life!
Of whom shall I be afraid?

fpn/January 1987

This poem is set to music. If you would like a copy, contact Joyce.



Photo Credit: Joyce Rempel, taken at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet, BC, Canada

The Infinite God

Alternate Title: "They That Wait Upon the Lord"
Isaiah 40: 26-31

Have you never heard, my brother,
has it not occurred to you
that our God is everlasting,
and He sees His projects through?
He’s the God of understanding, 
He controls the stars above.
Never say, “My way is hidden;”
God looks on in tender love!

He gives strength unto the fainting
and His power to the weak;
mortal man has limitations;
even young men sometimes break.
But our Lord, the great Creator
of this spinning earthen ball
never tires, does not grow weary.
The Sustainer of it all!

Chorus:
They that wait upon the Lord—
shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they that wait upon the Lord—
shall renew their strength again.
They shall run and not grow weary—
they shall walk and never faint;
they that wait upon the Lord—
shall renew their strength again!

fpn/undated
This is written as a song, but the music has not yet been located.



Picture: depositphotos.com #5719634, standard license

Do It Again, Lord

Noah was true when his friends went astray;
while others scoffed, built the ark anyway.
You spurred him on till that deluge of rain;
as our trials mount, please do it again.

Moses stood still by the shore of the sea
pressed by a army and nowhere to flee.
You made a path just as dry as the plain;
when we face Red Seas, Lord, do it again.

Joshua circled that Jericho town;
God’s people shouted, the walls tumbled down.
How can we conquer this world and its sin?
You have the answer; Lord, do it again.

Elijah called to the spiritually blind,
“Why be so fickle, please make up your mind!”
Building an altar, he then stopped to pray;
God sent the fire; Lord, do it today.

Pentecost found them all gathered in prayer;
soon they were preaching God’s word everywhere.
Nothing could stop them, although some were slain;
we need that boldness; Lord, do it again.

Stephen just drove them right out of their wits
when he lashed out at those vain hypocrites.
It cost him his life, but it shook up the town;
Saul got converted, turned the world upside down.

Peter and John met a beggar one day
just as they entered the temple to pray.
“Silver and gold have I none,” Peter said,
“Jesus now heals you, so take up your bed.”

All these are telling us what You have done,
how You complete everything You’ve begun.
We know you’re able—to us it is plain,
but our world needs to see it, so do it again.

Send a revival, oh, send it today—
saints in repentance and sinners who pray.
Grant us forgiveness and cleanse every stain;
give us your blessing; Lord, do it again.

Do it again, Lord, do it again;
You know just how and where to begin.
You’ve shown your power so often before,
so do it again, Lord, do it once more.

fpn / undated
Published as Poem #34 in Contemporary Psalms


Picture of painting "Il passaggio del Mar Rosso" by Luca Giordano

On Eagle’s Wings

They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 
Isaiah 40:31 KJV








To have wings like an eagle—
wouldn’t that be the life?
To go for an outing
with a friend or my wife?
But we’re at the mercy
of machines and our feet;
brief time and short distance—
so soon we are “beat.”

We’re always in danger
of traffic or crime,
pollution, foul weather—
being watched all the time.
Oh, to soar by the hour
where the air is so clean;
to scan the wide vistas
by man seldom seen.

We speak about people 
who “rise to the top,”
but oft with such effort,
and so soon they may drop!
We’re small, earth-bound creatures,
let’s face it, we’re weak;
but we do have a recourse—
our God we may seek.

We can rise in our spirits
as an eagle with wings
gaining heaven’s perspective
far above earthly things.
We may run—“not be weary”
(wait on God, fellow saint!)
and “mount up as an eagle,”
we may “walk and not faint!”

fpn/1985



Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #5719634, standard license

Our Refuge and Strength

Our refuge and strength, our helper so near
through trouble and strife, we've nothing to fear.
Though mountains may tremble and tidal waves roll,
earth's boundaries may change, God is still in control
sustaining and guarding our steps on this sod.
"Be still," then He bids us, "and know I am God!"

A river so pure in Zion above;
fair land of delight, contentment and love.
No want nor oppression with Christ on the throne,
no sickness nor grief, never night sad and lone.
We long for that home as we trustingly plod.
"Be still," then He bids us, "and know I am God!"

Our refuge and strength, of hosts the adored.

His judgment is just and final his word.

Though evil men prosper and tyrants now reign, 

the world shall have rest from its battles profane.

All powers that be will submit to His rod.

"Be still," then He bids us, "and know I am God!"

fpn/72
This was written as a song. For a copy of the four part music, contact Joyce
Here is the song, sung by three of my brothers and I.