The Calvinist

See him on his knees,

Hear his constant pleas:
Heart of evry aim:
Hallowed be Your name.

See him with his wife,

Parable for life:
In this sacred scene
She is heavens queen.

See him in the Word,

Helpless, cool, unstirred,
Heaping on the pyre
Heed until the fire.

See him stray. He groans.

One is true, he owns.
What is left to me?
Fallibility.

See him with his books:

Tree beside the brooks,
Drinking at the root
Till the branch bear fruit.

See him in lament

Should I now repent?
Yes. And then proclaim:
All is for my fame.

See him with his pen:

Written line, and then,
Better thought preferred,
Deep from in the Word.

See him worshipping.

Watch the sinner sing,
Spared the burning flood
Only by the blood.

See him in the square,

Kept from subtle snare:
Unrelenting sleuth
On the scent of truth.

See him on the shore:

Whence this ocean store?
From your God above,
Thimbleful of love.

See him on the street,

Seeking to entreat,
Meek and treasuring:
Do you know my King?

See him now asleep.

Watch the helpless reap,
But no credit take,
Just as when awake.

See him in dispute,

Firm and resolute,
Driven by the fame
Of his Fathers name.

See him nearing death.

Listen to his breath,
Through the ebbing pain:
Final whisper: Gain!

See him at his trade.

Done. The plan is made.
Men will have his skills,
If the Father wills.
See him at his meal,
Praying now to feel
Thanks and, be it graced,
God in evry taste.
See him with his child:
Has he ever smiled
Such a smile before,
Playing on the floor?

John Piper