Raising the Dead

He did not say, “Bring out the dead.”

“Lazarus, come forth,” the Savior said.

And had he not thus specified

All the dead would have complied.

One day he will give that command,

And, from all parts of sea and land

The dead from all time past will come,

No longer blind or deaf or dumb.

Each then will speak in his own voice,

Admit and verify his choice

Of how, in what way he would live

And what of self to God he’d give.

Each then will hear Lord Jesus say,

“Come with me now,” or, “Go away.”

“With or without me you will be

Both now and in eternity.”

Not only Lazarus, but me

From death the Savior Christ did raise.

With countless others He has saved

From hell I lift my voice in praise.

Two and sixty years have passed

Since I, dead then in sin,

Was called to life again by Christ,

My war with Satan thus to win.

With my defending Savior Christ

Beside me I choose not to flee.

To my soul’s enemies he says,

“To own him you must conquer Me.”

Now dressed in armor God supplies

And with Lord Jesus close beside,

Not dreading death or any foes

I in my Savior’s love abide.

To His memorial supper He

Invites, and makes a place for me.

How could I dishonor and reject

The one who saved and made me free?

To spurn his invitation now –

Has gratitude now grown so dim? –

Would be dishonor, more to me

Than it could ever be to him.

God help me honor Your dear Son,

My Savior Lord, through whom I pray,

And in eternal servitude

Give the tribute I am glad to pay.

– Gerald Cowan