Take Up My Cause

Take up my cause and fight for me, Lord,

For I cannot wage this war.

See all the evil that hinders me,

And beats me down to the floor.

Strike with your mighty fists a blow,

Deliver my soul from disgrace.

Give me a faith that trusts in You,

And let me see Your face.

Take up my cause and fight for me, Lord,

Redeem me through Your prayers.

Plead my case, before Your throne

And drive out all my fears.

Fall upon enemies of my heart;

Drive them out to the sea.

Give me Your hand and lift me up,

And save me eternally.

Take up my cause and fight for me, Lord,

Starve out the sin in me.

Rend every thought that feeds my crime,

And teach me to be free.

Help Thou the unbelief in me,

Sustain Your peace in my heart.

Give me respite from the torments within,

And command the evil depart.

Take up my cause and fight for me, Lord,

For victory I plead.

Create a new heart within me, Lord

And this will be all I need.

Faith and Repentance

Faith and repentance must always be linked; when divorced neither remains.

Faith cannot be realized unless it's recipient is worthy of the trust.  We cannot trust a god who is less than holy and perfect.   Being in the presence of Holiness and Perfection highlights our sinfulness and yields repentance.

Repentance without faith is only shame.  Unless there is hope of healing, the sting of guilt and the sorrow for sin remains a galling weight.  True repentance highlights the forgiving character of the injured and yields faith.

"Whoever under the reproof of God will humble the soul with confession and repentance, as did David, may be sure that there is hope for him.  Whoever will in faith accept God's promises, will find pardon." P&P 9726.5)