To Him Be All the Glory - Poem

I have been thinking about this poem for a couple of months. It is my testimony in poem form. 

We all begin our walk with the Lord seeing a glimpse of our sinful heart. The law helps us see that we fall short and deserve death. For me, I tried very hard to "make up" for my wretchedness, but glory to God, He showed me grace and justified me so I may boldly approach the throne. It was His work on the Cross, not mine that saved me. 

This poem (like the book of Hebrews and Revelations - for all you nerds!) is meant to be read out loud. Feel free to read it in your churches, gatherings or to share it. All I ask is that you mention that I wrote it. Blessings. 

To Him Be All The Glory

By Anna R. Tobey

A reflection in the mirror forces me to see the destruction

Of what I have done with my life and all the repercussions

The mirror is a tablet of stone, carved by the great I AM

Given to a Levite, son of Jacob, son of Abraham

I look at the Holy and Righteous Judge and I cower and whimper

Knowing that of all the wretches in this world, I am the greatest sinner.

What can I say, what can I do, maybe there is somehow I can serve?

Because I know the punishment, I know what’s coming, I know what I deserve.

SO . . .

I cling to my culture, I cling to my tradition,

I cling to church on Sunday, and to my ambition.

I hold on to good intentions, and to time spent helping the poor.

How I cooked for the starving, and how I swept the church floor.

I sang the songs of redemption, I sang of amazing Grace

I felt the Holy Spirit, and thought I saw Your face..

I gave all that I could, I gave more than I could even afford

I even healed the sick, I even called out LORD LORD!!

Surely, this is good enough, surely this all counts for something.

Surely, what I did in Your name is something worth trusting.

Surely, I can confide in these things that brought me joy.

Surely, they’re not dirty rags or heaps of dung for You to destroy

BUT THEY ARE . . . . . .

Your word says it plainly and it speaks rightly,

That all deserve death, even the least likely.

That we have been working and toiling and our paycheck is death

And You will come to collect when we take our last breath

Have Mercy on me oh Holy, Almighty and Righteous One.

Give me Grace paid on the cross by Your Only Son

Help me believe and put my trust on the blood of the Lamb

There is nothing, no one, nada that can save me from what I am.

WHICH IS

A sinner, a wretch, a worm not worthy to crawl in the mire

Lead by my feelings, my wants and heinous desire.

Save me from myself, don’t let me be the same.

I trust Jesus, for salvation comes from no other name!

So covered by the blood of the Lamb that made a way

No longer do I cry for mercy when I’ll see Him on my Judgement day.

For when I stand facing  the most Holy One, Christ exclaims:

"Justice for this one. Justice in my name!!"

"Justice, for she is not guilty, her debt has been paid

Justice, for my life for her has been laid!!"

So I stand, thinking mercy is what I needed

But my Advocate proclaimed  that it’s Justice that proceeded.

For I am not guilty, I am without shame

Because He became guilty, He took on my blame

And the Judge poured out His wrath and made Him pay

The debt, I could never pay, no how, no way!

So how can I not love you, how can I not sing?

Of how Amazing Grace is, and how death has no sting!?

How can I not serve you, how can I not love the least of these??

How can you not be the only One I see and want to please?!?

There is no other like you, no not one!

I love you Holy Spirit, Father and Son!

Not because I’m good, but because You loved me first!

Because, no one else would for me become such a curse!

Behold the Lamb of God, come to take away my sin!!

It was never about me, but it was always about Him!!

He will bring glory to Himself, I’m just a small part of the story!

To Him be all blessing and to Him be all the glory!!

Amen