THERE IS NO OTHER WAY

So long had darkness cursed the earth,

And man in sin had languished,

Oblivious to all but birth,

And death and greed and anguish.

And then there came that glorious dawn,

When God dispelled the darkness,

And met the agony of man

With God in human likeness.

And of that gracious gift of love,

Both God and angels say,

"there was no other way."

And in the course of God’s desire

To break the chains of human bondage,

The son he gave must feel the fire

Of Satan’s world of hate and carnage.

And so upon the cross he hung,

And bore the wounds of man’s rebellion,

That from once-wretched lips be sung

The glorious song of God’s redemption.

And of that sacrifice of love

Both God and angels say,

"there was no other way."

Now in this world where Satan’s power

Has kissed with death man’s goals and pleasures,

And made his sweet success to sour,

And touched with rust his glitt’ring treasures,

There stands the fortress of God’s love,

Preserving joy and peace forever.

And all who walk with God above

Will then from Satan’s pow’r be severed.

And of this fortress of God’s love

Both God and angels say,

"there is no other way."

DAVID MORSEY