Before The Throne

A Poem by Gabriel Mattix

I stand before the throne;

My every sense is blown.

Flashing lightning; roaring thunder,

Holy judgment I am under.

I cower and I hide,

This holiness I can’t abide.

I’ve broken Your commands;

Banish me to dying lands.

Yahweh, You are holy,

Glorious and Light.

I can’t be in Your presence.

For I have no legal right.

But what is this that I now hear?

A Mighty Figure has drawn near.

With eyes like fire, calves like bronze,

A booming voice intrudes upon.

“Your Honor, I beseech Thee,

May I approach the bench?

This one has trusted in Me,

And on him My hand is clenched.

I am the Righteous One in whom,

This lad has trusted for salvation.

Although he is a sinner true,

I’ve changed his situation.

He was born a very wicked lad.

But I have swallowed up his bad.

I called to him in the night,

And toward my voice he did take flight.”

Then the Judge spoke to me;

His voice a rushing wind.

“Boy, tell Me is it true,

My Son you’ve trusted in?

For if in Him you’ve trusted,

No more your sin I see.

Because My Son I resurrected,

You’re perfect now to me.

I surely won’t require,

Second payment for your crimes.

Your sin is now forgiven;

And your reward is life divine.”

Then I heard a trumpet blast,

And with it joyful shouts.

Jesus has defended me,

My only true Redoubt.

The Judge smiled down at me,

And leapt up from His throne.

He picked me up off of the ground.

And said, “My son, you’re home.”

He held me high,

And showed me round,

So all could see my face,

And know that I, though weak and small,

Am welcome in His place.

He said,

“This one is now my son,

Put new robes on him.

Though once was lost,

He has been found.

I’ve paid for all his sin.”

A slave to sin and death no more,

Eternity with the King in store!

Oh what pleasure! Oh what joy!

Forever now in Jesus’ employ.

Once sin and death,

Were my plight.

But now to reign with Him,

My right.

This same free gift,

He offers to all.

So come to Him,

At His feet fall.

Trust in Him,

For He is worthy.

His blood will cleanse,

The most swarthy.