Rescued by His Mercy 
"They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a molten image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior…Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes, and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. He remembered for their sake his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love." 1
The Horeb Open-Pit Mine
When every ounce of love is spent,
Sweet joy turns to embitterment.
For sacrifices with a cost,
The self resents what it has lost.
The Master casts His worthless slave
Deep in a pit worst than the grave:
Deep in the Horeb mine he falls --
In selfish sin, the self withdraws.
Self hews the rock of resentment
And poisons its environment
With burnt tailings of self and sin --
The churning slag hardens within.
In my despair I gaze on High
"Master, save me!" is my weak cry.
He looks with pity on my soul
And rescues me from my control.
He melts my slag in Love's hot flame
and distills love from what was shame;
Restores my heart and heals my past:
Behind His back my sins are cast.
From Horeb pit to Sinai,
My soul is lifted with His sigh.
How glorious my Master's gaze --
He mines love from my selfish ways!
(c) Paul Buis, 2000
