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The Unchanging Majesty Of God - Joseph Massey
The Unchanging Majesty Of
God
Joseph William Massey
ISBN: 9781435726949
Lulu Publishing
Reviewed By Wendy Paulson
Official Apex Reviews
Rating: 
The engrossing appeal of The Unchanging Majesty Of God, the
seminal collection of poetry by Reverend Joseph William Massey, lies both in
its subtle strength and poignant tone. Steeped in rich, powerful imagery, each
of Rev. Massey’s pieces draws parallels between the natural and spiritual
worlds, revealing for the reader the wondrous nature that they both possess, as
well as the unique bond that they share.
Through his collection, Rev. Massey aims to enlighten
readers to the true purpose of all God’s creations: to highlight the
inimitable, awe-inspiring supremacy that is His and His alone. In so doing,
Rev. Massey is careful to caution the reader not to worship the creations
themselves, but rather acknowledge the divine manifestation that brought them
to fruition. Consider, for example, this passage from “Evergreens Over
Jagged Mountains”:
“Through the often dark, struggling path of the evergreens,
Through the dreadful, silent chill of the snowy winter
scenes,
Brighter yet, the sun doth always with its warmth renew,
Reminding us of the ever present comforting, strengthening
light of Jesus
Within our lives, in everything through which we
prayerfully,
Faithfully struggle through.”
And this passage from “Gold On Forest Trees”:
“We have but to gaze in silent adoration
of this remarkable scene, and in turn,
give adoration and praise to God
for his gold adorning the forest trees,
among the lush and lively green
of summer.
It is nature’s homage and tribute
his majestic handiwork.”
Rev. Massey’s collection
is truly about parallels, though, and he does an equally effective job
highlighting for the reader the similarities between natural struggles and
those experienced by spiritual pilgrims in vessels of the flesh. Such struggles
can be seen in this passage from “Frozen Splendor”:
“In particular, even coldest
the winters of our lives,
Yet promises us Spring,
in the midst of the strife
that stifles us.
We will shed the ice, the
shield of our trials
by the power of the Holy
Spirit,
And the truth of God that
yet survives in our hearts
will reign supreme.”
And especially in this
passage from “Legs Of Stone”:
“And like legs of stone,
we will be
Just above the crusted,
devastated landscape,
And empty, lifeless,
lifeless land,
Broken fingers pointing
upward
From below, where we never
thought
Or ever chose to go,
Our hulking casement with
its belt of stone,
Still reaching upward and
alone…still clinging…
to nothing…but empty sky!”