Monday, November 04, 2013

Soaring above Sorrow

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted in me?  Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance… The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life”  (Psalm 42:5,8).  “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).  Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets?” (Zechariah 7:7).  “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly… according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ… according to the... scriptures of the prophets” (Romans 16:20-27). 

The list of reasons may be long
That seem to ground our flight from sorrow,
That rob us of a joyful song,
And dim our prospect of tomorrow. 

Let souls that still refuse the Lord
Be rightly fearful and depressed,
Since, by their choice, they have ignored
The only Way they may be blessed. 

But why, my soul, are you cast down? 
The Lord is still upon His throne! 
Should not His joy erase your frown,
Since He will not forsake His own?

His lovingkindness rules the day,
And in the night His song is near
To bid my soul to come away  
And listen to His voice of cheer. 

Has not He rescued you from wrath? 
Has not He proven what is right?
Does not He guide you on your path
That shines yet more and more with light? 

Should not you hear what God has said
Through what His prophets testified? 
Is not Christ risen from the dead
As He Himself had prophesied? 

Yes, weeping surely has its place,
And we should weep with those who weep,
Yet never turn our eyes from grace
Or from the oath that God will keep.

The Lord has shown us how it ends: 
The serpent’s head shall soon be bruised. 
Though Satan with the Lord contends,
His end is sure; be not confused! 

O Lord, we thank You for Your joy!
Though Satan, as a lion roaring,
Would steal, kill, and then destroy,
Above it all, Your joy is soaring.

We’re called to weep now as we go
To sow the Gospel where we’re sent.
Yet joy will follow, this we know,
As sinners trust You and repent.

Our eyes are fixed upon Your love;
We see beyond the present strife
As we behold You, Lord, above
And You extend abundant life!

O Lord, our joy is found in You! 
We are Your sheep who hear Your voice. 
Let nothing now obscure the view
Of all our reasons to rejoice! 


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