(C) Cheryl Howard 2008

There are days when my sight of YOU, tis clouded

When the closeness of YOUR Presence emerges shrouded

Days a weighty fog upon me rests

Seasons when my constancy YOU test

 

 

What is not of faith YOU said is sin

Will I choose to trust and to YOU cling?

When the path I walk is grey and fraught with gloom?

Under my feet lay obstacles and I feel trapped in confined room?

 

 

The work of Grace YOU told me true, it comes from YOU

So in patient suffering I choose to yield, as it YOU lovingly do

I may not know the way YOU lead, but of YOU I can be sure

The journey that I take YOU choose, so to YOU keep my heart pure

 

 

For YOU I long to please, more than any other thing

To fill YOUR Precious heart with joy – and to YOU glory bring!

So upon myself I dare not trust, not even for a minute

On YOU Alone I do depend, and have no life unless YOU’re in it!

 

 

I love YOU in my frailty, and my failing, feeble ways

Long for YOU more than any other O BELOVED Ancient of Days

Even in my fears and doubts YOUR goodness I know is true

In YOUR heart of Love I stand secure, anchored SAVIOR in YOU!

 

 

 

 

thought for the journey ….

 

It is so important that we know and understand the heart, the character, and the nature of our Loving Heavenly FATHER, of our SAVIOR JESUS and of HOLY SPIRIT - our Comforter, Counsellor, Guide and Teacher. If we don’t we can fall prey to believing the lies of our accusers - be they harsh and challenging circumstances, disappointment, disillusionment, despair, or the enemy of our souls - the devourer.

 

Contrary to popular belief our GOD doesn’t promise us an easy, trouble free life - HE does promise us HIS peace in the midst of life’s challenges, and ultimate victory; HE does tell us to be of good cheer (in spite of tribulations) because  HE has overcome the world! (John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!”) 

And HE does promise to work all things together for the good of those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purposes (not our own purposes and agendas but HIS - we need to yield our own and trust in HIM!) (Romans 8:28).

 

If our expectations of GOD are not grounded in truth then we can become embittered, accusational and angry at HIM when HE appears to fail in the delivery of them! Our SAVIOR JESUS is actually more interested in our holiness than our happiness (1 Peter 1:15-16 “But as HE who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy for I am Holy.’”). HE did not create us common, for ‘common’ use, but HE is making of our lives something of exceptional ‘uncommon’ beauty, set apart for HIM.

Yes, HE promises us joy, HIS joy, in HIS Presence (Psalm 16:11). In other words we can’t experience true joy unless we keep close to HIM, in an open, trusting, obedient and intimate relationship. We need to know and understand HIS patient purposes within us - what HE is doing in our lives and what HE is fashioning of us! And we need to yield to HIS Potter’s hands, resting trustingly in HIS goodness towards us. We were made for HIM! 

Ephesians 2:10 ”For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

 

HE yearns to make of our lives such a thing of beauty that it will endure for all eternity; so pure and selfless that it will be radiant with HIS glory, and will delight HIS heart.

HE is working to restore in us the beauty of HIS image that our sin has marred and destroyed beyond recognition.

And just as intense heat purifies gold, stripping it of mixture and dross, and as almost unbearable pressure and heat turns common carbon atoms into diamonds, so HE uses difficulties, pressures, challenges and trials to bring forth in us exquisite, pure, radiant and lasting beauty!