This poem goes so well with Saturday's post and our Lifeboats...
Which line speaks most to your outlook and situation? You're welcome to share your thoughts--please click the comment line at the bottom of this entry and mention the part of the poem that caught your attention. Your words will help others know they are not alone, and might be just the right hope and lifeline they need for today.
♥ ferree
LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS
by: William Cowper (1731-1800)
GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sov'reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
I love the image of the clouds we dread, that are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. It gives me comfort to know that when we look above those dark clouds there is a beautiful calm sky. Just beyond the storm is Our Lord.
ReplyDelete"Works His sovereign will" He is solid, perfect, all wise and all seeing. His plan is perfect - although we don't understand and so very often question - there is a peace in knowing He's got it all under control.
ReplyDeleteYe fearful saints, fresh courage take,
ReplyDeleteThe clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Is the verse that jumps out at me. Hopefully this week will bring lots of blessings as it is the 6th anniversary of Joe's passing on Saturday. It is bothering me more than what I want it to or think it should.
I also find
ReplyDeleteYe fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
encouraging as there are a lot of changes going on in my life at this time and it can be most unsettling; however if I just remember God is in control and the doom and gloom as I see it is going to be a blessing in disguise.
Looking at this picture of the raging storm and high winds imagine if you will . . . Christ being sound asleep in the stern of the ship. The Disciples are fretting back and forth (as we do) awaking the Lord saying . . "do you not care if we parish?" or "do you not care if our hearts are broken?"
ReplyDeleteLovingly and calmly Christ arose and said "peace be still" at that very moment the winds ceased and there was a great calm upon the sea. Christ asked them why they were so scared and told them of how frail their faith was.
If Christ can say in three words "peace be still" and the raging ocean is calm as a sea of glass revealing Christ's complete deity and control, then he can speak to our raging souls, scared souls, souls in pain, our broken hearted souls. . . "peace be still"
Nelson Study Bible / NJKV
Lovingly and calmly Christ arose and said, "peace be still" at that very moment the winds ceased and there was a great calm upon the sea.
ReplyDeleteMy soul reaches out to this phrase from the time of my earliest grief when I prayed for my tears to stop long enough for me to rest from the sorrow of it all. And God granted me the stillness to feel the peace through Christ that afternoon. His Grace was indeed sufficient for me at that moment in time.
"rest in the sorrow of it all..." that's grace!
ReplyDelete