The key to courageously facing the future is confidence in the Lord. He’s your shelter, strength, and help in trouble.
From Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”
From Psalm 107:8-9: “Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind. For He satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry He fills with good things.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Grace and peace filling life’s spirit
God, Creator, Holy Father
Gathering heavens, earth, and sea
Blessing east to west, north to south
His goodness shall never leave thee
Jesus Christ, Savior, Son of God
Commands and conquers stormy seas
Quiets endless wind into peace
Saving us from life’s gloomy breeze
Holy Spirit, Son’s Advocate
Wondrous works across land and sea
Turns desert to Living Water
Blessing days, Spirit true and free
Eternal Father, Three in One
Trinity’s mercy from above
Sing of Holy deeds, songs of joy
God’s Glory reigning with His love
English writer and hymnist, William Whiting wrote the lyrics to the hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” Used in a recent devotional, this hymn inspired the crafting of this poem. Written in 1860, this hymn is also known as “The Navy Hymn.”
The right hand of God is writing in our land,
Writing with power and with love.
Our conflicts and our fears, or triumphs and our tears
Are recorded by the right hand of God.
The right hand of God is pointing in our land,
Pointing the way we must go.
So clouded is the way, so easily we stray,
But we’re guided by the right hand of God.
The right hand of God is striking in our land,
Striking out at envy, hate, and greed.
Our selfishness and lust, our pride and unjust
Are destroyed by the right hand of God.
Desmond Tutu is a South African Anglican cleric and Christian theologian. He is well known for his social activism in his native country. This excerpt comes from his book, AN AFRICAN PRAYER BOOK.
From 2 Corinthians 4:8-10: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”
Life’s balance totters back and forth
Living one moment as sinners
Other moments walking as saints
Hope springs forth from living Jesus
Just as Jesus Christ has risen
We shall be raised with our Savior
By accepting and loving Him
Eternity calls believers
Resurrection unlocks promise
God’s love shouts from criminal’s cross
Jesus conquers both sin and death
Taking our place, erasing debts
Spirit allows life to grasp hope
Our outer selves wasting away
Inner selves renewed with each day
Eyes cannot see, yet trust in faith
Mercy runs deeper than water
Living Water with purity
Believe in Christ, Lord and Savior
Leading with grace to our Father
From 2 Corinthians 5:1: “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Carrying
Life’s transgressions
Savior’s mercy saves
Jesus bearing our debts
Cross
Witness
Solid rock
Faith’s living cornerstone
Savior’s righteousness and blessing
Jesus
Seeking
Holy Messiah
Accepting His grace
Faithfully walking with Jesus
Eternity
Knowing that God is ever-present motivates us to think, speak, and behave in ways that glorify Him.
From U: “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.”
Whenever you’re not sure how God thinks about sin or deals with it, go to His Word. He will guide you into truth.
From Titus 3:3-5: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
In midst of life’s storms
Lord’s encouragement builds hope—
Blessed hand of grace
Led by the Spirit
Born into new life through Christ—
Righteousness brings hope
Growing in our love
Finding hope’s meaning of life—
Believing in Christ
Jesus stands ready
He understands life
With its hardships
He’s walked there
Experiencing it all
His body bears
Marks of death
Hands forever scarred
Feet harshly pierced
He defeated death
Empty tomb proclaims
He understands thee
Life’s never-ending turmoil
He offers hopefulness
Encouraging and loving
His reassuring voice
Calming all worries
Life’s sufferings appear
Generating lasting tenacity
Trusting in Him
Rock of Salvation
Sending steadfast love
From heaven above
Faithful and righteous
Extending into Eternity
Never be afraid
Always trust Him
Hearing His words
Praising and soothing
Giving peaceful strength
Against harsh times
Open one’s heart
Closed door opens
Jesus stands ready
This Christian poem was written and published in July, 2019. Writing faith-based poetry continues to be one of my favorite places to be.
From Psalm 103:1-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Scattered by earth’s hopeless winds
Relationships, bodies, hearts
Life filling with brokenness
Divine healing, God imparts
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Healing comes from purest source
Balm of hope offers treatment
Mind, body, and soul endorse
Amazing grace saves sinners
Hope now strengthens and rebounds
Mercy and love rebuild faith
Forgiveness heals and surrounds
Healing balm making us whole
Caring for lifetime of scars
Miracle restores fullness
God’s Glory shining from stars
Finding places and people
Savior Jesus leads our way
Bearing our burdens as well
Healing brokenness this day
A traditional African-American spritual, “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” serves as an inspiring complement to this poem. You are invited to take a moment to listen.
Love
Creating mankind
Jesus calling us
To love one another
Peace
Life’s
Darkest depths
Rescued by Jesus
Sharing His Good News
Grace
Mission
Without fear
Reshaping this world
To right side up
Jesus
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
