Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
From Matthew 8:24-26: “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He [Jesus] was asleep. And they went and woke Him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm.”
Threatened again by life’s turbulent storms
Feeling life adrift, outside of God’s norms
Feelings of uncertainty rise and bubble up
Flooding hearts with doubt, an empty cup
Walking life’s endless road challenges us
Experiencing feelings of fear, never a plus
Darkness quietly creeps into our peaceful place
Feeling alone, faith weakens from our daily race
Our God, never far away from our uncertain life walk
Replacing doubt, His Word will stand up as our rock
Our God never leaves us feeling alone at life’s curb
Growing through His love, always fulfilling and superb
Seeking our Holy God in the best of times
Finding Him in the midst of darkest climbs
Our God’s steady presence strengthens our resolve
Calming our darkest fears, they simply will dissolve
God’s love never wavers, a bright eternity to be filled
Answering prayers, restoring each soul, faith rebuilds
From the words of Christian author Lee Strobel, “Struggling with God over the issues of life doesn’t show a lack of faith–that is faith.”
The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as a historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
Are you reluctant to serve the Lord because you’re afraid or feel inadequate? Even the Apostle Paul felt this way.
From 2 Corinthians 2:16: “Who is sufficient for these things?”
From the words of British pastor and theologian, Charles Spurgeon: “The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.”
Encountering another of life’s setbacks
Visitor from the darkness shouts, “I am back”
Old Man Trouble comes knocking at my front door
Relentless, he desires to even the score
How will I choose to deal with adversity?
His darkness masks the sky over this city
Tackle straight forward what Old Man Trouble brings
Or . . . wait timidly for his continued sting
God’s Word teaches us and brings us hope:
We all live preciously in God’s perfect sight
He gathers us in His loving, Holy might
Past—present—future . . . from the Great I Am
Making it through turbulent seas for each lamb
Through desolate wilderness, God shares a way
Bringing rivers of hope to this life’s gateway
Looking Old Man Trouble in his doom-filled eyes
With faithful courage, my hope begins to rise
Life waits to see . . . who will finally blink first?
With God’s living water, quenching my parched thirst
Listening, following God’s steadfast handbook
His love will save me with a whole new outlook
Bringing Godly fortitude, when needed most
Old Man Trouble defeated, nothing to boast
From Isaiah 43:2-3: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Photo by Frans Van Heerden on Pexels.com
When we are suffering, only Christ’s perspective can replace our resentment with rejoicing. Our whole perspective changes when we catch a glimpse of the purpose of Christ in it all.
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Habit is a cable, we weave a thread of it each day, and at last we cannot break it.
From James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”
The dearest friend on earth is but a mere shadow compared with Jesus Christ.
From John 15:13: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Will not the Lord’s time be better than your time?
From 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.”
This poem is written as a traditional Sonnet, but it can certainly be read as a prayer. God’s peace!
Lives pretending to follow a Holy God
Being of the flesh, greater than the spirit
Living as infants in our Lord Jesus Christ
Thirsty for our Father’s love, we shall fear it
Life filled with jealousy and quarrelsome times
Behaving outside of our Father’s design
Belonging to the Left, beholding the Right
Only walking with Jesus, should lives align
Sowing life’s seeds for a bountiful harvest
Thirsty for true living water and care
This world’s Master Builder brings His hope-filled Grace
Humbling kneeling at the Cross, hear our prayers
Only through our Lord Jesus, rests our foundation
Unifying voices throughout this nation
From 1 Corinthians 3:21-23: “So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”
