My Old Friend Found in Song

As my heart grapples with the pain of grief, and the reality of time passing and sin encroaching on happiness, I find help in a very old companion - a hymnal.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'er flow;
For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

When He calls me to something difficult, I need not concern myself with the outcome; it is in His keeping. My portion is to pray fervently for those in need. Fortunately my well-being is provided, absolutely assured. The lost are in need of my prayer and I can know that He is listening and moving accordingly.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

My grief is real and it is known. He will lead to a joyful end. He will order and provide. He knows my concern, hears my prayer, loves more faithfully than I do the lost.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.

We war against principalities and powers; our enemies are real. And we do not hold the key, He does. It is not our wisdom, our strength, our cunning, our "rightness", but Him. His great mercies will prevail, His justice will reign, His arm is not too short, His love is never ending. I will hope in Him.

Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side.
Some great cause, God's new messiah,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

Oh, God of infinite mercy, move on their hearts. Break through bonds and chains that hold them in captivity. Free them from the enemy's wicked and hateful schemes. Open their eyes and ears and let them know the truth. Let them sense your love and mercy and see the good and evil sides. Let them choose wisdom and eternal truth. May they know salvation in Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.