In the still of the night, thoughts ricochet like bullets in a tank. Nighttime becomes a battle ground against insecurity, against fear, against doubt. Insidious infections, these, but the antidote comes in several forms: the truth of God's word, the Bible, washing over my mind and heart; spoken words of prayer and praise, which the Spirit inspires and inhabits; and the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Tonight only one phrase rose: "God never is before his time and never is behind," from a poem my mother often quoted or shared in written form. An internet search located a copy printed in 1892. It was written by Rev. Thomas Toke Lynch (1818-1871). Perhaps it will be an encouragement to you as well.
Say not, my soul, “From whence
Can God relieve my care?”
Remember that Omnipotence
Has servants everywhere.
God’s help is always sure,
His methods seldom guessed:
Delay will make our pleasure pure;
Surprise will give it zest.
His wisdom is sublime,
His heart profoundly kind;
God never is before His time,
And never is behind.
Hast thou assumed a load
Which few will share with thee?
And art thou carrying it for God,
And shall he fail to see?
Be comforted at heart,
Thou art not left alone;
Now, thou the Lord’s companion art,
Soon, thou wilt share His throne.
- T. T. Lynch
Photo: personal collection
No comments:
Post a Comment