Image: Matthias Heil, Unsplash
1. When all my peace and joy
Are stripped away,
You are in the darkness I must face.
2. When all my health and strength
Are stripped away,
You are in the stillness I embrace.
3. When all my hopes and dreams
Are stripped away,
You are in the sorrow that remains.
4. When all I thought I had
Is stripped away,
You are in the silence, Lord, that reigns.
References
1. You have covered us with darkness (Psalm 44:19; NLT).
O Lord, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness (1 Kings 8:12; NLT).
If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT).
2. My health is broken (Psalm 38:7; NLT).
My strength is gone (Daniel 10:17; NLT).
Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10; NLT).
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26; NLT).
3. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken (Job 17:11; NLT).
He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4; NIV).
4. Even what they think they have will be taken from them (Luke 8:18; NIV).
After the fire [came] a sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19:12; NRSV).
This reminds me so much of times when I have been brought low by illness when all is dark. But it is in those moments the distance between God and my pain is closed as He draws nearer. It seems crazy to say but as I reflect on such past moments I see some of my lifes most intimate moments with God. Not because I did anything but because He heard my souls cry. What a wonderful Saviour God!
I was praying for you this morning Ruth, may our Father bless you and sustain you today.
Thank you so much for all your kind words and prayers, Alan. God has given me some ways forward today, for which I’m deeply grateful. I do hope you are able to continue making progress, however slowly. You’re going through so much xxxxx