Context: When I was praying, I saw a light shining in a vast vault of darkness. Instantly, the first line of this prayer-poem came into my mind. As always, I knew I had to write it down immediately, without thinking about anything else at all. Long experience has taught me that inspiration fades within just a few seconds if I don’t grasp it straight away. Subsequent lines usually come into my mind as I’m noting down the line before, so I just keep on writing until the sequence comes to a natural end.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it
(John 1:5; NLT).
For what other great nation has a god so near to it
as YHWH is to us when we call? (Deuteronomy 4:7; TIV).
Light in darkness,
Joy in pain,
Peace in anguish:
God is near.
Strength in weakness,
Love in hate:
All is well,
For God is here.
All shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well
(Revelations of divine love, Julian of Norwich).
God is with us (Isaiah 7:14; NLT).
References
My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; NKJV).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
If you love me and obey the command I give you, I will ask the One who sent me to give you another Paraclete, another Helper to be with you always – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept since the world neither sees her nor recognises her; but you can recognise the Spirit because she remains with you and will be within you (John 14:15-17; TIV).