Songs In The Night

FEAR My friend went on ahead And left me here To walk my last, long mile Alone; and Fear Stepped to his vacant place And said that he Would walk with me, and my Companion be. And so he dogged my steps In this dark vale Where death's wings shadow me. My face grew pale, My spirit quailed. I called One precious Name In my distress, and lo, That loved One came! He closely holds my hand, This tender Friend, Nor will He let me go Until the end. And as He walks with me, Daily more dear, I find that trust and love Have cast out Fear. Martha Snell Nicholson (From A Daily Visit To Ivory Palaces ) Romans 5:1-5  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the lo...

Today Help me to place in Thy hands today The thing that my heart most fears— Tomorrow’s anguish and bitter pain, Tomorrow’s sorrows and tears; The long, long years, and the loneliness, The silence, the vacant chair . . . The grief of today is enough, dear Lord, But tomorrow’s I cannot bear! Ease Thou my burden and lighten my load Till only today is left. Soft comes His voice in the hush of my soul, “O broken heart, and bereft, “My grace is sufficient for thee today, Pillow upon My breast Thy weary head, in My circling arms Today thou shalt find rest. “Today I can meet thine every need, Today My love can fill The echoing chambers of thine heart. Then rest thee, and be still.” Be still and trust . . . tomorrow’s tears May all be wiped away By God Himself . . . O grieving heart, Thy Lord may come today! ~Martha Snell Nicholson~

This is one of two poems that offer a comforting look back (to the day a loved one went home to Heaven) and forward to spending eternity with the Lord ourselves. The first one is: Since Yesterday . Eternity I stood with God on the edge of the world, and my hand was in His hand. I looked down the road of the past, as it stretched away in the dim distance, till it was shrouded in the mists of time. And I knew it had no beginning, and a little chill wind of fear blew about my head. God asked, "Are you afraid?" And I said, "Yes, because I cannot understand how there can be no beginning." So God said, "Let us turn and face the other way." And I looked into glory, and my heart rejoiced with joy unspeakable. And then my mind went ahead, a billion, billion years, and I knew there would be no end, and again that little chill wind of fear began to blow. And God asked me again, "Are you afraid?" And I answered, "A little, because I cannot understand ho...

Perhaps this week could be set aside to post poems about Heaven or our pilgrimage there. This poem is one that had an impact on me last year, and was a tremendous source of comfort. A friend, who was influential in my starting to preach at the Gospel Mission over 2 1/2 years ago, went home to be with the Lord at the beginning of 2005 - then later, my Mom also went home to be with the Lord. This poem is a testimony of where they are now: Since Yesterday Along the golden streets A stranger walks tonight With wonder in his heart -- Faith blossomed into sight. He walks and stops and stares, And walks and stares again At vistas of loveliness Beyond the dreams of men. He who was feeble, weak, And shackled to a bed Now climbs eternal hills With light and easy tread. He has escaped at last The cruel clutch of pain; His lips shall never taste Her bitter cup again. Oh never call him dead, This bouyant one and free, Whose daily portion is Delight and ecstacy! He bows in speechless joy Before the ...