I've Seen Trouble

  

I’ve Seen Trouble

(“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1)

I’ve seen trouble and so have you,
we have lived on the outside while the pots boiled
within.

I’ve wondered who will pay attention and so have you,
we have felt the pinch of a thousand wordless letters
from friends.

Sanity seemed a cross-country dream,
we have held on by a thread.
Tears were our food and drink while
others just shook their heads

And told us we were not strong enough.
I believed them and so have you,
we have fought and lost against their vain
demands.
I’ve seen clear days and so have you,
we smelled the meadow aroma after yester-
day’s rain.

Clearly the sun dried petals and blooms,
we have walked in the margins.
With one foot in the storm and one in the sun
others doubted our battles

And told us we weren’t right in the head.

I’ve found solace and so have you,
we have answered the small voice that is bigger than
our fears.
I’ve wondered why God pays attention and so have you,
we have felt the gaze of a closeup love that never dis-
appears.

God's Nearness in our Trials

“You protect me with your saving shield. You support me with your right hand. You have stooped to make me great.” Psalm 18:35

Life is full of adventure, wonder and surprises around nearly every bend. But adventure cannot exist without the possibility of misadventure. Wonder sometimes comes like a box full of question marks asking why when we have cleared a row of hurdles, a hundred more wait ahead. And for some, life has dropped bomb after bomb upon them so that bad news is no surprise at all.

Of Afflictions and Deliverance

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but out of them all the Lord delivers him.” Psalm 34:19

It is obvious that the righteous go through troubles. They are no more immune from tribulation that anyone else. Indeed, the righteous may actually endure greater affliction than others. Besides the normal vicissitudes of life, there are inner and outer troubles unique to the righteous.