So We Do Not Lose Heart

The previous poem was on change of heart; this one is about not losing heart!
so much suffering and loss in this little life, but we do not lose heart
if we fix our eyes not on the seen but what is unseen!

2 Cor.4:16-18

 So we do not lose heart. 

Though our outer self^[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory

 beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen 

but to the things that are unseen. 

For the things that are seen are transient, (temporal)

but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Lord, in this world that oft unfurls a lariat of dread

And takes us captive, not with hope but with fear’s lies instead

Protect us with a shield of faith from evil’s venom dart

Let Your full armour keep us brave so we do not lose heart

Temptation tosses glossy lures to draw us from You, Lord

And we would all fall prey, for sure, without Your Spirit-sword

Remind us whether aged or youth to re-evaluate

Lest we forget the belt of truth or righteousness’ breastplate

There is a battle that takes place where only You can see

Its warriors would fail without your grace and sympathy

But we are strong if we put on the whole armour of You

Though the world scorns, forgive them Lord, they know not what they do

How readily doubt’s gaping pit looms, filled with emptiness

How easily our feet would slip without your promises

How thankfully we cling to what we see though but in part

For we know what you say is true, thus we do not lose heart

© Janet Martin

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this world’s darkness,

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,

 you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 Ephesians 6:10-17