Sorrow's Silver Lining

Lam.3:31-33 NIV

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to anyone.

***

Some sorrow-crosses are borne on backs,

and are easy to recognize,

some are borne in hearts and souls

known fully, only to God's eyes

This life, full of sorrow-inducing care

Is weathered best, tethered to prayer

Because wherever/whatever the cross may be

None are too hidden for God to see

No matter what hurt has fashioned its frame

Healing is found as hope trusts in His Name

*** 

Isa.40:31 NIV

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

 They will soar on wings like eagles;

 they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint.

Be Still My Soul ~ Selah ~ Lyrics

Sorrow can be a plumbless pit

Where worship could wither away

Or, it can be the key to fit

The bearer of its cross to pray

To help faith’s posture learn to lean

Completely on God’s perfect will

To guide through gates to pastures green

To lead us beside waters still

And drink from Living Streams, our fill

…where, though Evidence of things seen

May fill our Cup of Circumstance

With sorrow’s bitter go-between

Vexing hope’s perplexing substance

He shepherds and restores our souls

He leads in paths of righteousness

And sanctifies self-seeking goals

With a more Calvary-like ‘yes’

As we cling to His promises

Sorrow could drown hope in sad tears

And blind us to ‘joy set before’

And choke us with a noose of years

Where Yester’s futile shadows roar

Or sorrow can invite us to

Come unto He who gives us rest

To taste His comfort, kind and true

For He bore sorrow’s greatest test

Thus understands our sorrows best

Ah, here sorrow dons eagle’s wings

Though grief may hound time's brief sojourn

Hope's silver lining gleams; joy sings

Like a bird sensing Morn’s return

The valley of death’s shadow grants

The Shepherd's rod and staff to cheer

The Cup of bitter Circumstance

While Heaven’s gate/wait is drawing near

The hour of faith’s final tear

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not [a]want.

2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;

He leads me beside the [c]still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord

[e]Forever.