Desert, Wilderness, Storm

THE DESERT THE WILDERNESS THE STORM I am parched, my back is arched, my body racked with pain, Nothing green in sight, my thirst, my plight, eyes playing tricks on me again. An illusion of rest beside still waters, yet can't reach the glimmer on the desert plain. I feel deflated, strength abated, yet I raise me up again. I cry aloud, my throat near closed, sores on the soles of my feet, “Lord please have mercy, my God forever, lest I’ll die within this heat!” Then I beheld, before me there, a green and lively place, Great leaves of shelter, holding water, within it, soon burying my whole face. Oh joyful day, I thank my God, for the answer to my prayer, Just in time, and assured in mind that I could thrive right there. But soon a stinging, biting, bleeding, the cruel elements too harsh for me, I’m now running, for the growling hunting, seen as prey for what was after me. Barely escaping, great tree limbs draping hiding, and covering me, Bruised and bleeding from the climbing, the height of this great tree. Soon I’m crying, weeping, bawling, yet fearing to make a sound, The momentary safety, how long the waiting, before perhaps falling to the ground. “Oh my Lord, am I now abandoned; why hast thou forsaken me? grip and balance now slipping, prepared to be eaten, as I finally came down from the tree. Shocked and determined, alive and still going... thanking my God for sparing my life. Made a sling with rocks, and a stone now sharpened, into a survivor’s hunting knife. A seemingly never ending searching, a diligent hiking, to find a shelter to claim my own. Looking up to my Hope, and soon before me a boat, ending my tiresome roam. Had not even realized the sound of waves to shore until stumbling into one hitting my knees Dragged into the boat, with my meager belongings, not once even fearing the mighty seas, By faith began rowing, not sure where I was going, one oar, one life, where only God would now lead. thanking Him again for His faithful provision, For to be thankful I know He is pleased. Soon darkness quickly swallowed the lighted day, affixed eyes now upon the moon and stars, fear of darkness, competing with fears of dark waters my face lifted towards the only light shining my way. And now before a dawning, dark clouds now spawning. engulfing the dismal orange skies, I’m now fearing the storm now brewing, winds so strong I grimace clinching shut my eyes. Losing my oar, hands trembling hands gripping, each splintery, slippery side. My boat now spinning, seemingly never ending, in the lightening and thundering, I cried. “Oh Lord my God, I trust in you! Deliver me not just from this storm! Let me find myself in you, even when I feel secure, safe and warm! When no scorching heat is beneath my feet, when my flesh is not blistered, burned and torn. When no ravishing hunger impales my soul, when no longer feeling the element's scorn. You are God in the desert, God in the wilderness, You are God in darkness and light, You are God when faced with the greatest of terrors, In the midst of every storm and plight! You brought me out in every moment, that I cried to you desperately, And you haven’t brought me this far, to leave me, and to die now so hopelessly!” “But whether I live or die, my Lord, I will bless your holy name, I know you are God in all of my miseries, let me now know you just the same. As the God of my peace, comfort, and safety, the God of restoration and health, God of authority and power, God of much more than this world's wealth! Or take me now... for I am nothing, born of a woman, born in sin, But before my last breath, please save my soul. nothing else really matters, amen." I then laid me now, face completely down, awaiting my horrible fate, So tired my body gave into the falling, of a sleeping unconscious state. I don’t know how long, that I was sleeping, but I awakened to a constant bump, Couldn’t believe my eyes, my boat was tied, and brushing against a sturdy stump. Bright skies above, gracing His love, in a great colorful beautiful bow, Softly speaking, “Here is your promise, enter here, now safely go.” On a hill, a great house stood, and I entered through the opened door. found my name etched upon a goblet written, “My child cry no more.” “Here you will thrive, not just survive, you’ll be comforted, safe, and warm, for you called upon me when in your desert, and in your wilderness, and in the storm.” You asked that I save you in every way, that could have easily been to your decide. Never once shook you fist against me Never once my name despised. You'll now know me in all of my mercies, be comforted from heat and cold, and from all that you asked that I would save you, to the very saving of your soul. " Now let my story, although told in parable, May it minister faith to you... To know that God is good, and He is faithful Whatever you’re going through. You may feel you’re all alone in this world, But for His purpose, you were born. He’ll soon bring you to your place of destiny, through your desert, wilderness, and storm.