THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS *

The Earth totters in a pool of stars
in her sparkled slip of sky;
Narrow edges of clouds ignite
As Time hurtles by.

Heavenly Father, we plead thy mercy,
Do not in anger turn away--
From the folly of your people
Proud minds in disarray--

Might strange storms rise up, for warning--
And lightning bend the stubborn knee--
That they might tremble at thy glory---
O let the blinded see!

For men prepare for war, in darkness
And betrayal will adorn chosen souls:
Martyrs, caught-- for glory
For Jesus' sake-- brought low.

The Eternal One, ever watches
And his righteous wrath will fall.
We are strangers here-- and hated;
We are hunted down-- but called--

Ever following the Lord Jesus, ever praising:
His blood-- his tears, bequeathed--
Behold: the startling mercy
That covers, and entreats.

For if in faith there might be sorrow
Let us not dread the task thereof--
The Lord Jesus regards our helpless ache
And lifts us, tenderly-- to love.

                                                                        ~Abby Elizabeth Charland

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Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.


                                              --Psalm 79:9