words from a favorite hymn you can hear[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=470&min=40&orderby=titleA&show=20]here
The Heavens are Lowering Overcast
[i]vs.2: The storm is raging fearfully,
And satan sore my soul intrigues,
Tho' night be dark'ning cheerlessly,
I know that my redeemer4 lives!
Chorus:
I'll come, I'll come, I'll glady come,
gladly to Thee
But if Thou dost a longer stay decree
a longer stay decree
In storm and labor, I will stand
in storm and labor I will stand,
My soul's in Thy o'ershadowing hand
my soul's in Thy o'ershadowing hand.
vs 4
The sinking earth is soon no more,
It trembles like a skiff in strand,
But I secure on heaven's shore,
Can view celestial promise land!
I'm so glad today, that regardless of whatever happens in this life that I can fully trust My Heavenly Father!
And I praise the Lord for all His patience that He has extended towards a hard hearted and rebellious people!
When this time is trembling, and those that cling to it are fretting, I pray that God's people will be able to say with the hymnist:[i]In storm and labor I will stand!
My soul's in Thy overshadowing hand!
And a fearful world will see a trusting, obedient people, which speaks louder words than all the tracts I could ever hand out. (Not that I have anything against that, I do not.)
Today as I turn 49 years old, almost a half a century, I see just how much of my time I have wasted. But I thank God that He did not allow me to be consumed in my foolishness! But I pray and desire that these latter years in my life are more fruitful for the kingdom of God than the former!
As I sat and wept listening to this song this morning I wondered, if every Christian were to walk in personal revival: a fire in their devotions; a peace and unity in their homes; prayers that burn in the heart and groan in the spirit; the Word of God being dear and precious and worthy of my obedience and diligence; an accountability to God AND to my brother and sister, would it not catch fire?
When we hear the words: "Send a revival, start the work in me.." (From Cleanse Me), doesn't it resonate in us?
This morning more than ever my prayer for us all is that: we would love what God loves and hate what He hates; that we would see what He sees and speak what He would have us speak. That we would be willing and humble, full of faith and discernment, full of brotherly love and wisdom. That we would be unafraid of earthly storms, willing to be generous, not a respector of persons, and not drawn into the media hype of this life!
Love in Christ,
Lori