A poem for when His face is hidden....

When I felt secure, I said,
    “I will never be shaken.” 
⁷ O Lord, when you favored me,
    you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face, 
    I was dismayed.
Psalm 30:6-7

With Your face turned towards me,

I know peace deep inside;

My steps, though uncertain,

Gladly follow my Guide.

As Your face shines upon me,

Your grace falls like rain,

The path broadens beneath me,

My ankles do not give way.

With Your face turned towards me,

I felt so secure,

Whatever the trial,

I’d faithfully endure.

As Your face shone upon me

Unlit paths became bright,

Hope burned in the darkness

As faith gave me sight.

----------

O Lord, I’m dismayed!

Your face I can’t see!

The grief in my heart -

It overwhelms me!

I want nothing on earth

Besides You alone!

I’m feeble and crushed;

In anguish I groan.

Darkness now threatens

Giants loom overhead

Fear rises within me

Can’t shake off this dread.

I yearn for those days

When Your face I could see;

To You, Lord, I call,

I cry for mercy.

----------

Your face may now be hid,

But my cry will reach Your ears,

I know You won’t leave me,

I’ve no reason to fear.

My thirst will be satisfied,

Hope will be reborn,

I’ll wait on You, my Lord -

A watchman waiting for dawn.

I remember saying to a friend not many weeks ago that I didn't think I would ever be uprooted in my walk with God again, as I felt so close to the Lord...if there is one lesson I have learned from this experience of the Lord hiding His face, it is this: It is He alone who sustains us. If I stand firm through the battles, it is by His grace alone. I can see in verse 6 of Psalm 30 that David likewise seemed to be trusting his ability to stand firm - "When I felt secure I said I will never be shaken". The experience of the Lord hiding His face quickly brought him closer to the truth - that it was the Lord alone who sustains Him in those times of safety - "You made my mountain stand firm, but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed." The reality is that "Apart from Me, you can do nothing". The reality is, as Paul Washer says, apart from Him, we can't even breathe. The mercy is that He does draw near, that He delights to shower His blessings upon us, that in Christ He never leaves us, never forsakes us, because His sacrifice alone has paid it all. He may hide His face, but only for a moment, and for only one reason....to bring us closer still.