Wings of Storm... The
Savior’s Smile
When very difficult and painful things happen to us, we often feel a
alone in our deep sadness. It often seems as if God has abandoned us. The
following poem looks dark anxiety in the face, bluntly revealing our human
weakness. Then to God it races; proclaiming the very real hope and joy
that is ours in Jesus... David Paul
When I on wings of storm must ride,
No help I find to either side;
God’s promise then a distant sun,
And I alone the race must run.
Dull, unwilling faith you give no aid!
When I look to you, hope will fade;
Satan mocks my feeble, falt’ring--
Jeering at my hollow offering.
Would that my faith as oceans deep,
Overflow my spirit and seep
To my heart such peace and joy,
Fast hope in God to then deploy!
Instead I walk a maze to hope,
Not sure of anything I grope.
Perhaps nature may save my soul,
To bring the hope that makes me whole.
If heaven’s lost to faithless sight,
Might nature hold some promise bright?
Will flowers fair and tow’ring trees
Bring peace upon my stormy seas?
Savage nature you are no friend—
A false beauty is your pretend.
I walk within your meadows bright,
Seeking there a glorious sight.
Instead my spirit looks in shock,
Death and decay all beauty block;
In rapture of the setting sun,
I see the predatory one.
Fleeing to God for something sure;
In Him I seek to rest secure.
Yet faith again slippery proves,
As anxious thoughts my hope removes.
Doubt’s dull blurring eyes cannot find,
Peaceful solace from friends, though kind;
God’s citadel they cannot see,
It’s walls, no refuge prove to be.
Oh, but that I were just simple--
That nature’s beauty were ample!
I long for the pristine garden walk
Where friends can join in joyful talk.
Deep, deep, deep dark anxiety,
I find no rest because of thee.
I hate you as hell’s evil hound,
Because of you no solid ground.
Alone and chained I am by you;
A thief who leaves me words too few
To share with friends my deepest woes--
Heart’s anxious pain that overflows.
It’s not by choice that comes such pain;
No desire here to go insane!
If my choice and will had power,
All life would change this very hour!
All of this world’s passing glory
Gives no good end for earth’s sad story.
I clutch no worldly possession,
I’d toss all, my pain to lessen!
All worldly loss I’d count as gain,
Nothing keep, if peace then remain.
If poverty would calm the storm,
Come gaunt hand, take us safe from harm!
Or if my body’s sacrifice
Would for cherished loved ones suffice,
To keep them safe and keep them well,
For such a prize I’d face bleak hell.
Yet no! We all walk in harm’s way.
I’m powerless to save the day!
I walk with Jesus life’s long road,
There to carry a heavy load.
Each path I take, Golgotha stands,
A crossbeam to impale our hands.
Jesus here would have avoided,
Foul ancient ruins again exploited.
Damn you Satan! Damn you Dark One!
No mercy by you ever done;
Pleasure in pain your delight,
Hurting even the Son of Light!
Jesus! Precious Lord, my Savior!
Let me keep watch with You this hour.
My torn, anxious heart not to sleep;
Your torn, anxious heart I would keep.
I’m unworthy, prone to slumber,
May I not our time dishonor.
Show me in Your pain and sorrow,
How our suff’ring You do hallow.
Teach my faithless eyes not to stray,
That on Your terror they may stay.
Knowing better Your sacrifice,
What You endured to pay the price.
Wretched man I am thus to grieve.
Seeking You, to my pain relieve;
I’m nothing but a fading flower—
You, great Jehovah, with all power!
That You should face the anxious hour;
That You should, Lord, be made lower!
The very thought of Your great love,
Should pull my thoughts to heav’n above.
Only lit by heavenly glory,
Does life tell a better story;
Only through the Savior’s eyes,
Meadows brighten below blue skies.
See Him walk in flowered field,
His touching hands creation healed;
On the cross nature’s thorn was pulled,
Let this glorious work be told!
Nature, God’s canvas, in progress.
Incomplete, yes, but yet not less.
Painted colors dashed here and there,
God’s great design remains unclear.
The day will come when it is done,
Forests will glisten in the sun;
Colors rich and deep revealing,
Jesus’ hidden plan detailing.
Remember, O’ my soul, this day,
The Lord stopping along the way;
Moving fingertips to flowers,
That had grown from gloomy showers.
Dark clouds we cannot keep away;
Bad storms are bound to come our way.
Yet here we too must learn to grow,
The tempest’s flow’r will one day show.
As on Golgotha’s gloomy day,
Death delivered, our debt to pay;
There seemed no good could come of that,
Dismayed disciples pined and sat.
From the cross and through silent tomb,
A vine is growing from the gloom.
Darkness fading in heaven’s light.
Gone forever will pass soul’s night;
"He is risen!" our happy cry,
God’s loved ones now will never die!
Thorns will pierce and animals prey--
Fading shadows along our way.
"See the sparrow?" The Savior smiles.
Of course He knows all that defiles;
He sees the dark, lurking presence--
Stormy clouds around existence.
We lift our voice to God and pray,
Light shines upon the stormy day;
He sends a rainbow in the sky,
Smiling brightly, He stands near by.
Life now is both rainbow and cloud;
Heaven is veiled by a shroud.
The Lord stands not before the cross,
But smiling beyond death and loss.
Savior, may I Your bright smile know,
To accept the pain as I grow.
Holding tightly, Your promise sure,
While my sufferings I endure.
Dear Lord in my anxiety,
Help me Your happy face to see.
David Paul Anderson
© 2006 Pastor David Paul Anderson