Poems for the Storm Tossed Soul

 

His Billows

They are God's billows, whether they go over us
Hiding His face in smothering spray and foam,
Or, smooth and sparkling, spread a path before us,
And to our haven bear us safely home.

They are God's billows, whether, for our succour,
He walks across them, stilling all our fear,
Or to our cry there comes nor aid nor answer,
And in the lonely silence none is near.

They are God's billows, whether we are toiling
Through tempest-driven waves that never cease,
While deep to deep with clamor loud is calling,
Or at His word they hush themselves in peace.

They are God's billows, whether He divides them,
Making us walk dry shod where seas had flowed,
Or lets tumultuous breakers surge about us
Rushing unchecked across our only road.

They are God's billows, and He brings us through them;
So has He promised, so His love will do;
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding,
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through.

Annie Johnson Flint

Psalm 42:7-8 and 11 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life... Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Not Down, But Through

 

"When Thou passest through the waters,"

Deep the waves may be and cold,

But Jehovah is our refuge,

And his promise is our hold;

For the Lord himself has said it,

He, the faithful God and true;

"When you come to the waters

You will not go down, but through."

Seas of sorrow, Seas of trial,

Bitter anguish, fiercest pain,

Rolling surges of temptation

Sweeping over heart and brain...

They will never overflow us

For we know His work is true;

All His waves and all His billows

He will lead us safely through.

Threatening breakers of destruction,

Doubt's insidious undertow,

Will not sink us, will not drag us

Out to ocean depths of woe;

For His promise will sustain us,

Praise the Lord, whose word is true!

We will not go down, or under,

For He says, "You will pass through."

Annie Johnson Flint

Isaiah 43:2-4 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour...