When darkness wells
around me, I covet
and I grieve;
its serpent, cool and cunning,
vies to poison what I believe.
Dreams fall by the wayside,
like mists that dissipate.
And lust consumes
while anger fumes
to jeopardize my fate.
Wishes are like vapors
that vanish in the heat.
And trust, it wanes,
as trouble remains.
So darkness comes to take a seat…
…beside me in my mourning,
coiled up and poised to strike—
like a lion to devour
the last of my power
as fear mounts and worries spike.
Darkness jeers at all my struggles.
It taunts me in my sorrow.
It scoffs and lies
but I realize
there’s hope
yet for tomorrow.
Because when all is said and done
and sands drain down through the glass
of each tired hour
I will not cower
for I know, this too, will pass.
For what is sadness
and its worth?
What does worldly pity gain me?
But vanity
of the idol, Self,
and the sin of it that stains me.
As for the goading darkness
and all its grim refrain,
I’ll turn from the pain it’s sent..
so as not to dwell
in its brooding hell
and to my God I will repent.
The flesh that craves
can’t own me.
From it I will abstain;
and seek
the Light
that gives new sight,
knowing faith’s not been in vain.
For every stinging sore that festers
in this scorching season
there is purpose for it all—
a plan,
a Way,
a reason.
I’ll not be tossed by waves.
Of false doctrines, I’ll beware.
Hope has become an anchor
of my soul, so I cannot despair.
My joy remains full,
as pure as white wool
of the Lamb
I love so dear.
And I’m undeterred
for waters are stirred
by an angel of the LORD,
so near.
Though darkness vies
and always tries,
like Peter—as wheat to sift;
it cannot dissuade
the Light that pervades
from the grace of God’s free gift!
References from the Holy Bible:
Line 2 – Exodus 20:17
Line 4 – Genesis 3:1
Line 8 – Colossians 3:5-9
Line 9 – James 1:18-20
Line 16 – Matthew 5:4
Line 18 – 1 Peter 5:8
Line 19 – 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10
Line 25 – Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 15:13
Line 34 – 2nd Corinthians 7:10
Line 35 – Ecclesiastes 1:2
Line 36 – Exodus 20:4-5
Line 47 – Matthew 7:7-8
Line 48 – John 8:12
Line 49 – John 9:13-25
Line 52 – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Line 53 – Romans 8:28
Line 54 – Proverbs 16:3
Line 55 – John 14:6
Line 57 – Ephesians 4:11-14
Line 59 – Hebrews 6:19-20
Line 61 – John 15:11
Line 62 – Isaiah 1:18
Line 63 – John 1:29
Line 67 – John 5:3-8
Line 68 – James 4:8-10
Line 71 – Luke 22:31-32
Line 73 – John 1:5
Line 74 – Romans 3:24