After the storm
when skies are clear
while blue jays sing
and drown out fear…
I rest
under green canopies
of sunlit branches, galore—
in sweet speckled shade
with dew’s cascade
that ripens nature’s floor.
There is tranquility,
a calm of gentle winds
that I bask in
apart from sin
in this moment that Christ lends.
After the storm
I see
God’s grace in it,
that was hidden from me…
when in
the face of it.
For lightning struck and thunder roared,
as if all joy was left to die.
And darkness reigned
through grim refrain,
and tears poured from Heaven’s cry.
Now I thank God for this stillness,
the blue jay’s song and shade and dew—
but do I think to thank him,
for the storm that he sent, too?
For in the quaking ground
and on the raging seas,
I trembled
at the sound
of judgment on my knees.
And it was in that frightening state
of this availing squall
that I let it wash me
to the rock of ages
and the great wailing wall.
It’s there I was quite stricken…
left weak
and paralyzed—
my sole choice
was to be still;
a sole voice
spoke of his will;
and seeing
such might
that I realized…
he is my faithful comfort,
my ever present help
and hope.
He is the rod,
my unfailing God,
whose dominion’s beyond all scope.
So thank God for the quiet,
the stillness, and the calm…
that restores our peace;
let faith increase,
just as a healing balm!
But when foreboding skies
threaten to cause harm…
trust God’s will, true,
at work in you;
and thank him for the storm.
References from the Holy Bible
Line 5 – Matthew 11:28
Line 17 – Matthew 13:16
Line 30 – Psalm 135:7
Line 31 – Revelation 6:12; 16:18
Line 33 – Philippians 2:12
Line 38 – Psalm 51:7
Line 39 – Isaiah 26:4
Line 42 – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Line 45 – Psalm 46:10
Line 46 – John 10:27-28
Line 48 – Matthew 13:16
Line 49 – Deuteronomy 10:17
Line 51 – John 14:16-18
Line 52 – Psalm 46:1
Line 53 – Psalm 71:5, Romans 13:15
Line 54 – Psalm 23:4
Line 55 – 1 Corinthians 13:8
Line 56 – Psalm 72:8, Daniel 7:13-14
Line 61 – Jeremiah 8:22
Line 66 – 1 Thessalonians 5:18