Of Painful Joy or Of Boundless Love

Ps. 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 1 Pet.1:6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,.. Whether on faith's mountaintopor in the dark, lonely valleythe incomprehensible, steadfast love of God abidesto minister to body and soul's need This is a poem I am still in the process of learning... through deep disappointments and divine epiphanies 🙏 There is no limit to the love of GodIts height and depth thought cannot comprehendWhether beneath the guerdon of its rodOr in a garden where soft breezes wendHis love cannot be measured or containedNor with ingenious eloquence explained The love of God is beyond reckoningHe knows the heart of man is vile indeedThe hub of prideful Fancy’s beckoningLeft unbroken, would choke faith’s mustard seedSo, lest we covet what we cannot keepFaith’s Great Perfecter runs love’s plowshares deep …with piercing love, He works for our goodAh, pray for faith to see beyond the partThat is often sadly misunderstoodWhile He prepares the test-plots of the heartUntil faith’s finely-tilled furrows are sownWith seed that grows for His glory alone We are the sheep of His pasture. He tendsThe welfare of His flock with rod and staffHe rescues, rebukes, comforts and defendsNo cost too great to work on our behalfBecause the love of the Good Shepherd knowsThe dire danger of wolves in sheep’s clothes The love of God produces painful joysFor He too faced the Tempter’s crafty charmsA shrewd maneuverer of deadly ploysTo blind us to love’s everlasting armsTo draw us from His word that girds and feedsThus, with both rod and staff, love intercedes Then, for a season, if need be, love grievesThe proving of faith’s shield to quench sin’s dartsUntil at last with patience, God achievesHis joy complete, only His love impartsAs the heart yields He overflows its sodWith bounty from the boundless love of God © Janet Martin