Sorrow's Silver Lining

Lam.3:31-33 NIVFor no one is cast off by the Lord forever.32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,so great is his unfailing love.33 For he does not willingly bring afflictionor grief to anyone. ***Some sorrow-crosses are borne on backs,and are easy to recognize,some are borne in hearts and soulsknown fully, only to God's eyesThis life, full of sorrow-inducing careIs weathered best, tethered to prayerBecause wherever/whatever the cross may beNone are too hidden for God to seeNo matter what hurt has fashioned its frameHealing is found as hope trusts in His Name *** Isa.40:31 NIV...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Sorrow can be a plumbless pitWhere worship could wither awayOr, it can be the key to fitThe bearer of its cross to prayTo help faith’s posture learn to leanCompletely on God’s perfect willTo guide through gates to pastures greenTo lead us beside waters stillAnd drink from Living Streams, our fill …where, though Evidence of things seenMay fill our Cup of CircumstanceWith sorrow’s bitter go-betweenVexing hope’s perplexing substanceHe shepherds and restores our soulsHe leads in paths of righteousnessAnd sanctifies self-seeking goalsWith a more Calvary-like ‘yes’As we cling to His promises Sorrow could drown hope in sad tearsAnd blind us to ‘joy set before’And choke us with a noose of yearsWhere Yester’s futile shadows roarOr sorrow can invite us toCome unto He who gives us restTo taste His comfort, kind and trueFor He bore sorrow’s greatest testThus understands our sorrows best Ah, here sorrow dons eagle’s wingsThough grief may hound time's brief sojournHope's silver lining gleams; joy singsLike a bird sensing Morn’s returnThe valley of death’s shadow grantsThe Shepherd's rod and staff to cheerThe Cup of bitter CircumstanceWhile Heaven’s gate/wait is drawing nearThe hour of faith’s final tear © Janet Martin Psalm 23 NKJV The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not []want.2 He makes me to lie down in []green pastures;He leads me beside the []still waters.3 He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will []dwell in the house of the Lord[]Forever.