I stood before the Lord with all my questions and demands—
I thought He should explain to me the workings of His hands.
I felt I had a right to know where every path would end
And what would lie ahead for me beyond each hill and bend.
I wanted Him to give me peace by telling me the “why”
Of troubles that I faced and joys that seemed to pass me by.
I also didn’t think it fair, and clearly told Him so,
That others walked in pleasant paths where my feet could not go.
He listened very patiently until my speech was through,
Then gently said, “Now let Me ask some simple things of you:
If you could see ahead, and know each joy and trial you’d face,
Would you possess the grace and strength, the future to embrace?
“If I should tell you all, from the beginning to the end,
What fraction could your finite wisdom truly comprehend?
And if the reasons for My acts before you were displayed,
How would you qualify to judge the choices I have made?
“If you could redirect the pow’r of Providence divine,
Would you prefer to rest upon your wisdom more than Mine?
If what I owe, against your debts to Me, we should compare,
What would you place upon your side to prove I’ve not been fair?”
My shame and sorrow grew with every searching word He said.
With burning heart, I dropped upon my knees and bowed my head.
My proud, complaining heart by awe and gratitude was stilled,
And as I saw His love for me, my heart with trust was filled.
So now I kneel before the Lord, receiving His command.
I need not see what lies ahead; I need not understand.
Wherever I may go, whatever things in life I face,
There’s not a chance my needs will overdraw His boundless grace!
Nor is there any circumstance in which I cannot prove
The wonder of His all-sufficient wisdom, power, and love.
My joy can now be full in any circumstance, you see—
For all that I desire is that my Lord be seen in me!
Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. --Isaiah 40:27-31
And they that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. --Psalm 9:10
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. –Jeremiah 9:23-24
