The Folly of my Patience

I waited patiently for the Lord;

He inclined to me and heard my cry.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction,

out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

and put their trust in the Lord.

I cannot stress the strength of my stubbornness and the subsequent despair and destruction that I often revel in.  I often lay claim to the patience that I perfected in the military; but all too often I am merely waiting patiently for the Lord to bend His will to mine.  Thankfully, I can boast of His faithfulness and His perfect record against my foolishness.  His love and grace tear me out of the destruction I grab hold of and beg to stay part of.  My patience is for me, not for the Lord.  My cry is for my will, not His.  Yet he stands me up, braces me and makes me strong.  He bewilders me His overabundant grace, collapsing my will and making me whole.  Songs leap from my mouth delighting to praise Him; they cannot be contained.

 

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,

to those who go astray after a lie!

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

Your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;

none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

yet they are more than can be told.

Thank you Lord for giving me godly counselors!  Keep me strong, seeking to love you all my days.  Let me not turn to those who find their delight in pride and lead me to do the same.  My tendency is to Your mercy is never ending!  That others could only know it; grant me the strength to shout in joy and proclamation so that all will hear.  Have mercy on those who hate Your will, oh Lord, make them understand their folly and let their suffering in this world be easy.  May all understand that the wages of their sin is death and turn from their sin.