Musings on Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I felt You near
and know Your Spirit
brought the words of Life to
refresh my own...

I knew the encouragement of Your promise...
...of joy coming in the morning
though I could not see the evidence of redemption
in circumstance...

Within me, I wanted to hand You the wounds
and the tears,
but did not know if I could relinquish them in my own strength...

"Teach me to let go, Lord"
I offered up through a veil of weeping...
...and I knew there was noone else like You.

Teach me how to "taste and see" again...
renew my hunger for Your nearness
while the desert looms with arid dreams...

Take from me the broken dreams and
restore to me the hope lost from faded choices...
restore to me, Lord, that which the locusts have eaten...

...so that You may be glorified...

I see in my heart
the desolation chosen over gardens of life,
and the sorrow grown from the thriving tares...
You redeem Your servants, Lord...
and none will perish who take refuge in You...

So now I cleave to You,
and long for your presence...
Clear the tares from the harvest wheat...
purifying me from the sin I've harbored...

Renew my hope...