HE'S HELPING ME

One day not too long ago I noticed that I was distracted and overly concerned about a couple of situations I was facing. Answers eluded me and it felt like the responsibility was on my shoulders.

I realized I was in the dark and the load was too heavy for me. Some of my friends were in similar situations and the way out for them certainly wasn't clear. As I was reading and praying three different sources helped. One was a sentence in a book called Greater Than Riches by John White. It read, "He (God) has always been with you when he has afflicted you. He has considered every angle, taken every factor into account."

Oh yes. I forgot. It didn't just happen that I found myself here! Then in Isaiah 50:7,10 I read "For the Lord God helps me, therefore I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God." A good plan for dark days.

Then I remembered this poem David had used in his 23rd Psalm book and I was able to shift my concern into His good hands, with confidence that He was helping me (and my friends) whether that help was apparent or not.

Perhaps He will use the words of this poem, or Scripture or book to give you a perspective that will lighten a load you were never meant to carry or figure out alone. I pray so.

		He's helping me now--this moment,
			Though I may not see it or hear,
		Perhaps by a friend far distant,
			Perhaps by a stranger near,
		
		Perhaps by a spoken message
			Perhaps by the printed word;
		In ways that I know and know not
			I have the help of the Lord.

		He's keeping me now--this moment,
			However I need it most,
		Perhaps by a single angel,
			Perhaps by a mighty host,
		Perhaps by the chain that frets me,
			Or the walls that shut me in;
		In ways that I know or know not
			He keeps me from harm and sin.

		He's guiding me now--this moment,
			In pathways easy or hard,
		Perhaps by a door wide open,
			Perhaps by a door fast barred,

		Perhaps by a joy withholden
			Perhaps by a gladness given;
		In ways that I know and know not,
			He's leading me up to heaven.

		He's using me now--this moment,
			And whether I go or stand,
		Perhaps by a plan accomplished
			Perhaps when he stays my hand,
		Perhaps by a word in season
			Perhaps by a silent prayer;
		In ways that I know and know not,
			His labor of love I share.


			--Annie Johnson Flint

Carolyn Roper
7/95