“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10
A thunderhead ominous loomed up ahead,
Threatening, advancing its menace and dread
Huge and foreboding
All confidence imploding
Will I quake in fear of its ominous tread?
Over my shoulder and back to the right,
Another stands sentry, us both in Its sight
Aloof and quite distant
Yet keen and persistent
Constantly watching and ready to fight
Unsure where to fix my heart and my eye,
The front storm plods closer and dares me defy
“Give in!” he taunts
“I’ll win!” he vaunts
But I know the One who waits ready, and nigh.
I turn to behold Him whose limitless power
Set earth, moon in motion, designed every flower
He with a breath
Can speak life or death
The enemy He’ll vanquish in plan, way, and hour
For my Savior bore the worst storm on the cross
And for my soul’s gain took on pain, wrath, and loss
Now I can live free
Facing hell’s enemy
With certainty sure, I’m now shed of fright’s dross
I’ll keep moving forward front-facing my foe
Determined and trusting and steady I go
As doubts dart and scatter
Satan’s taunts do not matter
Because God’s assured me where he’s doomed to go.
Yet why do I shutter when storms toss and swell?
What causes fretting and fear at their knell?
With spit, snarl, and sniping
They’ll never stop griping
But God’s sure defeat will end all things well
When tempted to worry as Satan looms threatening
Will I choose faith or anxious unsettling?
His word will not fail
His strength will prevail
And I can claim all of His promises my reckoning
O Lord ground me ever in Your sovereign might
That one day will vanquish all storms in Your sight
As I face the tempests
Dark, near, and relentless
Let me remember my chief Hope and Light.
I choose the Supreme One to give endless praise
His triumph I’ll trust, my voice and hands raise
Because His win I know,
Forever I’ll bestow
Before His righteous throne
the glorious victory crown
With word and work and ardor
His renown and splendor
His song I’ll sing on throughout all of my days
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans 16:20
Amen.
As the rain and snow 