My Hope and My Stay

I wrote this shortly after the death of my 18 year old cousin in a car wreck. When life deals us a terrible blow it is easy to question the actions of God in our life. My heart was already being affected by the great hymn by William Cowper "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" so this was somewhat inspired by that hymn. No matter what happens in life we must remember that not only is God in control but God is holy. His plan might be hidden from our understanding but His character He has made known unto us. When life is hard when can always say with Cowper "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower."

 Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"

A quiet soul is hard to maintain,
when a sorrowful heart rages with pain.
Yet nothing comes against Your will
now all I pray is "Lord make me still"

Prone to anger and more prone to cry,
then prone to scream and think "why Lord why"
Holding my passion seems hard to do,
when first inclination is to question You.

Can I be still Lord, under such a strain?
when hope is fleeting and faith seems vain?
But to be still is what You command,
and not to doubt Your guiding hand.

Please tell me now Lord, just who are You
that I should know Your word to be true?
And never to doubt a word you say
or to allow my faith to turn away.

You are my God, the all powerful Lord,
the one who creates with simply a word.
The sound of Your voice made the mountains rise
and by Your thoughts the stars fill the skies.

All of creation Your voice does obey.
and You make the sun rise day after day.
Then one stormy night you stood on the seas
speaking a word you brought them to ease.

When finally I decide to consider You
all of my pain starts to slide out of view.
Your majesty shines as bright as the sun
and a simple complaint i can find none.

In unspeakable praise my heart cries "glory!"
Can I ever doubt one so infinitely holy?
Your movement may be in a mysterious way
but you will forever be my hope and my stay.