Wednesday, September 12, 2007

These Inward Trials

I asked the Lord that I might grow,
In faith and love and every grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

It was He who taught me thus to pray,
And He I trust has answered prayer.
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request.
And by His love's constraining power,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel,
The hidden evils of my heart.
And let the angry powers of hell,
Assault my soul in every part.

Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed,
Intent to aggravate my woe.
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried.
Will You pursue Your worm to death?"
"This is the way" the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and strength."

"These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set you free;
And break your schemes of earthly joy,
That you may find thy all in Me."
--John Newton

2 comments:

Wayne Leman said...

That's a meaningful poem by John Newton. Thank you for sharing it. Thank you, also, for commenting on the BBB blog. I also have a suffering blog which I invite you to visit. Feel free to email me.

InHim said...

Hi,
Thanks for visiting and mentioning your Wrong Words blog. I need to create a section with links to other blogs.

Better Bibles Blog (BBB) is one of my favorites.
http://englishbibles.blogspot.com/