Sunday, May 4, 2008

Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul....

This past week has been one of those in which we have experienced a roller coaster of emotions ranging from elation to fear. It is during the times of fear that my heart begins the process of disengagement from the One who loves me more than I can comprehend. I hear of yet another consequence of the Fall, and I once again allow my circumstances to define God. Though I despise it, I allow my heart to become detached from Him and feelings of abandonment take over. I have wrestled with this for quite sometime now, and it is to me, the worst thing on this side of Eternity. I am so thankful for His amazing grace to love and pursue me in the midst of my fear and doubt. He is faithful to minister to my brokenness as only He can. In Worship today we sang a song written by Anne Steele and composed by Kevin Twitt titled, Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul. It practically brought me to tears as I feel like it so beautifully expresses the longing and struggle of my heart to cling to Jesus in the midst of trial. If you are struggling to cling to Him, our only Hope, I pray He may encourage your heart through these words today.


Dear refuge of my weary soul on Thee when sorrows rise.
On Thee when waves of trouble toll, My fainting hope relies.
To Thee I tell each rising grief, For Thou alone canst heal
Thy word can bring a sweet relief For every pain I feel.

But oh! when gloomy doubts prevail, I fear to call Thee mine
The springs of comfort seem to fail, and all my hopes decline.
Yet gracious God where shall I flee? Thou art my only trust
And still my soul would cleave to Thee Thou prostrate in the dust.

Hast Thou not bid me seek thy face, And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of Sovereign grace Be deaf when I complain?
No still the ear of Sovereign grace, Attends the mourner's prayer
Oh may I ever find access, To breath my sorrows there.

Thy mercy seat is open still, Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope, attend thy will, and wait beneath Thy feet
Thy mercy seat is open still, Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I read your most recent entry I am touched by your willingness to share your struggles that most of us have. It is hard sometimes to share with even our closest friends how we long to be closer to God. Sometimes we feel by sharing this with others, they may judge us or condemn us for feeling this way. What we really need is to have someone just listen to us as we pour out our hearts to them. The bible calls us to to slow to anger, slow to speak and quick to listen. My prayer is that you will be able to share your feeling with someone who will be a source of comfort to you during your times of struggle. Finally, I am reminded of Matthew 11:28 ; Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Karen said...

Beth and Dale, i think of you often and will be praying that in the midst of life and this season that He has called you to that you will cling to the cross and that He will give you the strength to do that which you cannot do in and of yourself. love you guys....