My poem of the week this week is this powerful hymn from John Newton. I find it deeply challenging and instructive. It is a reminder of God’s good purposes in trials and that the ease which I so much crave is not always the way of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Twas 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He\u2019d answer my request;
And by His love\u2019s constraining pow\u2019r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow\u2019rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yea 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
\u201c\u2018Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may\u2019st find thy all in Me.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My poem of the week this week is this powerful hymn from John Newton. I find it deeply challenging and instructive. It is a reminder of God’s good purposes in trials and that the ease which I so much crave is not always the way of life. I asked the Lord that I might growIn …<\/p>\n