Friday, October 31, 2008

Utter weakness

" O LORD, all my longing is before you. my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes-it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off. Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long. But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes. But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O LORD my God, who will answer. For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!' For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good. Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O LORD, my salvation!" Psalm 38:9-22 (emphasis mine)

Valley of Vision page 188 titled "Weakness"

O Spirit of God,
Help my infirmities; When I am pressed down with a load of sorrow, perplexed and knowing not what to do, slandered and persecuted, made to feel the weight of the cross, help me, I pray thee. If thou seest in me any wrong thing encouraged, any evil desire cherished, any delight that is not thy delight, any habit that grieves thee, any nest of sin in my heart, then grant me the kiss of thy forgiveness, and teach my feet to walk the way of thy commandments. Deliver me from carking care, and make me a happy, holy person; Help me to walk the separated life with firm and brave step, and to wrestle successfully against weakness; Teach me to laud, adore, and magnify thee, with the music of heaven, and make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to thee. I do not crouch at thy feet as a slave before a tyrant, but exult before thee as a son with a father. Give me power to live as thy child in all of my actions, and to exercise sonship by conquering self. Preserve me from the intoxication that comes of prosperity; Sober me when I am glad with a joy that comes not from thee. Lead me safely on to the eternal kingdom, not asking whether the road be rough or smooth. I request only to see the face of Him I love, to be content with bread to eat, with ramient to put on, if I can be brought to thy house in peace. (emphasis mine)

1 comment:

Steph said...

Stop it! OMG! I JUST read this Valley of Vision the other day! I'll have to check my journal and see which day...it very well could've been friday...or thursday. How cool! =) I love you!