Saturday, July 16, 2011

Reason #15 - He is a Very Present Help in Trouble


Several months ago, a dear friend of ours lost her unborn baby girl at 7 months pregnant. So many other hard things were going on in her life...and now this. There are times when God may seem so far away. A life falls to pieces, and we're tempted to wonder if God even cares.

At the time, as I thought about her situation, I was absolutely overwhelmed as I realized God's nearness in the midst of her pain. Life is hard. We have an enemy (Satan) here on earth who comes to steal, kill, and to destroy. But oh what a beautiful contrast - "Christ is come to give life, and to give it more abundantly!" And even in the midst of our pain, He has promised us that He will walk through it with us - right by our side. To be a very present help in times of trouble.

I wrote this poem at the time, and was in tears through most of it, as I marveled over God's nearness and care for His children...


A father and mother stand together
Grieving over their loss,
A child they have never known

Has left them at such a high cost.

Their hearts ache together
As they try to say goodbye
But how to find adequate words
When all they can do is cry?

But there is One Who hears pain unspoken
Who understands silent grief
Who knows the agony of each tear
And Who alone, can bring relief.

Their joy is His
Their care is His
Their love is His
More infinite, more deep, more abounding
Complete, never ending – perfect.
He Who holds galaxies in His hands…also holds each tear.
He carries in His arms the children He has LOVED:
The Good Shepherd – Who has laid down His life so the lambs may live.
And it is in these everlasting arms that He cradles their child,
Gently caressing, rocking her to sleep against His breast.

In a world where roses are few
Where thorns and briars abound,
Where clouds often cover the sun
And where pain sets in all around…

Surely our joy is not here!
Surely our hope elsewhere lies.
Surely she has found what we long for one day
The pure joy that no money buys!

What comfort is hers!
What peace –
What delight!
And we rejoice with her.
Though our hearts here grieve
We offer our grief to our Lord
And commit her to the Savior’s care.
Knowing that a child who has grown up in the presence of Jesus is the happiest child that could ever be.”

What could be harder than losing a baby? And yet, this thought came to me...our Father, too, knows the pain of losing a loved One. He too understands the pain of losing His Child. There is no hurt too great to give to Him. There is no pain so piercing that He cannot soothe it. There is no burden so heavy that He cannot carry it for us.

What a God we serve!


Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

I love my Lord, because He my very present help in all my trouble.





1 comment:

  1. That is probably one of the most heartbreaking things that could ever happen for parents. What a beautiful poem, Kate. I cried! The Lord Jesus IS an ever-present help in our trouble. What a BLESSED thing to know. He is right there with us through the most difficult times, and he has experienced the same pain that we have. Wow, what an awesome God.

    There have been two couples that I know who have lost their babies recently. My heart goes out to them! I will be praying for this young couple you spoke of!

    It is so good to look at every trial knowing that this is not all there is. It is especially comforting to know that these little ones are in the arms of Jesus. I think of my own baby sister Susana who went to be with Jesus. I miss that sister who I never knew SO MUCH....but yet knowing that she is in that wonderful place--in which we all eagerly wait to join her--is so comforting!
    When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!!!

    Thank you Jesus for being an ever-present help in our trouble. Thank you for your unfailing love!

    Lydia

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