This Is Not a Test
(Psalm 121:1-2)
It isn’t that the help
Comes from the hills
But that it comes
From God
It might come from the
Hills, or it might come
From the valley
Or the desert or the
Outskirts of the city or
Fallow farmland
It might come from Rahab
Or from Zipporah
Or from Ruth
It might come from
All expected places
Or from surprises,
Say,
Balaam’s donkey
Don’t box in the help
From God
There’s no container,
Anyway
Let it flow like Micah
And all salient prophecy
Trust, now that’s the
Hard part
When there is no formula
Beyond a prayer
Or looking up in hope
C L Couch
Photo by David Monje on Unsplash
May 24, 2020 at 7:42 pm
I love this, Christopher. For sure, I believe God comes to help, is always there to help, in the most unexpected and surprising places. I especially love the end, “there is no formula beyond a prayer, or looking up in hope.” Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. 🙂
May 24, 2020 at 11:56 pm
Thank you, Cathy. If I were better at focusing, I’d probably sense and understand how small as well as how large God’s presence in things might be. I guess tomorrow’s observance of the holiday will go strangely as it has to, but I hope it is a very good day for you and yours.
May 27, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Thanks, Christopher. It was a very quiet Memorial Day. I hope yours was enjoyable. 🙂
May 27, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Actually, I’d not been sleeping and so slept through much of Memorial Day. It was thankfully quiet enough to do so.
May 26, 2020 at 12:13 pm
This spoke to me so much, brother. Current times are hard and we should, indeed, cling harder to His goodness.
“Don’t box in the help
From God”
Amen!
May 27, 2020 at 8:57 pm
I’m happy, sister, that you engaged with the poem. We should draw close to God, as God is there for us. Our expectations might not be met in what we think God should do, but ultimately God astounds our expectations with perfect goodness and love.
June 1, 2020 at 8:49 am
amen to that!
August 20, 2020 at 4:37 am
Beautifully written! Enjoyed reading every word! Amen!
August 20, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Thank you! I’m happy you enjoyed the poem!