The Bible, especially the Psalms, inspires most of my poems.
The Bible does not hide from us the “ugly” sides of men. Every story is detailed and well-captured for our example and our warning. Many men and women through the bible faced situations that shook their faith and they had to ask the Lord to help their unbelief. From them, we learn how to live a life of faith. We learn to praise God as we meditate on his word. We also learn to believe when the going gets tough.
David, we realise, teaches us to praise the Lord through every season. We also see how often his faith was shaken. He didn’t cover his distress with piles of niceties. David never put on a false act in the presence of the Lord. He cried out in his distress and God came to his rescue.
Another person is Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet. His tears weren’t just for personal pain, even though there were times he wept from a place of feeling ridiculed and misunderstood. God didn’t console Jeremiah every time he lamented. Sometimes the Lord gave instructions to help him navigate through the difficulties. Sometimes, his responses seemed tougher or perhaps vague. Other times, God rebuked him (Jeremiah 12:5). Those rebukes helped to strengthen the prophet to see as God sees.
Don’t get me wrong. God’s word assures and comforts. However, there are times when God shakes us out of laxity and complacency. Some of the shaking elevates us onto more spiritual responsibilities and heights. We just need to keep our eyes fixed on him always. This will help us grasp how he guides and influences our lives.
I hope the poem, “Shaken” blesses your heart.
***
Feet slipping, agitated
Sweat thick as wax, layers on my brows—thick calluses in my palms
the curtains over my head
never parting or so it seems as hard as rock
Yahweh! I cry, my voice piercing through the hills
Help my unbelief. Tear down these rocks,
through layers upon layers of helplessly thick, waxy fear in my heart.
Cut through me, that I may see by faith
Father of all comfort,
I still believe, though the road be rough, the path be slippery
I see by faith; hear you by faith and know your word works
Thank you, Lord. You are more than able and at work.
© 2024 Enobong O’wunmi.
