Mercy Storms

There is mercy in wrath
And there's love in pain
Grace dwells in sorrow
Sunshine in rain

Is anger the opposite of love
When sent down from His throne?
True judgment only comes
When God leaves us all alone

We do not fear aright
When we shrink away from Him
His mercy rides the tempest
And sweeps away our sin



This poem (written last night at the Denton Artists Guild meeting) was inspired by the book of Jonah and by Pastor Beau Hughes, who has been walking with us through Jonah. It has been real in my life and confirmed in Jonah 1-2 that God's mercy is not often manifested in peace and happiness. Due to our blindness and pride, God will lovingly "wreck shop" in our lives to get our attention and reveal what it is that is keeping us from Him. Too often people see God's judgment and wrath in such a situation. Certainly I have heard many a teaching about how Jonah disobeyed and look out, here comes God with the big stick to punish him for his rebellion. But in reality it is the storms in my life that shake me out of apathy, bring me to my knees and get me back in God's will. Let's be brave and not wish for a placid, happy (and boring) life, but let's ask God for all the storms we need for our good and His glory.