Peace in His Presence

I turn my face from God

at the times when I need Him most.

"Come back my child,"  He whispers

"I am still your heavenly host."

"How can He still love me," I wonder

"After I have abandoned Him."

"I rescue the lost," He answers

"I can make the drowning man swim."

"I can teach you to soar like the eagle," He says

"If only you will ask."

"My life is so filled with sin," I think

Facing Him is too daunting a task."

"But those sins are already forgiven,"  He pleads

"They were paid for by Jesus my son.

His life for yours was a fair trade for Me

And your battle is already won."

A glimmer of hope fills my being,

but it falters and the flame slowly dies.

"I am completely unworthy," I cry

"I traded You for my earthly ties..."

"I was not yours to trade,"  He says,

"You deceived yourself in thinking so.

I am always right here waiting for you

To lift you and carry your load."

Once again hope glimmers and flickers

I am tired of all these despairs

I long for peace in my being

Peace from worries, and fears, and cares.

"Just ask," my God gently whispers

"It is all here just waiting for you.

I can show you the door to the blessings

But you must take heart and step through."

"Inside there is joy in the spirit

There are treasures like those of a king

There is comfort, and peace, and wholeness

All this to you will I bring."

"I long to give you these blessings

I have patiently waited for you.

Enter the doorway my child,

Take courage, and boldly step through!"

At last despair overwhelms me

There is nothing left I can try

"Give your load to Me," He whispers

"Without it you know you can fly."

I wait until there is nowhere else,

No place left to turn from harms

At last I look to the Father

and gently fall into His arms.

His peace flows through my body

All my worry withers and dies

"Why don't I turn to you sooner?" I cry

As He soothingly wipes my eyes.

"You will not have to turn to Me,

If you never turn away.

I want you to have My blessings

Right now and every day."

"I can hold you when you are weary,

Lift you high to heighten your joys.

Cheer you when you feel darkness

And guard you from Satan's ploys."

"Guard yourself in the good times

When distraction can easily come

And turn to Me first in the bad times

And remember where you came from."

"Your home is here with your Father,

in heaven I've readied your place

So keep your eye always upon me

And together we'll win the race."

So I vow to be ever vigilant

To keep focus always on God

If I constantly ask for His presence

On Satan's delusions we'll trod.

I still fear sins distractions

That tempt me while I'm in this place

But knowing God's just waiting for me

Conquers fear with His saving grace.

My heart is never higher

Than when it's in the Savior's care

If I'm lost point me in His direction

And together we'll find our peace there...

Rick Koen  8/2001