235. Longing for Solitude

27.8.1989.

I sighed and longed for solitude;
   for time to be alone.
I yearned for time to think and pray;
   for quietness I'd known.
I snatched some moments here and there,
   but they were not enough.
Yet in my longing for more time
   I heard Your soft rebuff.

Somewhere amidst my longing
   I slipped to selfishness;
And when I had the chance to serve
   there was unwillingness.
You showed me that those things that make
   one sigh for solitude
Can be used for a greater good
   to mold my attitude.

Those times are chances to deny;
   be freed from more of self.
The longings in themselves are good,
   but I was full of self.
I revel in the times You give
   to be alone with You.
When it's not there I'll not protest,
but rest in what You'll do.

234. Filled to Overflowing

21.8.1989. Plomin

I caught myself envisioning
   how my life could be full.
I pictured myself somewhere else,
   with some different people.
But then I realized how wrong
   my thinking had become.
My Lord will fill me where I am;
   that thought was so welcome.

From fullness it's a joy to give;
   to love a natural thing
A life that's full will overflow
   without inward wrestling.
You fill me here right in this place,
   and in this circumstance.
My needs are met in You alone;
   my heart now wants to dance.

233. His Hand At Work

19.8.1989.

All that Thy hand has done in us
   to bring us to this place
I've prayed that more would be with us
   to join us in the race.
But, oh the love that Thou hast shown,
   and, oh the wonders seen,
The disappointment can't remain
   when drenched in loving streams.

Thy hand has not failed even once
   to do all of Thy will,
So I will watch Thy hand at work
   and praise Thy loving skill.
Thy plan will not be limited
   though there are few of them
One day there will be multitudes
   all praising Thee. Amen.

232. Grace Sufficient

18.8.1989. (Heb 13:20-21) Plomin

Every grace that I may need
   to fully do His will
He promised He will give to me;
   equip me further still,
Producing in me all those things
   which will truly please,
And work in me through Jesus Christ,
   to Whom all glory be.

My God of peace, my Shepherd great,
   how much I need that grace.
My heart is calmed to hear the words
   You've promised every place
That You'll provide all I may need;
   I'm feeling needy now.
I pray Your grace for every hour
   to meet what You allow.

231. Broken Chains

14. 8. 1989.

I look down at the chains that bound
   all broken at my feet;
Their power lost, heaped on the ground;
   the liberation's sweet.
I'd opened up a foothold and
   the enemy had wound
His chains around my feet, my hands,
   and pulled me down and down.

No more a prisoner, I'm free!
My soul shouts of His victory.

I step out of the heap of chains
   and kneel before my King.
My Sovereign is the One Who reigns;
   He's Lord of everything.
He pointed out the chains that bound,
   and by His power they fell.
In Him is where my victory's found;
   He breaks the power of hell.

No more a prisoner, I'm free!
My soul shouts of His victory.