My heart was burdened inside my chest,
the fire from old left mere embers instead.
The weight of glory left my soul,
it is stead lay the burdens of this life.
In my anger I cried out,
in my disdain I screamed to God.
Why doth thou forsake me?
Were the words running in my head.
Mouth could only utter, 'Why?'
My strength has left me,
my joy a mere memory before me.
Yet God you brought me here,
why now do you change me?
In my comfort I was happy,
and satisfied with the work of my hand.
In my stretching I was grateful,
as my character was changed and I grew.
But Lord what is this pain?
I have known growth without it before.
My heart is weighted,
My eyes wet with tears.
Will you not speak?
Will you not give relief to your beloved?
Am I to be cast out like Israel?
To wander in the desert?
In Your faithfulness you answer me,
not in words, or fire, or smoke.
In Your gentle heart, you respond,
not in the wind, the rain, or the earth shakes.
Oh Lord Your letters of love,
How they comfort my soul;
Bringing this heart hope,
and satisfying the deepest ache.
Your love letter to me,
66 books to discover your words.
How foolish I was
to think I knew you!
Your nature is true,
your anger is just.
Your love is unending,
and I am left humble.
Jeremiah felt the longings,
the love of his God and his people.
His heart broke for your beloved,
as he wrote,
"the fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back,
until he fully accomplishes the purposes
of His heart."
Yet in your judgement,
You faithfully spoke,"The time is coming,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers
when I took them by hand to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was their Beloved....
I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God
and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbour,
or a man his brothers saying,
'Know the Lord,'
because they will know me."
Oh Lord, if Jeremiah only knew!
If the prophets of old, could have seen!
Your sacrifice, Your offering to us...
For You sent Your Son to earth.
In our sin and folly,
You did not forget us.
Our beloved came to save,
Our Lord redeemed us all.
If we merely look upon His face,
we are saved from the mire of our souls.
If we touch the edge of His cloak,
we are healed from our many afflictions.
I believe, oh Lord, help my unbelief!
In my weakness pick me up,
dust off my feet and send me along.
In my weakness, You are strong.
In my indiscretion, You are faithful.
In my trembling, You are wise and stand.
Your offering is a sweet aroma to the heavens.
Forgive my foolish heart!
Have mercy on my silly soul.
In my weakness I doubted You,
in my hurt I rejected Your comfort.
Let Your love letters speak to me again.
Revive Your Word in my soul,
let me constantly meditate on Your words.
For I am nothing without You.
Let me be the salt and light.
At whatever the cost,
let me offering me a sweet aroma.
Whether it be fire, or grain,
accept my offering, my heart.
I am humbled before Thee.
In my angst Your face seemed hidden.
Yet here You are faithful.
Give me strength to be stretched,
let my heart be steadfast.
Let me speak Your word;
to the masses or the single
let Your words ring through mine.
If I have nothing left,
I have You.
I give my will in sweet surrender,
Whatever You want Lord I give.
I am afraid of my words,
and my actions cause trembling.
Will men throw me out?
Like Jeremiah, will I be cast out?
What of men's words?
Of what eternal glory do they hold?
I will stand firm,
Speaking the love of God.
Let my actions speak,
The love story written before time.
Holy Spirit indwell in my places,
as I walk be with me.
Let Your presence be known,
in my work, school and play.
Let my heart hear Your voice,
even as the worlds speak so loud.
If I cause one thing,
let Your people see You.
Let me be an encouragement,
a light in the dark,
salt to the offering,
and God I will give.
I will lay my life down,
for is this not love?
I will turn the other cheek,
and give away my cloak.
I will walk the extra mile,
and not speak ill against my enemy.
I believe Your Word,
as it lives and dwells within me.
Be the Light through me,
today, tomorrow, and forever.
Amen.
Selah.