Chastening

I once wandered far from the light,
I cared not for truth or right,
     When first I did begin
     To live my life in sin
I removed Him from my sight.

Of my sin I was aware,
From my guilt I had no care,
     Myself I lived to please…
     For pleasure and for ease…
That burden no one would share.

I could have turned to the Lord,
And obeyed His Blessed Word,
     I knew what should be done
     To please His Holy Son…
And I my own sin deplored.

I wept many lonely tears,
Endured many empty years,
     His chastening I felt,
     Still my heart did not melt;
Then lived I with mighty fears.

I fell beneath the great weight
Of guilt that would not abate;
     I with His word did clash,
     I felt His awful lash,
And prayed it was not too late!

My lashing, mighty indeed,
Was the thing that I did need:
     For in it I awoke
     And heard the words He spoke,
And from my sins I was freed!

H. L. Gradowith
(Date unknown)

NOTE:  This was originally written for my comments on Psalm 39, and perhaps reading that psalm will help the reader of this poem to appreciate the message even more.  Tim

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