Even if you live with unrelenting pain, God is in the house. Jesus can give you brave and courageous songs to sing through the pain.
Get a free download of Amy Carmichael's poem here.
SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. We all know that Joni loves a good hymn like this modern one by the Gettys. Be blessed as she sings it now:
(Joni sings:)
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
Nailed to the cross of wood
‘Tis the power of the cross, Christ became sin for us
Took the blame; bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the Cross
JONI: And here’s the poem that I love: “Thy servant, Lord, hath nothing in the house. Not even one small pot of common oil. For he who never cometh but to spoil, Hath raided my poor house again, and again. That ruthless strong man armed, whom men call pain. I thought that I had courage in the house, And patience to be quiet and endure, And sometimes happy songs, but now I am sure, Thy servant truly hath not anything, And see, my songbird hath a broken wing. [And then Jesus speaks]: My servant, I have come into the house – I who know Pain’s extremity so well; That there can never be the need to tell, his power to make the flesh and spirit quail. Have I not felt the scourge, the thorn, the nail? And I, his Conqueror, I am in the house. Let not your heart be troubled, do not fear. Why shouldst thou, child of Mine, if I am here? My touch will heal thy songbird’s broken wing, And he shall have a braver song to sing.”
That was written by one of my favorite poets, Amy Carmichael. She was a missionary to India. She suffered daily with chronic pain. The last 13 years of her time on the mission field were spent in bed. And from that altar of affliction, she wrote the poem I just shared. Not long ago I shared it with my Pain Pals, it’s about 35 or so people that I pray for who live with intractable pain. For I wanted them to remember – I want all of us to remember – that even if we live with unrelenting pain, God is in the house. Let not your heart be troubled, for Jesus, the King of Pain can give us braver, more courageous songs to sing. And the hymn I sang a moment ago is, indeed, a brave and courageous song.
You know, it’s National Poetry Month, and I just bet you have a favorite poem that inspires you. Something that has encouraged you, to often quote it to yourself, and I'm the same way. I find that poetry touches my heart like nothing else especially when I feel discouraged.
SHAUNA: And friend, if you’re feeling discouraged, please go to joniradio.org where you’ll find this program and countless others to lift your spirits and bless your heart. You can download a copy of this beautiful poem on pain that Amy Carmichael composed. Because if you deal with pain, keep that poem tucked in your Bible, friend. Recite it often as a reminder that God is in the house. Go to joniradio.org today!
© Joni and Friends