God Meant It Unto Good
I was watching all the faces in the little country church,
When the Lord gave me a vision, like a dream
And I saw beloved children, in a different sort of light;
The sweetest people I had ever seen.
There was Martha, in her proper place;
With Jenny right beside.
There was Jimmy holding tightly to
That one to be his bride.
There was Becky looking older,
Now that kids had left her home,
And Jacob, who had suffered much,
With all his brittle bones.
And, I saw, within their bodies,
Different stones that looked so black;
A hand with hammer reaching out
To strike and bring attack.
But, the Lord’s hand reached out firmly,
Stayed the hammer in that hand
That had so desired to hurt them.
Then the Lord began.
He gently chipped away the rock
(So cold and hard, and dull)
Until, at last, a living brilliance
Began to shine out on us all.
Well, the black old rock that threatened
Had been changed by Master strokes
And the diamond, that was hidden,
Sparkled even as He spoke.
My sight was then directed
To a flame that promised death.
The devil had it going well,
Then God stepped in the path.
He wrapped His child in armor
And He put that fire out.
He shielded from each fiery dart.
I wanted just to shout!
For, when the armor opened up
And Jacob stepped out smiling,
I saw a soldier (strong and true):
All his silver shining.
One by one, I saw the enemy
Contending for our souls;
Flinging every evil thing at us
To bring about his goals.
But, God had such a twinkle,
As He stepped into the line of fire,
And gave His precious children
Their one heart’s deep desire ..
Which was to be like Jesus,
Just to keep our faith real strong,
To hold as precious works of love
That we can build upon!
I saw the hurts, on every side,
Come stinging, piercing, burning -
To persecute, destroy those precious saints.
But, as God intervened
The evil mark of Satan’s cunning,
Was tempered by the Lord’s own hand
And brought out objects that were stunning!
Strength and Patience, Love and Hope,
Faith developed with a Zest to cope;
Faithfulness I’d never seen before;
Enough to reach Heaven’s shore!
Until, at last, that little church was full
Of gold and silver - precious jewels - beauty rare -
In the hearts of all God’s children
Who stood there.
O, help us to remember, Lord,
What Satan deemed as loss,
Our Savior changed forever
Upon a rugged cross!
The beauty that the Lord brings forth
Can’t be measured out in time,
But will last for all eternity -
It will shine, and shine, and shine!
© 2004 by Joan Clifton Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com
"You meant it unto evil,
but God meant it unto good."
Ge. 50:20
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