Persevere Through The Wilderness

I'd like to share this poem to encourage those who have been walking in the wilderness. Recently the Lord assured me of my salvation in Him. I have struggled with doubt for a long time, but he helped me to persevere and was faithful in sustaining me during all of this. It was often very difficult through these years, but it was well worth it. I now know that salvation is for me, and I have a loving Father who will never leave me or forsake me. So, be encouraged to never give up, and keep seeking until you find Him. He is the greatest love of all!

It has been a long time in this fight of faith,
But you, God, sustained me with your beautiful grace.
You have protected me from satisfaction in stuff,
So to pursue and desire you, Lord, you are enough.

What is the point of this life, I would ask?
Surely not to go around trying on masks.
I did that enough, there must be more,
That life was full of sorrow behind every door.

Your cisterns are broken, will you stop digging?
Repent and believe so you'll be forgiven.
Why have we forsaken the Glorious One?
In a sin-filled world with Pagan fun.

Lord, I see it! The sin I committed.
The punishment, God, oh how I fit it.
But like the matrix, I can't go back!
Like a shepherd, you lead me back to the pack.

For so long, I've been stuck in the middle,
On fire at first, but that flame did dwindle.
My motive was wrong, jump on the wagon,
I wanted praise, something was lacking.

Yet you guided me to where I was,
Not because of my acts, but because of your love.
For a while, I isolated myself,
Self pity sunk in, I refused any help.

Now that was a scary place to be,
But as always, your grace carried me.
Many more things happened back then,
Having no desire, seemed like no friends.

But Lord, I heard you many times in the past,
I couldn't hang on, the memories did not last.
Kris told me that I need you all the time,
I felt bad asking, like it was a crime.

I didn't know that you wanted this for me,
I do need you all the time, not just a memory.
My desire then was sparked and ignited,
But I struggled with doubt, are we united?

In Chicago I heard the true gospel,
Preached in three parts, by Paul Washer.
After I heard what was the price,
How Jesus was the sacrifice.

With Issac there was a substitution,
But with God's holiness, there is no overlooking.
The provided lamb was to show what's to come,
God's wrath being poured out on his own Son.

Issac was saved, but the lamb was not,
The sacrifice was still needed, have we forgot!
The spotless lamb led to the slaughter,
And then was laid upon the alter.

Do you know what this story starts to depict?
I know what it means, I feel so sick.
When I was at church, I didn't want to confess,
That my sin was the cause of his death.

To think of how he suffered and died,
I could not bear it, I started to cry.
I don't want this. It costs way too much,
What am I leaning on? What is my crutch?

Peter said, "Lord you will never wash my feet!"
Jesus said, "If I don't, sin and death you can't beat."
As I took of the bread,
I just hung my head.

Then the cup poured out for me,
As I held it, I saw my need.
Now I see this part of the story,
Come, Lord Jesus, save me, please hurry.

Jesus did suffer but counted it joy,
That's why he was wrapped in flesh as a boy.
His life was planned, he willingly came,
Then he said, "No doubting, believe in my Name."

I am willing, oh Lord, this is what I desire,
As I drank of the cup, my sins are now covered.
Assurance and peace, I waited so long,
To be loved by the Lord and sing a new song.

The weight now is lifted, I feel so free,
The bible was right, salvation for me!
I have a new hope, my hope is in Christ,
And all that he accomplished with his sacrifice.

Not by my works, I saw how I would boast,
Now led by the Spirit, the Holy Ghost.
The Lord is so faithful, he said persevere,
He has never left me but has always been near.

And as I continue, I will seek after Thee,
Because nothing else, Lord, can satisfy me!
Fight the fight, never grow weary,
Even when it's hard and seems to get scary.

Pray that the Lord will give you rest,
And continue to persevere through the wilderness.