The road may be weary,
the way steep and long,
the night dark and dreary,
but God gives a song.
His hand will not leave you,
though heavy it be;
His plan will not grieve you,
though you cannot see.

When caught in affliction,
you feel only pain;
but know that the friction
will be to your gain.
His mercies are tender,
affliction’s His tool,
His grace He’ll remember
when smooth is His jewel.

“I’ll never forsake you.
This pain will not break you,
for I will remake you
for unending joy.
My promise is faithful,
though now it is painful;
no power can trample
My covenant love.”

Remember your Father—
His promise is love.

---

Based on Psalm 119, with a portion borrowed from a song that has grown dear to me, this poem focuses on the fact that God is always working in our lives. Sometimes that work produces pain, but always it produces good.

Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath quickened me. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word. I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.

Psalm 119:49-50, 67, 75, 71

The final verse and ending tag come directly from “I’ll Never Forsake You,” by David L. Ward (Copyright © 2011 ThousandTongues.org), but verses 1 and 2 are my own. Mr. Ward’s song is loosely based on a hymn titled “O Zion, Afflicted” by John Roberts (1822-1877).

Photo courtesy of mojtaba mosayebzadeh on Unsplash