A Cloud of Sadness Covered Me- A Poem

Throughout the day yesterday and awaking today, I feel a cloud of sadness covering me.  Sadness to see this land that I love so broken, so separated from God.  We that call ourselves Christians have over the past century watched in silence as our nation turned farther and farther from its Godly principles. Caught up in the prosperity of our own lives, we grew content just to live.  Forgetting that God is a just and righteous God who demands the same, because He knows that is the only path to true joy, hope and love.

Judgement must come to save the remnant, just as in the days of Judah when the Babylonians entered and destroyed the land.  God’s people must stand true, willing to die for His Truth to be known.  Just as in the days of Noah it will be in the end.  Are we there?  Is this the end of our nation?  Only God knows.  But as for me, I must stand and shout His Truth from the Mountaintops screaming, “Repent, for the day of the Lord is at hand.”

And though a cloud of sadness cover me, I will shout for joy at the Name of Jesus.  Only in Him can we find true joy, hope, love and peace.   I, like Habakkuk bow before His throne today.

Habakkuk 3

3 God came….His glory covered the heavens,And the earth was full of His praise. 4 His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand,And there His power was hidden.

5 Before Him went pestilence, And fever followed at His feet.6 He stood and measured the earth;  He looked and startled the nations.  And the everlasting mountains were scattered,  The perpetual hills bowed.His ways are everlasting….

8 O Lord, were You displeased with the rivers.   Was Your anger against the rivers?   Was Your wrath against the sea?    That You rode on Your horses.  Your chariots of salvation?  9 Your bow was made quite ready.   Oaths were sworn over Your [b]arrows. Selah

You divided the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw You and trembled.
As the overflowing of the water passed by.
The deep uttered its voice,
And lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation;
At the light of Your arrows they went,
At the shining of Your glittering spear.

Judgement must come

12 You marched through the land in indignation;
You [c]trampled the nations in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For salvation with Your Anointed.
You struck the head from the house of the wicked,
By laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah

14 You thrust through with his own arrows
The head of his villages.
They came out like a whirlwind to scatter me;
Their rejoicing was like feasting on the poor in secret.
15 You walked through the sea with Your horses,
Through the heap of great waters.

16 When I heard, my body trembled;
My lips quivered at the voice;
Rottenness entered my bones;
And I trembled in myself,
That I might rest in the day of trouble.
When he comes up to the people,
He will invade them with his troops.

A Hymn of Faith-When the Cloud of Sadness Covered Me

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 [d]The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

And so it is I wrote today this poem:

A Cloud of Sadness Covered Me

A Cloud of Sadness covered me

As my heart broke. How could this be?

That no one heard their cries, their plea

To give them life and liberty?

These babies sacrificed you see

On Altars of sex, depravity.

I fell to weep down on my knees

To Ask You Lord to hear my pleas.

I recall a nation built by You

Deny You Lord and lose their view

Of all that matters or that’s true

How can it be so very few

Would stand upon Your Solid Rock

Instead the Gospel truth they mock

They pushed You God out of the schools

Nor even teach the Golden rules

Instead they teach our youth to be

A Pride filled “woke” society

Who do not care what’s right or wrong

Joined tight by hate their evil throng

They twist the truth ‘til all believe

The only good is to receive

With heardened hearts and blinded eye

They speak of love and apple pie

Then loot and riot every day

A tantrum bent to get their way

They think their life is all their own

And never bow before Your throne

Destroying all that’s history

Ignoring truth as mystery

So, now Your judgement, it must fall

Awaken Lord, awaken all

My heart is broken, as I pray

I do not know just what to say

Repentant Lord for my own sin

Grateful for Your Grace within

I am so tired, please take me home

And yet, this land I still must roam

Until You call me home one day

I must remain, teach me to pray

Give me the strength to stay the course

And shout your praise until I’m hoarse

So, everyone I meet today

Will hear my voice, will hear me say

My God is still upon His throne

Proclaiming that His truth be known

And if today, He’ll use my voice

I’ll tell the world He is my choice

And if that means I lose my life

Because my words they stir up strife

I still will choose to speak His name

His justice, righteousness proclaim

Unto a world who will not hear

I’ll boldly go without a fear

For He is all I need today

He is the truth, the life, the way

God’s joy is all my heart doth need

As on my knees, for you I plead

I know His plan is perfect still

My body bow beneath His will

I trust Him in the brightest day

And in this darkest night I pray

That He might touch one heart today

Giving them His truth, for this I pray

Concluding Thoughts

Even when a cloud of Sadness Covers You, there is hope.  That hope is found in Jesus.  He is the one who came to pay the price for your sin.    As Christ hung there on the cross a Cloud of Sadness, dark as pitch, covered the whole earth because God turned His back away.  He poured out on His beloved son all the wrath that we deserve, so that all who would repent and believe might be saved.  What about you today?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoyed this poem perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

 

 

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Lode Lagrainge on Unsplash

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Speak Truth! How Long if no one listens?

When no one listens, how long would you continue to speak truth?  Would you continue proclaiming the truth of God’s words.  Isaiah was called by God to warn the people.  Yet, God told him they would not listen. (Isaiah 6) Isaiah asked, “How long, Lord?”  God’s reply “until everything has been brought to waste.”  What?  Until everything has been destroyed, knowing this!  A remnant of true believers will be preserved.  And from them will come the Messiah.

It was more than just the truth that the remnant would be saved. It was the fact that Jesus would come.  That was the hope presented to and from Messiah.    The truth of God spoken by Isaiah was going to one day be proclaimed to the Gentiles as well.  The mystery of the gospel.  Hidden in the past brought to light.  The light of the world came; yet, men choose darkness.

The same could be said of all the prophets of old.  They were commissioned to speak Truth from God and no one listened.  Are we to be like them?

Isaiah 49

Continue reading “Speak Truth! How Long if no one listens?”

2 Pagan Kings, 1 Sovereign God, Dear John Piper

Dear John Piper,

It was with great sorrow that I read your article and feel that you are judging the person God clearly placed in office in 2016.  You may say for bad; but I believe for good.  After all, were it not for his executive order protecting your right to being bold from the pulpit, you might not feel as free to speak?  Guaranteed that will go away if we do not remain vigilant.

For the first time, we have a man who stands up for Godly principles.  Oh, yes much like Peter in the beginning he is a little rough around the edges; but often that is the case with newer Christians (and sometimes older ones as well).  Yes, watching very closely I do believe him to be a Christian who seeks Godly guidance.  Were you aware there is a prayer team in the white house?  Or have you bothered to go and offer counsel to him yourself, sir?

Many of the things you cited as objections were from the distant past.  Have you forgotten the woman at the well?  Or the woman caught in adultery?  Do you sir believe that the blood of Christ cannot cover all our sins? I know better, sir, for I have listened to your sermons for years and unlike many I read the last few paragraphs.  None of us are worthy of salvation, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  So, where does the difference lie?

Where Does Truth Lie?

Continue reading “2 Pagan Kings, 1 Sovereign God, Dear John Piper”

I Am Lord, There is No Other God

I Am Lord, There is No Other God

 

When sorrows, chaos do Surround

And in despair your heart is drowned

Where can you turn in hope of peace

And bid your bitter tears to cease?

 

Although the world cast Him aside

He beckons, calls you to abide

Securely held in arms of Grace

Gazing always on His face

 

And so, it is He calls your name

That you might lay aside your shame

These earthly worries and your pain

Resting assured on this refrain

 

I am the Lord, there is no God besides Me.

Creator of all that you see

So, come to me child and seek my face

I will shower you with joy and grace

 

For only I can fill your heart

With joy beyond all measure

My happiness I will impart

I am your greatest treasure

 

I have sought you with my heart of love

Before you e’er were born

And yet you make so little of

My gifts, and show me scorn

 

My righteousness I must uphold

For justice must be bold

I know how evil will destroy

All hope for you to know my joy

 

And yet, I gave you choice you see

For how else would you know?

The fullness of my Glory

How else would they show?

There is no other way for man

To know the truth of who I am

To choose the light and cast aside

The darkness where he doth abide

 

So now amid this sorrow, pain

When chaos on this earth doth reign

If only you would choose me now

My righteousness I would endow

 

On your behalf, for my dear son

Has paid your price upon the cross

So, Seek me now, I am the One

All else you seek is loss

 

I am the Lord, there is no God besides Me.

Creator of all that you see

So, come my child and seek my face

I will shower you with joy and grace

 

For only I can fill your heart

With joy beyond all measure

My happiness I will impart

I am your greatest treasure

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoyed this poem perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

 

 

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

 

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

 

How to Know Happiness Always In all Things

Last Sunday, Keith Simon from the Crossing Church in Colombia Mo spoke of the truth that Jesus was the happiest person of all and referred to the scripture in Hebrews 1.  Although I have read that many times in the past, it had never struck me as powerfully as it did when he was preaching about it.  Funny how the scripture can be brought alive like that.  So, I do recommend you watching his sermon.  https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/media-feeds/how-you-can-be-sure-youll-never-be-happy-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/ I mean I knew the truth that God is our only source of true happiness.  In Him is fullness of joy.  John Piper preaches Christian Hedonism which is defined as the pursuit of pleasure.  Philosophy of hedonism is defined as the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life.

So how does happiness and the pursuit of pleasure fit in with who we are as Christians? So many would save that is impossible.  After all, are we not to take up our cross daily to follow Jesus?  How can we know happiness while at the same time carrying a cross?  The burdens and sorrows that we face daily refute any hope of happiness.  How do we satisfy our desires and pursue pleasures in a world filled with such trials?  But that is because we are confused by thinking our pleasures and desires can only be fulfilled by worldly pleasures.

The book of Ecclesiastes refutes that idea thoroughly. Solomon wrote, “Vanity of Vanities, all is vanity” when pursuing every form of worldly pleasure from pursuing justice to holding position, power, money, human wisdom or seeking sexual fulfillment only to conclude: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Where is True Happiness Found?

My Grandchildren seem to believe that happiness is found in a carefree pursuit of “games, games, and more games” with no responsibility, no chores, nor school.  Yet, on those rare days that they get this, I have noticed that rather than happy they are more and more frustrated, irritable, and angry as the days wears on.   But isn’t that true of us as well?  So, like Solomon we find, what we thought was pursuing pleasure and happiness are all vanity and vexation of spirit.  In the end there is no lasting joy or happiness there.

On the contrary. “the joy of the Lord is our strength” as Nehemiah 8:10 says.  Let us look at that in context.

Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth[a] of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful.  Ezra 6:21-22

But What about God’s Laws?

So, well and good. Of course they were happy. God had just returned them from captivity; but, life would have to go on at some point.  The labors of life as they rebuilt the wall and the temple.  All the temptations and frustrations society brings as well, many of which I detail in the book “When God Commanded Build that Wall” as a study in Nehemiah.

So, briefly back to the children of Israel’s story.  Later, the Levites read the law to the people, who initially worshipped God, then began to weep. Did they weep because they knew of their own inadequacies to fulfill the law?  Or was it the fact God had rules, something our modern society balks at.  After all, if I am to pursue all my desires and pleasures, what place do societal rules play? And God’s rules?  Won’t those mere restrict my pleasure? But this was God’s response through Nehemiah.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8: 9-10)

So, Back to Us and how to know Happiness Always

Jesus in His prayer for us as recorded in John 17 says:

these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth.

Our Joy is fulfilled in what?  Knowing Him.  Even if the world hates us.  Our joy is fulfilled in Him, His Word, and the truth that He is my greatest treasure.  But is He truly joyous?  If we are to have His joy, what kind of joy is that?

Hebrews 1: 8-9

But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A [f]scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

Therein lies a key.  Jesus Christ was given the oil of gladness.  His happiness exceeds all others.  But for what was He anointed this?  A scepter of righteousness, for He loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.”

So, to know true Happiness always begins not with a lawless pursuit of pleasure; rather to love God first.  He is the treasure, the true happiness and joy our hearts need to fulfill every desire of our heart.  Only in Him.

Happiness and True Joy

In his prayer to the Ephesians, Paul wrote:

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [c]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1

Note—longsuffering with joy means even in suffering, we are filled with patience and joy giving thanks to the Father for His unfailing Grace, Love, and because He has already placed “conveyed us in the kingdom of the Son of His love.  My address has changed, I am merely awaiting the final move.  Meanwhile how to hold fast and know this joy here and now is through being filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understand.  WE are to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  Therein, we are strengthened with all might according to His Glorious Power for al patience and longsuffering with joy.  He is the happiness and joy we seek always and forever more.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoyed this poem perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

Other Books Available

If you want to know more about books I have written,then, click on this link to my Book Resources.

Another option is going to Amazon.com. Because, there you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba.  Or click this link to be taken there

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Previously

What is all you need to know? God IS!

 

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Scriptures here are from:

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by Sander Weeteling on Unsplash