Ever since Eden's eviction, we've pitched our tent on a volcanic rim – molten chaos churning and burning. Perched on the edge. The world rumbles, awaiting eruption. Seldom considering the Way of the Prince of Peace.
Surrounded by such bedlam, what will still our souls?
One uniquely human sedative to the cacophony of chaos is song – the blend of lilting music with meaningful verse. While the sustained notes of songbirds may soothe, the added ballast of words – meaning and truth – fortify the soul with perspective and hope.
Almost two months ago, our dear friend Judy lost her husband, Howie. He passed from here – the land of the dying – to there – the land of the living. Howie was (and continues to be) a happy, inquisitive, hard-working, relationship-building brother in Christ. We miss him. One recent morning, Judy posted this song (Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right) on her FaceBook page. Paula and I have had it on repeat ever since. It not only has a beautiful cadence, but it instills Biblical Truths that nourish our hearts. I hope you will find this song, these words, to give you light, perspective, and balm in the chaos.
Lyrics:
1 Whate'er my God ordains is right
His holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate'er he does
And follow where he guideth.
He is my God, though dark my road
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
And so to Him I leave it all.
2 Whate'er my God ordains is right
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path
I know he will not leave me.
I take content, what he has sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait his day
And patiently I wait his day.
3 Whate'er my God ordains is right
Though now this cup, in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart
I take it all, unshrinking.
My God is true, each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart
And pain and sorrow shall depart
4 Whate'er my God ordains is right
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father's care, is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to him I leave it all
And so to him I leave it all.
-Written by Samuel Rodigast, 1676, to comfort a sick friend.
These words instill life to the soul that is banking everything on God, made known in Jesus Christ. Patiently, we wait His Day! And so to Him we leave it all.