And I, a Watchman

So this week I have posted a poem that one of my best friends wrote. It was based off three passages of scripture so I’ve posted those too. It just really resonated with me and I hope that it touches your heart too.

 

And I, a Watchman

 

And I, a watchman, cannot sleep,

Yet my waking is in vain.

So my soul waits on the Lord,

As my eyes wait for dawn to break.

 

In the night, my will is broken.

 

"No rest for the weary" my only thought,

And yet You offer sleep.

 

I wait for morning. Wait.

I wait in mourning.

 

Hear me God. Have mercy.

My soul waits, uncertain, and my strength fades.

My will breaks in time with my composure.

And I, a watchman, am afraid.

 

My soul waits for morning. Wait.

My soul waits in mourning.

 

Oh, that I could sleep.

 

Have mercy, my God, on your daughter.

I, ever a watchman, fear your rest,

And still, you beckon "sleep."

 

Will you build and guard as I dream?

Will you protect as I lay down my wakeful defense?

And Lord, can I trust your unfailing love?

 

My soul is ever waiting.

My eyes are quickly fading.

At last, I break

And I, a watchman, sleep

 

I sleep.

Until my soul meets the morning, I sleep

And though my soul still knows mourning, I sleep.

 

You offer rest.

And I, your beloved watchman, sleep.

 

Your love, oh Lord, is unfailing.

Your love, my Lord, is strong.

 

Inspired by

 

Matthew 11:28

 

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 

PSALM 1308

 

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; 2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

PSALM 127

 

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.3 Sons are heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.