Return with me once again to Francis Thompson’s classic poem “The Hound of Heaven.”
“All which I took from thee…”16
So what does God take from us? Does He take security, self-sufficiency, independence, peace of mind . . . things like that? And why does He take them?
“Not for thy harms,
“But just that thou might’st seek it in My arms.”17
Not simply to make us miserable, but that in our misery we would turn to Him. Maybe God lets us hurt until our pain finally brings us back to Him. I call that God’s severe mercy!
“For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.”
— Psalm 116:8 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, forgive me when I seek fulfillment and security in the things of this world. Help me to put my hope in You and in You alone. In Your holy name I pray, amen.