Darkness overwhelms, consumes, swallows up. Oh, precious Saint, take heed; God is there and holding you.

William Cowper knew this anguish and wrote:

“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm”

These feelings of loneliness and struggle and anguish don’t seem to go away. You wake to dread and the inability to open your eyes. No one cares. Beloved, God is there, riding the storm with you. Although He feels far away, He is with you.

“Deep in unfashionable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will”

Yes, those mines. You could be covered in ash and breathing in the disease-infested air. It feels that way sometimes. But there is purpose in those depths. When you feel you cannot breathe because of the suffocating suffering, He is there and working.

“You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head”

You cannot see it now, but one day, yes one day, Saint, the clouds will break out into mercy upon your head. Take courage! If not on this earth, in the heavens above you will be received into His eternal kingdom and the grace will be everlasting. There will be rest and mercy forevermore.

“His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour,
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.”

Maybe His purposes are unseen, maybe you will never know until Heaven. But, oh glorious Heaven. It will be sweet and you will be at rest, finally. The struggles of the earth will be gone and a memory and you will enjoy a great feast.