O God, When all is stripped away, when I have nothing left but a cry, I lift my eyes to You Abba, Father. When I have no one else to run to, No refuge in this valley of shadows, I beseech You, with the trembling heart of a child. Is this not what a father’s love is for?
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).
Oh Lord, where else can we go? Who else can shelter the fearful as a dove wings beating wildly in a world of snares and storms? You alone are our refuge. You alone are the One we trust when every human hope fails.
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by” (Psalm 57:1).
When the valley is deep and the enemies circle, When we feel the arrows drawn, And the wicked bend their bows to slay the righteous You see, O God. You are not blind to injustice. You are not silent to evil. You are not distant from our pain.
“The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken” (Psalm 37:14–15).
From Your everlasting throne You reign unchallenged, unshaken. You, O Lord, watch with care and judge in righteousness. You know what is done in secret. You hear the groans no one else hears. You are the defender of the defenseless, the justice of the oppressed, the hope of the righteous who have no power but prayer.
“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of man” (Psalm 11:4).
Your voice alone can seal the fate of the wicked. No court, no army, no human verdict compares to Yours. Let Your justice thunder where lies have flourished. Let Your righteousness break through like the dawn. “Arise, O Lord, in Your anger, lift Yourself up against the fury of my enemies… Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about You; over it return on high” (Psalm 7:6–7).
And yet, O Lord, while the wicked tremble, Your faithful ones are not forgotten. You cause Your face to shine upon them. You lift their heads in the day of trouble. Though sorrow may last through the night, Your joy Your favor comes with the morning.
“For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12). “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18, NIV).
Let the beam of Your grace fall on Your servants. Let Your light expose what is hidden, And let Your mercy surround those who cling to You. We are not strong. We are not blameless. But we are Yours.
So we wait. We trust. We weep, but we do not despair. We kneel beneath Your throne And still believe in the goodness of our God.
“For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever…” (Psalm 37:28).
Shine on us, O Light of heaven. And when the night is darkest, Let us hear You say again “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Amen.