When Peace Like a River

I rather doubt that I have quite come to the end of the dark time I've been walking in these last several weeks, but I will say that I do believe the seeds of hope that were sewn in tears are starting to produce their promised harvest of joy. It's still in the baby stages of it and it is by no means overwhelming or spilling out. But, I can say for sure that I am not as broken as I have been.
Not as empty and without hope. There is peace in knowing that. I believe it is the part in my battle against the enemy where the Lord has stepped up to fight for me and I may enter into a place of rest in God's strong tower. 

Funny how that is. I've never thought of that before, honestly. I think I've always focussed so much on how the Lord said he would fight for us that I never thought about how he wouldn't have given us Holy armor in the first place if He didn't expect us to go to war and fight ourselves. And then I get so upset the moment I'm in the line of fire out on the battle field because I didn't think it was my job to fight. Well, lesson learned. There is a reason we are supposed to be ready in and out of season. There is a reason why Paul tells to train like an athlete. 

All that being said, God's message to me is still wait and trust. I wish this calling got easier with practice. As many times as God has had me learn that lesson, I've never got the science of it down. 
But now that I have been emptied of so much of me, there is peace like a river, or perhaps a small creek, trickling slowly onto my wounded heart..and it is soothing.  

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.