Common Grace Revisited

This poem was first published on November 6, 2012.
I’m asking the same questions all these years later.

How do You determine, Lord, the answer to our prayers?
How do You discern, dear Lord, the ways to show You care?

How do You distinguish when the farmer prays for rain?
How do You answer the worried bride who asks for sun again?

How do You know what is always best, and very good, and true?
Don’t You get annoyed at those who try so hard to be You?

How can You choose the better? How can You choose the best?
How do You have the energy to do things with no rest?

Is it loud in Heaven, when our prayers come to Your throne?
Or can You separate the voices and listen to one alone?

I don’t know how You do it, Lord. How do You rule the world?
If I were You, I’d give up by now, my surrender flag unfurled.

We each pray for such different things and trust that You will know.
The best way, and the right way, and the path that we should go.

I think that if we had your job, for even just one minute,
We’d see that it’s too hard for us; we need Your wisdom in it.

I’m grateful to You, precious Lord, for the things You do for me.
I may not understand Your ways, but they’re always good, I see.

Thank You for determining the answer to my prayer.
Yes, or no, or wait, My child, shows me that You care.

Thank You for always giving me the thing You know I need.
It’s not always what I ask for, but it is good, indeed.

I’m so glad that You are God and I’m so glad that I am not!
I’m glad that You are the Potter and I’m just a simple pot.

On days like this, when prayers are raised, both sides, indeed, You’ll hear.
Thank you, Lord, that You decide and tell us, Have no fear!

May we, Your people, un-stiff our necks and hold our head up high.
May we accept Your Sovereign rule with a submissive cry.

All outcomes are in Your Hands, O Lord, the safest place to be.
You’re the God who knows and hears; You are the God that sees.