Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner?"

Today's devotional reading in Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman is taken from Psalm 107, followed by a poem written many years ago by Antoinette Wilson. Following that are my thoughts, based on the same psalm.

"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses."  - Psalm 107:27-28

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner,”
Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in the battle alone?
Remember - at "Wits End Corner"
Is where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner,”
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy and dazed, and numb?
Remember - at "Wits End Corner,"
Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner?”
Your work before you spread,
All lying begun, unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember - at “Wits End Corner”
The Burden-Bearer stands.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner?”
Then you're just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who fails you not:
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at "Wits' End Corner"
Is the "God who is able" proved.

circa 1900s, Antoinette Wilson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We cry out, in anguish,
and the Lord hears
He delivers us from our distresses

Do we thank Him,
shower Him with praise
for His provision, His blessings, His goodness?

or
do we continue to sit in darkness,
now knowing what to do
at  our wits end, 

bound in one affliction after another

Do we rebel against God,
against God's word
Are we filled with hatred
and contempt
Do we have no use for God
for His wisdom

Again and again
when it is too much
we cry out,
in anguish,
to the Lord
and the Lord,
who loves us so,
saves us,
heals us

Do we thank Him
shower Him with praise
for ALL He is

Do we really care  
how very much He loves us?

or have you forgotten
He sent His Son, Jesus,
to die for you.

(c) Cathy Orrick Luders

May 23, 2017