"I Asked Him"

I asked him for the good news,

He said that there was none,

The weather’s dry and all our try,

Can’t fix the problem, son.

I asked him for the bright side,

He said he couldn’t see,

The fuel is high, our new bull died,

Was his reply to me.

I asked him for the hopeful,

He said that it was lost,

Broke down, won’t start, hopes came apart,

And his last Ace was tossed.

I asked about his sweetheart,

He assumed I knew,

Her death came quick, when she got sick,

The virus took her, too.

I asked him ‘bout his children,

Said they don’t much come around,

Their hearts made sad, by life turned bad,

So they just stay in town.

I asked him could I say a prayer,

He said I wish you would,

I’m all prayed out, but have no doubt,

It might do me some good.

And there we cried and offered prayer,

I saw his tears roll down,

A man this strong, with trials this long,

Can keep life in a frown.

And as I drove away I thought,

So many like this man,

They’re holding on, but almost gone,

And some on their last stand.

O Lord, look down and help us,

When all the odds are stacked,

Against the ones, whose strength is done,

Supply the power they’ve lacked.

Give the hope to carry on,

And not give up the fight,

Work in all things, and to them bring,

The grace to be all right.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

What a promise! God says He is always working in all things for our good and His glory! All things is a big phrase, which means He includes both positive and negative, good and bad, helpful and detrimental, sins and virtues. He uses all of it redemptively, so in God’s economy nothing is wasted. This promise should be very encouraging to us, especially if our history is littered with regret and tragic mistakes. We can’t do it over, but God can still use it. Praise the Lord.

Lord, help us realize that You are working in everything for our good, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.