Don't Quit, My Friend

Don’t quit when the tears are falling:

For there’s joy around the bend;

Don’t quit when the grief engulfs you:

For sufficient grace God sends!

Don’t quit when in waves you’re sinking:

For the Lord keeps you afloat;

Don’t quit when the sails are rending,

For Christ pilots still your boat!

Don’t quit when the dark surrounds you:

For God’s light of love shines near;

Don’t quit midst attack or warfare:
For the Victor, Christ is here!

Don’t quit when a soul rejects you:

For your Father cannot fail;

Don’t quit when that sting is mounting,

For `tis Christ Who sets your sail!

Don’t quit midst affliction’s anguish:

For the Great Physician’s near;

Don’t quit, though the road seems cheerless-

There’s a diamond in each tear!

Don’t quit in the thick of battle:

For the vict’ry is ahead-

Don’t quit in the field of wounded:

For they need you, ere they’re dead!

Don’t quit at this stage of travel:

For the finish line we see;

Don’t quit my dear friend forever:

For we’re near eternity!

- Keturah

Where Are My Shepherds?

Where Are My Shepherds?

Ezekiel 34:1-16

“Just where are My shepherds?” says Lord God of hosts,

“Why do many lambs roam alone coast to coast?

The sick and diseased are not strengthened or healed,

But often lay dying in some lonely field.

“Why have ye not cared for My own wounded sheep?

Who have survived terrors out in the dark deep,

Ye have not bound up all the broke and abused,

But with cruel force they are ruled and accused.

“With beasts of the field these are all scattered hence,

Without love or safety midst judgments immense;

They wander alone with no shepherd to care –

No loving hands bind up the wounds that are there.

“They’re rather thrust out in the merciless cold,

Restricted from ever to enter the fold:

For sheep that are wounded you’ve kept at arms length,

Ignoring the power of My will and strength.

But I will require My flock at your hand

Regardless what wounds you may not understand:

For I have called you to give safety and care –

To shepherd My flock, and the wounded ones there.

“Behold, even I, will go search out and seek

My flock that’s been scattered, the wounded and weak,

The lost will I bring and those driven away,

And bind up those broken on dark cloudy day.

“For I am the Lord, and for all My sheep care,

Nor will I exclude any wounded ones there:

For they’re just as loved as the fat and the strong,

Although they’ve been scattered and treated so wrong.

“So where are My shepherds who care for My flock?

Who are they in love that with wounded ones walk?

For I want My sheep brought to healing divine,

To feed in safe pastures where My love doth shine!”