“Treasures of Darkness” illustration by Gary Gaede

Advent Day 6 – Friday, December 7

Adapted from Psalm 6 and Romans 8:28, these verses were written for a choral piece of mine, sung earlier this year by the Our Savior’s Choir. No matter how much we cry or how much we ache, we have the confidence that God will hear us and embrace us. Even in our troubled bones, we have comfort.

Hear Me, Lord, in My Distress

Hear me, Lord, in my distress. Wipe away my tears.

My path is dark: Enlighten me!
My mind is blocked: Enable me!
My soul is weak: Enliven me!
My heart is confused: Encourage me!
We know
That in everything
God works for good.

Be gracious to me: Save my life!

Speak to me, Lord, in my distress. Wipe away my tears.

My path is wild: Encumber me!
My mind is lost: Ensnare me!
My soul is aching: Enfold me!
My heart is longing: Embrace me!
We know
That in everything
God works for good.

Even my bones are troubled: How long, O Lord, how long?

Hold me, Lord, in my distress. Wipe away my tears.
We know
That in everything
God works for good.

Dear Lord, thank you for your Son Jesus, who, like us, has cried out in distress and felt the loving arms of God. May we have confidence that you will wipe away our tears. Amen.

—Deanna Wehrspann