Hold on Tight to God

“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

I recently found this poem written by then US Navy Commander, Jeremiah Denton who was being held in the Hanoi Hilton prison. He was held under torture and extreme duress for nearly eight years. The poem was shared with his fellow POWs during Easter of 1969. It really struck me.

We need to have the faith to hold on when times are difficult. God gives and has given us so many signs that His plans always are the best. “That God writes straight with crooked lines. Dark clouds can hide the rising sun, And all seem lost, when all be won” shows us that even in the most dire times, beyond what most of us will ever experiment, through our faith in God, we can persevere and gain His victory.

Commander Denton held on to his faith in torture and months of solitary confinement through the military’s Code of Conduct and his Catholic faith. He often spent days praying and re-praying the Holy Rosary over and over. Contemplating in-depth the deep meaning of each mystery and each word.

How do you react when difficult times fall upon you? Do you turn to God, unafraid and undismayed? Do you know that through all times, God is with you and near you, strengthening and upholding you?

See the links below ‘La Pieta’ to find my books on how I came through difficult times with the guidance and help of Jesus.

La Pieta by Commander Jeremiah Denton. “The soldiers stare, then drift away, Young John finds nothing he can say, The veil is rent; the deed is done; And Mary holds her only son. His limbs grow stiff, the night grows cold, But naught can loose that mother’s hold, Her gentle, anguished eyes seem blind, Who knows what thoughts run through her mind? Perhaps she thinks of last week’s palms, With cheering thousands off’ring alms Or dreams of canaan on the day She nagged him till she got her way. Her face shows grief but not despair, Her head though bowed has faith to spare, For even now she could suppose His thorns might somehow yield a rose. Her life with him was full of signs. That god writes straight with crooked lines. Dark clouds can hide the rising sun, And all seem lost, when all be won!”

Find “I knew His Voice” through the links below:

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