Why Have You Forsaken Me?

One dark hour
While in the deepest depth of despair,
When trouble left me sour,
I came to the Lord in prayer.

I prayed:

Lord, why have you forsaken me?
From your mighty hand forlorn?
Why have I been made to be
Bruised and tattered and torn?

Lord, you said you would never leave.
You said you would protect
As long as I believe.
But instead I feel neglect.

The weight of the world is closing in
Even though I say my prayers.
I do my best to keep from sin
And yet I face the tempter's snares.

Why, Oh Lord, I ask of Thee,
Why have you forsaken me?
Why do I still feel
That alone I'm left to deal.

Deal with the hurt and toils of life,
The pains and winds of strife.
Why have when I've trusted most
I've felt the furthest from the Heavenly Host.

And as I prayed in my bitter tone of choice
I heard the Savior's voice.
What next He said to me
Opened my eyes to see.

I could now see the winds of strife I'd felt
Manifest in countless foe
That surrounded where I bitterly knelt
Amongst a now seen woe.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing
A sight that was most scary.
Countless agents of evil being
Led by he, himself­-the adversary.

But there amidst the wily foe
That sought to bring me low
Was standing there, the Mighty giver of Life,
Who alone held back the winds of strife.

He said to me:

When Satan and his angels do enclose
Still I am here.
Even in your darkest hour
My presence is always near.

And though the evil one brings harm
With the help from evil throng
You stand protected with the saving arm
Of He who rights the wrongs.

Then, in the twinkling of an eye
Returned to home was I,
No longer seeing the evil sea
That had just surrounded me.

But still I felt the pounding,
The power of the suppressor,
With his evil angels surrounding
Making me feel lesser.

How could not have I perceived
The nearness of the Lord?
All while I had grieved
He protected me from Satan's sword.

Though I prayed, my unbelief was showing.
But no longer will I say that prayer
For now I pray while knowing
I am always in His care.

For all the while did I complain
Of carrying burdens great,
There did He remain
Carrying still the greater weight.