When the Testing Comes

 I was in a Bible Study.  We had just read 1 John 4: 17-18.

"This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:  In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

The question was asked, "What is the day of judgment?" and it occurred to me that there are many sorts of "days of judgment", times when our faith is tested.  I don't have fear for the final day of judgment, but what about the intermediary times of testing.  I don't want to be foolishly sure that I will pass the test in all times of trial.

So that became a prayer, became a poem, became a song.  I probably did not pay as much attention as I might have to the rest of the study.  

When the Testing Comes 

When the testing comes,

I want to ring like a bell

When the trials come,

Give me Your stories to tell.

Let me know Your love

Throws away all my fear

Let me walk in love,

Knowing You will be here

And Your love casts out fear.

You are my Number One

Come and burn like fire.

Let my passion grow

Let the flames reach up higher

Burn away all chaff

Burn away all my dross

When I pass through flame

Nothing real will be lost.

When the testing comes,

I want to ring like a bell

When the trials come,

Give me Your stories to tell.

Let me know Your love

Throws away all my fear

Let me walk in love,

Knowing You will be here

And Your love casts out fear.