Night ● (Isaiah 26:20-21, Psalm 91, Revelation 1:7, Isaiah 25:8) We see a dark line gathering across the graying sky. A soft breeze is gentle on our cheeks and sings the lullaby. The birds are almost quiet as we look at the sky and feel the air grow colder. We grab our things and go inside. We go in our rooms and hide a while until the rainstorm passes. Wrapped in a blanket safe inside, we watch the lightning flashes and hear the thunder crashing, each filled with distant passions, and glad its only passing. And oh, how my heart is beating. My heart is beating very fast. Oh, how my heart is beating. We watch from behind the glass. From the terrors of the night, under the arrows in the sky, we’re safe inside. We hear the heavens opening between the East wind calling. Tall trees are bending at their knees to keep the sky from falling, and though we fear what follows, we are afraid for nothing. Our house will stand tomorrow and hold us safe beneath His wings. But oh, how my heart is beating. My heart is beating very fast. Oh, how my heart is beating. The storm breaks at last. From the terrors of the night, under the arrows in the sky, though ten thousand fall by our side, we’ll only look on with our eyes. We’re safe inside. Is there any doubt the Son will rise again out of the clouds and dry the tears away from the wind swept ground, from the wind swept ground. And oh, how my heart is beating. My heart is beating very fast. Oh, how my heart is beating. I feel it in my chest. ● (II Thessalonians 2:3-4, Isaiah 44, Revelation 13:15-18, Revelation 14:9-11) Under an artificial son, chasing memories. Each and every one: worth their weight in gold. Entertaining empty dreams. Silver apples and black screens. Do we know how much it all means when in all fades away. It lasts for hours and hours in outer space but always fades away. The craftsmen skilled in mockery erect their oracles and squint their eyes to believe, forgetting they’ve designed, they ask it for a sign. Tell the breathless to arise. Trust the trillion sightless eyes. Will we have no better guide, now; oh, what games we play. We place our hopes on things we know will fade, but place them anyway. Silicone and sorcery, opening forbidden doors, making immortality: the valley where we are nevermore you and me. Will you cross that last divide with your finger toward the sky? Will there be no where left to hide when it all goes up in flames. We build our towers that reach to outer space but don’t know where it leads. ● (Isaiah 24) We hear the sound of the tambourine, the pulsing beat of the revelry, the careless din of a world at ease. I hear “praise the Lord” in the East, and in the West I hear choirs sing, but I say “woe is me”. Woe is me. No one sees. Panic falls suddenly upon them. Terror and pit and snare confront you. The world feels the curse heavy upon it. Terror and pit and snare confront you. The call goes out on the empty streets, “the gate is battered and wall is breached”. Fields of green but a memory. The whole world withers upon the vine. All men must drink from the bitter wine. Joy is banished from the earth with a sigh, and all hope dies. All hope dies. The earth sees the shaking of the heavens. Terror and pit and snare confront you. The world feels the horror of His presence. Terror and pit and snare confront you. Run from the terror, fall in the pit. There is no hope of escaping it. Out of the pit and into the snare. There is no rest that awaits you there. The earth is split violently asunder. Terror and pit and snare confront you. The world reels and totters like a drunkard. Terror and pit and snare confront you. ● (Isaiah 21, I Peter 1:3-9) Every season surrenders to winter. Every hope a regret to remember. Oh my heart, how it shudders within me. Oh, my God, in trouble we implore Thee. Please make us to see the way that you see. Cast within the shadow of the burning flames, hope remains safe for all time, the silence of certainty. Pale before the promise of eternal spring, everything fades in that light, ebb and flow alike. Heaven send us a light that will guide us. Heaven rescue the hope left inside us. Oh, my heart, how it shudders within me. Oh, my God, in trouble we implore Thee. Please give us the strength we need to endure. Cast within the shadow of the burning flames, hope remains safe for all time, the silence of certainty. Pale before the promise of eternal spring, everything fades in that light, like dregs of a passing dream. Cast out of the shadow by the breaking dawn, everyone plain in that light, all sinners in sight of all. Weighed beside the favor of the coming King, everything: sweet to endure, the precious made pure; the first and the last: change place at last.