Healing Grace

Gloom, doubt, fear  stalked in,
like ugly frogs in mire,
tried to squeeze into my inner place.
Silence I embraced.

No, I cannot be robbed of what I own!
Then came the call,
"step out with your sword,
breastplate, close to your heart, firmly hold"

That voice my sunken senses stirred,
my soul rebelled
against a choking darkness,
 my peace, my inner self, to steal

God stands by me in heaven and in hell
His Word-- eternal shield, a  blazing torch,
His love, to light the pilgrim's path,
 Him  shall I praise,
within His healing grace.