Enduring Faith

My Humble Plea

I kneel to you, O Sovereign One,
To plead that I complete my run
As I adhere to your decree;
Jehovah, hear my humble plea.

I beg of you, my strength renew,
That I may prove myself to you,
To flee from badness I may see;
Jehovah, hear my humble plea.

Sustain my faith, and courage too,
As I await what will be new,
A paradise where death won't be;
Jehovah, hear my humble plea.

O God, I offer songs of praise,
Today and all the future days,
And pledge my faithfulness to thee;
Jehovah, hear my humble plea.

I vow to you, Almighty God,
Your name eternally to laud,
To not befriend the roaring sea;
Jehovah, hear my humble plea.

Each night I pour my heart to you,
With grateful words before your view,
For I have faith you care for me,
That you will hear my humble plea.

Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 42:8

Isaiah 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Image by joshua-earle from Unsplash

Poetic form: Quatrain - Kyrielle

The Night Will End

I've heard the groans of men who suffer wrong;
I've read injustice penned by those who rule;
I've felt the pain of children's muffled cries;
I've seen the poor exploited by the cruel.

The meek are weak, declares the howling crowd,
And manly attributes are loathed and mocked.
Such ones impugn the standards set by God,
Adopting wanton morals they concoct.

No man can e'er undo the woes they've sowed;
No man can bring an end to ceaseless wars;
No man can hope to rule a peaceful world;
No man can purge the ills from distant shores.

I do renounce the wisdom of the world!
I have refused to join the freely blind!
I stand with those who walk the narrow road!
I yearn to one day leave this world behind.

Image by jplenio from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain

The Road To Life

This darkened world calls out to me,

The wicked join in its decree.

Behind, the peal of bells is loud,

Demanding heads to Baal be bowed.

A harlot rides a fearsome beast;

Her thirst for red has not decreased.

Unknown to most, her end is near;

She'll soon be stunned with horrid fear.

I will continue walking strong,

Dissenting from a world of wrong.

The wider road is full of strife;

The narrow road will lead to life.

My back is turned to pleading cries,

Renouncing myths and endless lies.

I aim to reach the finish line,

To see a world of God's design.

Matthew 7:13, 14

Image by jplenio from Pixabay

Poetic form: Couplet

The Great Tribulation

The winds approach the stygian night;
They howl to Death all life to smite.
A tribulation heads our way,
Yet man ignores that time of fright.

Remember those in Noah's day;
They sought a life of ease and play.
But then the rain came pouring down
And swept that wicked world away.

Unveil your eyes and look around;
You'll see a godless, evil frown.
Recall the days when angels strayed,
And men would kneel to Satan's crown.

Be like the eight who were unswayed
By men who mocked and disobeyed.
Keep safe your faith; your hope embrace;
You'll see the day for which you've prayed.

Image by Schäferle2 from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain - Rubaiyat

A New World

I see a world immersed in dread,
Where children beg for crumbs of bread.
The poor bemoan their tattered clothes
And daily fear what lies ahead.

I see when earth a tantrum throws
And whirlwinds churn a man's repose.
When massive lines of angry waves
Assault the shores in deathly throes.

I also see the plight of slaves
Whose hopes and dreams are cast in graves.
The endless wars that butcher men,
The greedy hands of ruthless knaves.

I will not see these things again;
They soon will end — not if, but when.
Then humankind will be at peace,
And all the earth will cry, amen!

I pray and wait for that release
When pain and hate, at last, will cease.
I gaze and smile at what's to come;
I see a world of joyful ease.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain - Rubaiyat

Open Your Eyes

Open your eyes and look ahead;
To hope, hold firm, be not afraid.
God's Kingdom brings an end to dread!

Refuse to join a world misled,
Resist the ones whose hearts are swayed,
Open your eyes and look ahead.

With courage, aim the Word to spread;
The roaring nations soon will fade;
God's Kingdom brings an end to dread!

Arise and lift your heads instead
To sing out loud with faith arrayed;
Open your eyes and look ahead.

For you, redeeming blood was shed;
The ransom has been fully paid;
God's Kingdom brings an end to dread!

Our tears will voice the words unsaid
To praise the One who breaks the blade.
Open your eyes and look ahead,
God's Kingdom brings an end to dread!

Image by dozemode from Pixabay

Poetic form: Villanelle

Hold Fast You Brave Ones!

The northern king has risen from his sleep
And lays a siege to end the Kingdom news.
His armies storm the homes of humble sheep
To silence all who dare God's rule to choose.

Behind him stands the Dragon, full of rage;
He knows his kingship soon will meet its end.
He spurs the northern king to take the stage,
To crush the ones whose faith he fails to bend.

Though fear may course their veins as they hold fast,
They are prepared to wield God's word in hand.
And though the Dragon's force is great and vast,
Jehovah's angels swarm like grains of sand.

Hold fast, you brave ones, lower not your hand!
With you, a greater army soon will stand!

Ephesians 6:16, 17; 2 Kings 6: 17

Image by Unsplash

Poetic form: Sonnet

The Choice

A fallen angel reaches out to me;
He pledges fame and riches will be mine.
And all I have to do is turn the key,
Then enter through a door of his design.

He claims a better life I stand to make;
The narrow road I'm on I can replace.
The door of his design is mine to take,
To roam an easy road at my own pace.

But I will not pursue what eyes can see,
For such would leave me blind to what's divine.
The narrow road will yield the valid key
To enter through the door of God's design.

Beware of him who sows deceptive scenes
To steal your precious hope by guileful means.

Matthew 7:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11

Image by Vinotecarium from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

To The King of The North

Be warned, O raging, northern king,
Your time will come to pass!
For you have trampled holy ground
And scourge the lowly class.

You brandish weapons forged with hands
To threaten peaceful men.
The women, children, you condemn,
With lashes from a pen.

Observe their faces, northern king,
Their joy you will not crush!
Your armies strive to silence them;
Their lips you will not hush!

Like swarms of locusts, they proceed!
United, God they laud!
You'll fail to bring an end to them!
Jehovah is their God!

So warned you are, O haughty king,
Your actions are unwise.
They won't retreat, and soon you'll see,
God's arm for them will rise!

Image by AgnieszkaMonk from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain - Ballad Stanza

O Death

O Death, my hated foe, for me, you've come;
You wish to snatch my breath before the storm.
You thrill to see decay arrays my form,
And now you wait to see if I succumb.

My face has oft displayed the pain inside,
A sense of sadness served by lonesome days.
At times, the pain has veiled my songs of praise,
And so, it seems to you, my hope has died.

But you, O Death, have failed to see in me
The steadfast faith in God which holds me firm.
A faith that I alone cannot affirm,
But seen by Him to whom I bend my knee.

And yet, I'm not alone in these last days,
For others have obeyed the Shepherd's call.
United in their faith while standing tall;
Together, raising arms, in songs of praise.

So then, O Death, as you can doubtless see,
I do not fear the darkness of the grave,
For even if you cage the life you crave,
The One I serve has always held the key.

1 Corinthians 15:55; Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 26:19; Revelation 21:4

Image by Karen_Nadine from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain - Enclosed Rhyme

Strength To Cope

Infuse in me the strength to cope,

To lean on you when storms approach.

Please search my heart, in you, I hope;

Infuse in me the strength to cope.

For words, at times, I seem to grope,

But earnest prayers, you won't reproach.

Infuse in me the strength to cope,

To lean on you when storms approach.

Philippians 4:13

Image by enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay

Poetic form: Triolet

Facing The Storms

The waves dilate as darkened clouds expand;
A woeful soul observes the nearing storm.
He sees the charcoaled sky extend its hand,
Then feels the cresting waves toward him swarm.

What hope is there beyond what eyes can see
While in the frigid arms of gloating Death?
With trembling lips, he cries an urgent plea,
And begs Jehovah God to spare his breath.

His eyes are bloodshot red from many tears,
But he defies the urge to beg for sleep.
Forlorn of heart, yet fighting 'gainst his fears,
He sees his pleas are heard and starts to weep.

When mounting storms assail your precious hope,
Beseech the One who grants the strength to cope.

Psalm 116:1-9; Philippians 4:6, 7, 13; Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 3:5, 6

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

Godly Faith

On knees, I've been a thousand times before,
When plaintive thoughts of failure gripped my heart,
But faith in God impels me evermore.

The world applauds the things that I abhor,
The sampling of its ways I won't take part;
On knees, I've been a thousand times before.

Like crashing ocean waves upon the shore,
Temptation daily seeks my will to cart,
But faith in God impels me evermore.

I won't give heed to sin's imploring roar,
Nor hear the taunts of those to soon depart;
On knees, I've been a thousand times before.

Relentless arrows strike my guarded door;
They aim to cause my hope to fall apart.
But faith in God impels me evermore.

The urges of the fallen flesh implore,
But I refuse that godless road to chart.
On knees, I've been a thousand times before,
But faith in God impels me evermore.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Poetic form: Villanelle

Oppose Darkness

As darkness sways the minds of men,
Preventing light from shining through,
Employ the armor and the sword,
And fight to hold to what is true.

The world will scorn the faith you show,
As darkness sways the minds of men,
But hold on tight to love and hope;
Refuse to walk that path again.

When facing trials, ask for strength;
Rely on God to show the way.
As darkness sways the minds of men,
Be careful not to go astray.

But if your knee should hit the ground,
Cry out to God to guide you then,
And he will firmly hold your hand
As darkness sways the minds of men.

Image by jplenio from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatern

Keep Your Senses

Do not ignore his frightful roar,
But quickly strive to shut the door.
With lies, he subtly aims to sway
Your thoughts to leave what you adore.

This master hunter looks for prey;
Your hope and faith he seeks to slay.
But keep your senses to perceive
The traps he sets along your way.

Be wise, your faith he aims to thieve;
He stalks your path from eve to eve.
With vile intent, he'll strike a blow
To cause your heart with pain to grieve.

Remain alert with love aglow;
Your faith each day be quick to show.
Await the day that God has set,
A time to end this dreadful foe.

1 Peter 5:8

Image by Nashad Abdu from Unsplash

Poetic form: Quatrain - Rubaiyat

See With Eyes of Faith

What light do clouded eyes not see?
Why blind though signs abound?
The wars that bathe the earth in blood
And quakes that wake the ground?

Diseases scourging young and old;
The spread of hunger, drought?
Disdain for truth and modesty
While letting hatred sprout?

From long ago they were foretold,
To warn of dreadful days,
When men would turn from sacred words
To seek their selfish ways.

Why won't they see these lucid signs
Yet cling to glaring lies?
They slander God, whom they despise—
The path to their demise.

Take care to firmly guard your faith,
For he who brought the lie
Will tempt a weakened heart to doubt
And cause his hope to die.

Though others may ignore the signs,
We know God's word is light.
And so we see the prophecies,
With faith that gives us sight.

Look! Up ahead! The finish line!
The prize we've longed to see!
A paradise, with Christ as King;
We'll then forever be!

Hebrews 11:1, 6; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:4-14

Image by Aaron Burden from Unsplash

Poetic form: Quatrain - Ballad Stanza

To Those Who Left

Retrieve the love you once had shared
When kingdom news you would declare.
You know that then you truly cared,
So call to God in tears and prayer.

Return, revive your joy and hope,
Like days when you beheld his care.
Be humble, meek, that you may cope;
Implore of Jah, your weight to bear.

This darkened world will meet its end,
So leave behind its noxious air.
Have trust that God, your heart will mend;
Restore the love you've longed to share.

But know that soon he'll close the door,
And mournful cries will fill the air.
Come back, and pay the vow you swore,
The day he freed you from despair.

Psalm 119:176

Image by Lukas_Rychvalsky from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain

The Cell Tells

Unwise are those who spread unfettered lies,
Who claim that life arose from lifeless ooze.
They choose to see with Darwin's blinded eyes,
So fail to note creation's many clues.

They mock the thought that life had guiding hands,
That God designed and breathed life into man.
To boundless chance, they bow as ardent fans,
Insisting that is how all life began.

The humble human cell cries out to them
To seek and search within its guarded halls.
And there they'll find the truth that will condemn
The lies retold and writ on wobbly walls.

His wondrous work they view with covered eyes
While sipping barren brew distilled with lies.

Image by qimono from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

Spiritual Warfare

My armor bears the scars of battles fought;
I've stumbled to my knees while pressing on.
At times my will to fight has waned to naught;
I seemed to lack the strength to see the dawn.

The wicked one declares that I have lost,
Then laughs at all the errors I have made.
He boasts my waning life will soon be tossed,
Proclaiming I'm alone and soon will fade.

But I remember mercy God had shown,
The times when sin assailed my gated door.
I know with all my heart I'm not alone,
And so I wield the sword as angels soar.

The love of God and Christ has shown the way;
I'll fight until the end, my vow to pay.

Jonah 2:9

Image by Nik Shuliahin from Unsplash

Poetic form: Sonnet

Come, See

Come, see a day when wars have ceased;
When lands, from pain, have been released;
Where mended hearts with love are tied,
And from their eyes, sad tears have dried.

Come, see a world of joyful peace,
Where hatred from all hearts will cease.
Where age no longer wrinkles skin,
And youthful vigor flows within.

Come, see the blind regain their sight;
The mute sing songs with sheer delight;
The deaf hear voices once concealed;
The lame ones running on a field.

Come, see that death cannot enslave
The ones God calls back from the grave.
The joy of seeing loved ones rise
Will fill all hearts with joyous cries.

I know that what you see is true;
Not man, but God, will see it through.
Come, join the throng you warmly view;
Eternal life can be yours, too.

Revelation 21:3-5; Daniel 2:44
Isaiah 35: 5, 6; Psalm 37:9-11

Image by kareni from Pixabay

Poetic form: Couplet

Have Faith

A frightful giant rose from darkened lands
To mock the battle lines of Jacob's sons.
He held a sword and lance with mighty hands
And threatened death to God's anointed ones.

Great fear had gripped the men who held the line;
Before them stood a foe of fearful might.
The soldiers failed to trust the One Divine,
The One whose hand would send their foes to flight.

A child then strode to meet Goliath's dare,
But only with his faith and little stones.
He offered praise to God and said a prayer,
Then used his sling to break Goliath's bones.

A little stone he flung with faith in God,
The One whose arm arose to break the rod.

Image by jeffjacobs1990 from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

Babylon The Great

The earthly kings prepare to go to war,
To bring to ruin Babylon the Great.
That evil harlot rules since days of yore,
But swift will be the fall from her estate.

All humankind will see her grievous sins,
The wicked deeds that stain her garish gown.
And when that tribulation day begins,
No aid will she receive when trampled down.

But brief will be the time of that distress,
And loyal ones will show with whom they stand.
Not haughty kings who warfare always press,
But He who sweeps them off with His right hand.

O sinful Babylon, your end is near!
So sip your last red wine, then quake with fear.

Image by JamesNichols from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

To Death, I Spoke

I spoke to Death in dreams one night;
He was a sight of ghastly fright.
His icy words with scorn were filled,
Which gored my heart and my blood chilled.

He said to me, “Your short-lived life
Is filled with grief, much pain, and strife.
Give up the fight; your hope has fled,
And only sorrow lies ahead.
You need not dread my algid hand;
I'll free you from this blighted land.
Don't live with woe within your heart;
From years of pain, you can depart.
An end to life will be a gift;
I promise you, it will be swift.
Embrace the night and kiss the grave,
The bed prepared for all who slave.”

I stared at him, my eyes unbowed;
With trembling lips, I said aloud:
“My hope remains despite my plight;
I pray for faith each day and night.
So even if this is my end,
The path I walk you will not bend.
But you, O Death, destruction face,
At God's appointed time in place.
Your stygian reign will end with you;
He'll wrest your grip from all you slew.
Perhaps today my life you'll hold,
But yours forever God will fold.”

Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Poetic form: Couplet

Velvet Sky

A hint of velvet drapes the evening sky
As waking stars with burning light arise.
Alone between the sea and land, I sigh;
This wondrous scene enchants my aging eyes.

The wakened ocean breeze begins her dance;
Her fingers graze my face — a tender kiss.
I gaze in awe at this ornate expanse,
Then bashful silence joins the scenic bliss.

But I'm reminded life is brief in time;
My saddened eyes with tears begin to well.
And yet I hope one day to reach my prime,
Right here on earth, where perfect man will dwell.

The splendor of creation shares with me
A glimpse of paradise, one day to be.

Isaiah 40:26; Psalm 19:1

Image by Warren Wong from Unsplash

Poetic form: Sonnet

You Are Not Alone

Sift the hurried ticks of time;
Aim to rise above the fray.
Pray each day your hills to climb;
Sin attempts to make you prey.

Doubt will seek the mind to numb,
Bitter words from lips to flow.
Selfish hearts to greed succumb;
Stand your ground against that foe!

Loss of faith will set ablaze
Hearts to prowl the path of wrong.
Glimpse your life through better days;
Hope embrace to keep you strong.

Guard your heart 'gainst carnal thirst;
Take good care of those who groan.
Shield your mind from what is cursed;
Cling to God, you're not alone.

Image by user 6594256 from Pixabay

Poetic form: Quatrain - Trochee

When Heaven Speaks

When night returns, I scan the sky;
Its stately grandeur mutely speaks.
I see a shooting star streak by,
Its splendor stirring me to sigh,
And God I praise in rising peaks.

A sea of doubters don't agree
That there is One, Almighty, Wise,
Whose hands designed the things we see.
They claim their minds have been set free
Yet bow to theories and lies.

When I perceive what heaven tells,
I see His work on full display,
From massive stars to human cells.
And now, as heaven shows what dwells,
With words of praise, to God, I pray.

Isaiah 40:26; Romans 1:20

Image by NASA - Webb Deep Field Image

Poetic form: Quintain

The Blade

The stain of sin, brought on when Adam strayed,
Allowed the hands of death to brand him 'slave';
Then Adam cursed his children with the blade,
And ever since, their lot has been the grave.

In jealous hatred, Cain the blade embraced;
He stained his hand when Abel's blood he shed.
Creation begs to have the blade erased;
Undo, and oust what Adam's deed has spread.

His kindest love Jehovah did extend;
He set a day for Christ to lift the curse.
The ransom Jesus paid will bring an end
To wickedness and all that is perverse.

The greatest sacrifice for you was made;
Return, and seek the one who breaks the blade.

Romans 5:12

Image by KELLEPICS from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

One Day

The spreading gloom that hangs above the world
Has blinded man from seeing what is true.
The lie unleashed in Eden has unfurled;
It taints the minds of those who truth eschew.

That lie has led the heart to sin's allure,
Beguiling all who seek their selfish wants.
Deluded man has strayed with deeds impure;
They keep on heeding lies the devil flaunts.

Yet there is one who God has placed as King;
In lasting peace, he'll reign in paradise.
Then death no longer will employ its sting,
For Christ has freely paid the ransom price.

One day we'll raise our eyes in tears and see
The paradise as promised, you and me.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

Doomsday Clock

The doomsday clock advances close to death;
These darkened days have led to shaken hope.
The minutes tick toward a final breath,
Or so it seems to those who try to cope.

The clock will run as men with hatred blaze;
They will forgo all urgent calls for peace.
They seek to mime the sun's consuming gaze,
Despite the knowledge human life could cease.

But soon, a Mighty King will bring their end,
And those who worship war will be no more.
Eternal peace the hearts of men will mend,
To cries of joy from all who wars abhor.

The answer does not lie with foolish men,
Where hatred dwells and multiplies by ten.

Images by AlexAntropov86 and darksouls1 from Pixabay

Poetic form: Sonnet

I Await

I was a child when, from my bed,
I called out to you,
For I had dreamt a life of void,
Where I no longer was.
No existence, nothingness,
Was what haunted my dream.
To bear that thought, I could not,
Of no longer existing.
Fear, utterly gloomy and numbing,
Embraced me, its coldness reaching
Into the deepest part of my being.
But that fear, that agonizing fear,
You removed from me,
Then replaced it with hope.
A wonderful hope!
A true hope of redemption,
A hope of life!
Not one that disappears,
Like the mist of early dawn.
That life, that wonderful gift,
Is eternal, like the one Adam
Squandered when he selfishly
Chose to turn his back on you.
It's been years since that night,
Yet that hope still burns within me.
I know you will bring
Your promises to fruition.
Your words of comfort
Will not go unfulfilled.
Till then, I patiently wait,
No longer in fear,
No longer a terrified child
Crying on his bed,
But a man, a gray-headed man,
Who awaits your call.

Image by Pixabay

Poetic form: Free Verse

Enduring Faith

Since my youth, I have held a firm belief in the Creator. My faith in God has strengthened and supported me during trying and challenging times.

The poems on this page reflect my love and deep respect for the Creator and Universal Sovereign, Jehovah.

To read a poem, click on its thumbnail image.

Images used under Creative Commons CC0 license, permission from the copyright owner, or are part of the public domain.

Have you ever wondered:

What does the Bible reveal about God?

Why does he allow suffering?

What hope is there for all who yearn for peace?

Visit JW.org to learn the answers to these and other questions you may have.