The Keeper of My Dream

“They hurt his feet with fetters,

He was laid in irons.

Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.”

Psalm 105:18-19

tonight, Lord Jesus, I pray

that you would unlock the chains that have bound me

for I remember long ago

the dream that arose from my heart

and how I reached out with hope and received it

claimed it as my own

a willing receiver, I believed

and I recall, how we drove down that highway

you and me

and the dream was so alive in my heart

this journey we embarked on together

this magnificent quest, yes, I believed

I knew the journey would not be easy

but who knew it would be this hard?

who knew I’d end up this broken?

who knew I’d lift beseeching hands to You

in such desperate moments?

they have plowed down my back

and made their furrows long

they’ve stripped me bare

my soul has been made gaunt

and I can only breathe with heavy sighs

my God, my God, why?

they have clapped my feet in irons

bound my hands in shackles

led me out like a sheep to the slaughter

when I open my mouth I voice out my complaint

in the privacy of prayers I make loud my anger

and lash out at You

yet, I still lift my voice to heaven

with this burden that has been laid on my back

I have borne some defeats

been dealt some setbacks

but I arise another day

to write the vision down and make it plain

even though now my soul is limping

and I need You now more than I thought I needed You then

I pray, let me run again with my vision

may I arise to the glorious day

cause if it comes to pass it’s going to have to be You

for heaped upon me is my own brokenness

and I can barely lift my head

dear Jesus, answer me

come to me tonight and break off the shackles of my shame

be the fulfillment of my dream

once again, command my destiny

may the trial be over, the testing complete

for in You all things have been perfected

I offer to You

the tattered remnants of the dream You gave me

please write a new chapter in my story

bring me out into a spacious land

a land of rich fulfillment

be the keeper of my dream

“‘They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,’ 
    let Israel say

‘they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.

Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.

But the Lord is righteous; 
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.’”

Psalm 129:1-4