I recently watched a recitation from memory of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 by Dame Judi Dench the marvelous English actor. She was quite moved by this sonnet and one could see tears as she read it. It speaks to one in despair. One crying out to a deaf heaven. But in the end remembering their beloved and having their spirits lifted. Remembering and grasping a love of such immense wealth that the speaker feels enough content to scorn trading places with a king.
It should be noted that Shakespeare in his will said, “I command my soul into the hands of God my Creator, hoping and believing, through the merits of Jesus Christ my savior, to be made partaker of life everlasting.”
Sonnet 29:
“When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to no one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
(Like to the lark at break of day arising from sullen earth)
Sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.”
In this sonnet we can hear the cries of David in Psalm 13 where he asks the Lord, “How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Yet he says I will trust in Your mercy. Or in Psalm 30 where David cries to the Lord saying, “You hid your face and I was troubled.” Yet he still hopes in God. And Psalm 31 where David cries to the Lord saying, “You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities but ends with “He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
We are in troubling times. There are those that go about proclaiming His word but walk contrary to all God has commanded. We are told that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Against rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness. (Ephesians 6) But still this battle against that which seeks to set up a kingdom of demonic forces making its presence known in Christian nationalism and maga Christianity has become oppressively wearisome. I have to remind myself who I trust in. I know the end of this battle. Yet the constant and increasing evil seen daily in this country can cause spiritual fatigue. I daily recite Psalm 130:5-6 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord, More than those who watch for the morning- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.” We must pray without ceasing. In all things I seek Him. Stand. Blessings.
Stand My Watch 