And the Sun Stood Still

Joshua fought the long, hard conflict,
  Fought it long throughout the day;
But the day proved short to inflict
  Victory on the foes and fray.
So turned to heav'n imploring,
  Asking sun and moon to halt;
God replied with grace outpouring,
  Pausing things within their vault!
 
  And the Sun stood still!
  For it was God's will;
  And His people thrilled
     At the Mercy that He gave.



There the king had lain in sickness,
  Near he drew to death's cold door;
Then he cried with soul's dread bleakness,
  And to the Lord his soul did pour.
"After all I have done for You
  Will I now to death draw nigh?"
God replied in answer true,
  "See your answer's in the sky!"
 
  And the Sun reversed!
  God undid that curse;
  Illness was reversed
     Ah, the Mercy that He gave!



Long the blind man sat in darkness,
  Coveting his daily bread;
Dearth was real, the utter starkness,
  He must gather or he'd be dead.
Then the noise grabbed his attention,
  Crowds approach—Oh, it was Jesus!
He shouted loud against convention;
  They hushed him, "Don't displease us!"
 
  And the Son stood still!
  For it was God's will;
  Bartemaeus thrilled
     At the Mercy that He gave.

- D. Benning