Wednesay – Poetry: “On His Blindness” by John Milton

Blind Milton dictating "Paradis Lost" to his daughters,, by Delacroix1827 or 1828 PUBLIC DOMAIN

• This poem inspired me when I retired in 2011

  
  

• The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel in 538 BC to tell him when Jesus was coming.

• In 5 BC he appeared again to Zechariah and the Virgin Mary.

• What do you suppose he was doing during those 533 years?

• The Bible doesn[t say, perhaps he had other jobs, if not, he stood and waited.

  
  

Jesus gave me this strategy when I retired in 2011: STAND & WAIT. It comforts and guides me.

When I consider how my light is spent

Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,

And that one talent which is death to hide

Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent

To serve therewith my Maker, and present

My true account, lest he returning chide,

"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"

I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent

That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need

Either man's work or his own gifts: who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed

And post o'er land and ocean without rest:

They also serve who only stand and wait."

Reflection

Milton, blind at mid-life, wrestled with what you and I both know: that usefulness before God is not measured by activity, but by faithfulness.He feared his light was “spent,” yet Patience reminded him — “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

For those of us slowed by illness, age, or eye trouble, this is a word of comfort: service is not suspended by limitation; it is purified by it.

When we can no longer labor as before, we can still trust, pray, and shine inwardly.The same God who spoke to Balaam and healed through Moses’ serpent still speaks to the waiting heart.

Closing Thought on Milton's poem

“Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5 : 24

Even in the quiet hours, God’s work continues.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Thom¬as O. Chis¬holm, 1923

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

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