Could I But

For I know my transgressions,

And my sin is ever before me (Psalm 51:3, NIV).

One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek . . .

to behold the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4).

Could I but see that face I’d know 

So deep inside me beauty lives,

And all the ugliness I’ve done

Would be reformed, informed by love.

Could I but hear that voice of His — 

Like some bell sounding well below

The walled resistance of my mind — 

At last I would obey His law.

Could I but feel His touch on me

My sickness would be swept out clean —

The fever broken, shame flushed free —

And I would be a child again.

– James Sale