A Visit From the Tempter

 

 A Visit from the Tempter

A Poem

 By Joshua Dorey

 

 

 

 

The Tempter is always near.

If you listen on a good day,

you can hear his whispers and footsteps.

For he is always working and scheming,

even in the light of day.

 

Surely, he has taken many down with comfort and play.

Or has caused many to fall away

with the slightest bit of disarray.

He has puffed many up,

busying them with the task of navel-gazing.

 

Oh, how his greatest pleasure and proudest work

 can be found when the LORD’s saints

are battling the Dark Night of the Soul

 

The Tempter whispers:

“Why should you endure all this pain?”

“Is this the Father’s love, that He would let this be?”

“Why should you go on allowing

the Father to cause your suffering?”

“Surely, there is no way you belong to Him.”

 

“Would it not be better to take charge,

to end the suffering by taking your life?

You might be unable to control the narrative,

but why not control your story’s ending?”

 

“Surely, it would be more pleasurable to slit a wrist,

than having to endure all of this.”

“How about dosing yourself with alcohol and pills?”

“Surely, it would be better than suffering’s thrills?”

 

“If that is not your flavour, reward

yourself with an evening’s drive.

Crash at full speed through the guardrail-

experience the rivers cold plunder.”

 

I cry out to The Tempter,

“It is the LORD who numbers my days.

For he knows my comings and goings.

Only the LORD has authority to determine

who lives and who dies,

for it is he who kills and resurrects.

For my portion and life--my LORD will always be.”

 

The Tempter flees, but after a short while

he makes his grand return.

 

“Is not wine and liquor a gift from the LORD?”

“Yet why do you rob yourself of joy and pleasure

by being so reserved, setting limits and boundaries?”

 

“You love Whiskey, Rum, and Gin,

for they have been such good friends.”

“Yet when you sense you are getting a glow,

afraid of getting carried away,

you are quick to put it away or leave the bar.”

 

“Don’t you owe it to yourself

to let loose, to go out and play?

Surely, the LORD would understand

if you grabbed the bottle 

and pulled the throttle--

let the night light take you away.”

 

“Maybe you might pass out at the bar.

Or it might be bliss,

when you find yourself waking 

beneath the covers with a new miss.

This will be our little secret.

No one will ever have to know.”

 

I stare at my Tempter and shout:

“The LORD says don’t be drunk with wine,

for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

Satan why would you have betray my Divine?

For I have tasted and seen---

I proclaim the LORD is better than wine”

 

The Tempter took a step back to stroke his chin.

He looks at me with clever in his eyes

And says, “Let me ask you this:

 

Will you grant yourself one night

of delight and pleasure,

to taste the nectar of a foreign lover?

To get lost in her sweet lips,

Her plumped breasts and loosen hips --

She waits for you to find her.

 

For why should you torture yourself by

honouring your vows to your lover,

when she has forsaken you,

in the pursuit of something better?

For she has laughed at your vows,

and chosen to forget her own.

She has abandoned your love

and left you to die of loneliness.

 

Therefore, make haste--- go now!

And find your new lover, at least for tonight.

I promise that you won’t have to go very far,

for there is one now waiting for you at the bar. 

If you strike out there, I have Sally

waiting down that sketchy alley.

If that does not tighten your trousers,

return home, there are plenty,

lying and waiting to be found

on your computer's internet browsers.”

 

I tighten my jaw and lock in on my Tempter.

“Oh you miserable Tempter,

will you ever be satisfied with the souls you claim?

Though you distract many with good comforts

and the plunder of their labours.

Oh how you have decreed,

to make it your life’s mission

to take out the ones who proclaim:

 

'In the LORD’s presence there is fullness of joy,

at your right hand are pleasures forever more.

It is through many tribulations

We must enter the kingdom of God.'

 

The Tempter grew silent.

He becomes bored and leaves.

After many tears, I fall asleep.

 

The dawn breaks and morning arrives.

for the Light has broken through the Darkness.

The Darkness flees, for it knows

it is no match for the presence of The Light.

 

I  awaken to the aroma of fresh grace and mercy,

for in His delight,

 the LORD has prepared for me in galore.

The LORD says to me, “Take, eat, and be restored.”

For He desires that I would taste

And enjoy Him forevermore.