Out of Darkness

From Mary Ellyn Lambert...

My father-in-law loved to write poetry.  I was privileged to read one of his poems today at his funeral service.  I was fearful that I would cry as I read the poem.  God answer my prayer as well as the prayers of others that I would read his poem strong and clear.  As I walked up to the pulpit  with Dick lying in the open casket below peace descended upon me.  I read Dick's poem strong and clear.  He wrote this poem in 1949 when he was 29 years old.

Out of Darkness

Once when darkness held the earth
And silence seemed to be complete,
I heard a gentle voice exclaim;
“Even death is not defeat!”
I arose from a troubled pillow then
And turned to seek the source
Of these soothing words of wisdom
Whispered with unaccustomed force.

Not a thought gave I the darkness;
In a way I seemed to know
That the author of this message
Needed not a lamp’s wan glow
To be seen and recognized.
For all the darkness of despair
Or all the sunless hours unnumbered –
There was light and light to spare.

Quickly then my troubles lifted
And my cares were swept away,
For I then observed the speaker
Was the radiant Prince of day –
Risen from the loins of David;
Yet the blessed Son of God –
Earth’s salvation and forever
Jesus Christ, the perfect Lord!

Now the darkness has subsided
For all time and I am free
To taste that fruited vineyard
Where ‘twas destined I should be.
Nor can shadows be so deep
As to deprive me of my sight;
This is mine and mine to keep,
This warm, eternal, inner light!

Richard D. Lambert
1949