How Much Longer?

I’ve been dragged out to sea;
My feet no longer touch the bottom.
As the waves crash over me,
I’m beset with thoughts most solemn.

How much longer can I fight the rip?
When will I sink under?
Infirmity’s current has me in its grip;
When will my strength give out I wonder?

Months of sickness have become years;
Each day is darkened by pain.
My eyes have dried up; I’ve no more tears.
I’ve become accustomed to the strain.

Alas, such is the life of man;
Suffering in this world abounds.
Hardly has one’s life began,
Before, for deep sorrow, one has grounds.

But come what may I still have hope,
For I’ve passed from death to life.
If I were left alone to in the dark grope,
I’d be overwhelmed by fear and strife.

But for good reason I have peace,
And have come to weep less often.
I know soon the waves will cease,
When I’m laid to rest in a coffin.

Because of my Lord Jesus,
I have peace with and from God.
From chains of sin and death He frees us,
Because in our place He faced the rod

For my sin He suffered and died;
And with His blood fully paid my debt.
Now, though I am sorely tried,
In the midst of sorrow, with joy, I’ve met.

I’m only human and I struggle,
With the suffering of this present time.
But as I tread the waters of this world’s rubble,
I look forward to life sublime.

On the day my strength gives out,
Under the weight of infirmity’s rip current.
I will enter Heaven, leap and shout.
For me, death and true life are concurrent.

So I say, let the breakers roar;
Come now sickness, do your worst.
Clear sight of my Savior is what’s in store;
So pull me under; quench my thirst.

How much longer will it be?
It is not for us to know.
But for the love of Him Who died on a tree,
Let’s be faithful till upward we go.

Hallelujah to the Lord;
Jesus Christ, from the dead, is risen.
From Heaven on high His grace is poured,
And from Him we’ll never be riven.