Praise You When It's Dark

In a town torn by war and fear,
Families hid as danger drew near.
Huddled in caves, afraid to roam,
Longing for light, for peace, for home.

Children sighed and missed the day
when joy and laughter led their way.
Natania clung to Grandfather’s side,
"How long must we in darkness hide?"

"You said three days... it's been much more."
She stared in silence at the shelter door.
“Shall we make a wish list?” he softly said.
She nodded, leaning near his bed.

“I want to run beneath the sun,
to laugh, to play, to simply have fun.
I want my bed, a pillow, light
a glass of milk to warm the night.”

He smiled, though weak, and gently spoke,
“When things are dark, we sing we hope.
As it is written,” he softly said,
His voice like comfort beside her bed:

“In the Scriptures Acts 16:22–26
Paul and Silas were beaten and bound
In chains, in prison, behind cold stone
Yet still they praised the Lord alone.

‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed,
and sang praises unto God,’ unafraid.
The prisoners listened in the gloom,
as praises filled the prison room.

Then came a quake the prison shook,
the doors flew wide, the chains unhooked!
‘Every one’s bands were loosed,’ it’s said
and all walked free, no fear, no dread.”

“Will God send angels if I sing?”
She asked, her voice a trembling thing.
“He might,” said Grandfather. “If  He saved them,
He'll hear you too just sing again.”

So day by day, though hunger grew,
the little girl sang soft and true.
“Wake up, Grandfather,” she would say,
“Let’s sing so angels find our way.”

“Don’t stop,” he whispered, voice like dust,
“Just sing, and in the Lord we trust.”

Meanwhile, a rescue team pressed on,
through broken ground from dusk till dawn.
A soldier paused, his heart turned still
“I hear a song... so faint, so real.”

They followed hope through dirt and stone,
a child’s voice so soft, alone.
And when they found her, weak but bright,
still singing gently through the night

She smiled and whispered, “Look, they came
the angels knew my voice by name.”

They lifted her and Grandpa slow,
with tears of thanks that soon did flow.
“Give praise to God,” the old man said.
She bowed her heart, then raised her head

And sang once more with all her love,
to her faithful God above.