For a Time Like This: Mighty Hand

A music podcast featuring the song “A Mighty Hand,” written, performed, and recorded by Rob Kwade from his home, with additional vocals courtesy of Rachel Sutton. The song is  inspired by the story of the prophet Elijah at the Wadi Cherith, told in 1 Kings 17:1-24.

This portion of Elijah’s narrative includes the story of the prophet’s sojourn outside of Israel at the home of the the widow of Zarephath, portrayed in this painting by the Italian painter and engraver Bernardo Strozzi,  (1581 – 1644).

 A Mighty Hand

 There's a mighty hand, sitting in this tree
Like a blackbird waiting patiently, waiting to meet the need
There's a mighty hand, both day and night
Nesting in the wind, waiting for flight, renews our failing sight
 
There's a flowing stream, for all those who thirst
In a time of drought, a place to drink, a way to break the curse
There's the bread and oil, that will never end
For the widow and the dying child, blessed to life again
 
There's a mighty hand, that moves aside the veil
To reveal our hidden, shimmering face, to finally break the seal
A hint of our glory, a yearning to fulfill
Sons given back, our daughters restored, mysteries revealed
 
Every body in decay, every gambler who can't repay
Every prodigal's return, all the skeptics who want to learn
Every face changed by a fist, every recruit who makes the list
Every drunk who can't make it home, all this flesh that needs some bone
 
There's a mighty hand