A few weeks ago I wrote this lament for people who once we were closely with the Lord but who no longer are. It was inspired in part by the Lord’s moving words in Jeremiah 2 and 3, as He looks back to the intimacy He used to enjoy with His people, and mourns deeply that they are no longer seeking Him.

At the same time, David Booth who has featured on many of our recording events over the last fifteen years, was writing a special piece for Flamenco guitar. It’s really lovely! We called it ‘Tender Flamenco,’ and the two pieces belong beautifully together.

I am hoping that you will find ways to use ‘Still and Until’ to pray for people who once walked closely with the Lord, but who are no longer doing so. You may well want to pass the piece on to friends in your fellowships – or indeed to someone for whom it would be particularly appropriate.

Heart of my heart,
I planted you as noble vine, a seed of the highest quality.
I remember how you were, radiant in first love.
and I was with you as Friend and Lover, a Mighty Warrior who saves,
taking great delight in you,
and rejoicing over you with singing;”
but now you have turned your back and forgotten Me. (Jer. 2:21; 2-3, Zeph. 3:17)

What fault did you find in Me, and what harm have I done
that would cause you to stray so far from Me,
turning to systems that cannot fail to fail,
and building cisterns that contain no trace of My living word? (Jer. 2:5, 13)

I went to such lengths to bestow great blessings on you –
and if they had been too small, I would have added still more; (2 Sam. 12:8)
but like a thoroughbred turning up its nose,
you sought to beautify your way by the skill of your own hands (Jer. 2:32-33)
and ended up despising all that I have given you.

Will you not pause to reconsider,
and to pour out the gratitude
that used to stream from your heart,
lest all that is left be an empty shell
that you seek to fill in a thousand different ways?

I keep a chair reserved at My banquet table here in Heaven
for when you return to your Shepherd and your Guide. (Jer. 3:4)
My hand is stretched out and My Spirit allures, (Hos. 2:14-15)
but I can do no more until you are willing to acknowledge your need
and reach out Your hand once more to receive
the endless blessings that I have always had in store for you. (Jer. 3:13-14)