Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 102

--William Cowper.

TRUSTING G.o.d

Whoever plants a leaf beneath the sod, And waits to see it push away the clod, He trusts in G.o.d.

Whoever says, when clouds are in the sky, "Be patient, heart; light breaketh by and by,"

He trusts in G.o.d.

Whoever sees 'neath winter's field of snow The silent harvest of the future grow, G.o.d's power must know.

Whoever lies down on his couch to sleep, Content to lock each sense in slumber deep, Knows G.o.d will keep.

TRUST IN G.o.d

The child leans on its parent's breast, Leaves there its cares and is at rest; The bird sits singing by his nest, And tells aloud His trust in G.o.d, and so is blest 'Neath every cloud.

He has no store, he sows no seed; Yet sings aloud, and doth not heed; By flowing stream or gra.s.sy mead, He sings to shame Men, who forget, in fear of need, A Father's name.

The heart that trusts for ever sings, And feels as light as it had wings; A well of peace within it springs; Come good or ill.

Whate'er to-day, to-morrow, brings, It is his will.

--Isaac Williams.

NO FEARS

Give to the winds thy fears; Hope, and be undismayed; G.o.d hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; G.o.d shall lift up thy head.

Through waves, and clouds, and storms, He gently clears thy way; Wait thou his time, so shall this night Soon end in joyous day.

Still heavy is thy heart?

Still sink thy spirits down?

Cast off the weight, let fear depart, And every care be gone.

What though thou rulest not?

Yet heaven, and earth, and h.e.l.l Proclaim, "G.o.d sitteth on the throne, And ruleth all things well."

Leave to his sovereign sway To choose and to command: So shalt thou, wondering, own his way, How wise, how strong his hand!

Far, far above thy thought, His counsel shall appear, When fully he the work hath wrought That caused thy needless fear.

--Paul Gerhardt.

SIMPLE TRUST

I do not know why sin abounds Within this world so fair, Why numerous discordant sounds Destroy the heavenly air-- I can't explain this thing, I must Rely on G.o.d in simple trust.

I do not know why pain and loss Oft fall unto my lot.

Why I must bear the heavy cross When I desire it not-- I do not know, unless 'tis just To teach my soul in G.o.d to trust.

I know not why the evil seems Supreme on every hand: Why suffering flows in endless streams I do not understand-- Solution comes not to adjust These mysteries. I can but trust.

I do not know why grief's dark cloud Bedims my sunny sky, The tear of bitterness allowed To swell within my eye-- But, sorrow-stricken to the dust, I will look up to G.o.d and trust.

--R. F. Mayer.

ALL IS YOURS

O foolish heart, be still!

And vex thyself no more!

Wait thou for G.o.d, until He open pleasure's door.

Thou knowest not what is good for thee, But G.o.d doth know-- Let him thy strong reliance be, And rest thee so.

He counted all my days, And every joy and tear, Ere I knew how to praise, Or even had learned to fear.

Before I him my Father knew He called me child; His help has guarded me all through This weary wild.

The least of all my cares Is not to him unknown-- He sees and he prepares The pathway for his own; And what his hand a.s.signs to me, That serves my peace; The greatest burden it might be, Yet joys increase.

I live no more for earth; Nor seek my full joy here; The world seems little worth When heaven is s.h.i.+ning clear.

Yet joyfully I go my way So free, so blest!

Sweetening my toil from day to day With thoughts of rest.

Give me, my Lord, whate'er Will bind my heart to thee; For that I make my prayer, And know thou hearest me!

But all that might keep back my soul-- Make thee forgot-- Though of earth-good it were the whole, O give it not!

When sickness, pains, distress, And want doth follow fear, And men their hate express, My sky shall still be clear.

Then wait I, Lord, and wait for thee; And I am still, Though mine should unaccomplished be, Do thou thy will!

Thou art the strength and stay Of every weary soul; Thy wisdom rules the way Thy pity does control.

What ill can happen unto me When thou art near?

Thou wilt, O G.o.d, my keeper be; I will not fear.

--Christian F. Gellert (1715-1769).

I SHALL NOT WANT

I shall not want: in desert wilds Thou spreadst thy table for thy child; While grace in streams, for thirsting souls, Through earth and heaven forever rolls.

I shall not want: my darkest night Thy lovely smile shall fill with light; While promises around me bloom, And cheer me with divine perfume.

I shall not want: thy righteousness My soul shall clothe with glorious dress; My blood-washed robe shall be more fair Than garments kings or angels wear.

I shall not want: whate'er is good Of daily bread or angels' food Shall to my Father's child be sure, So long as earth and heaven endure.