DIVINE GUIDANCE

LORD, when I strive to serve Thee most,

Yet toil in vain;

When I can see but labor lost,

Instead of gain;

When plans fall out another way

From what seems best,

And failure comes though I obey

Thy clear behest;

When hopes whereon I dare to lean

Thou dost deny;

When Thou forbiddest me to glean

The fields near by;

When fairest prospects, opening wide

 Before mine eyes,

Thou wallest in on every side,

And mountains rise

That faith seems powerless to remove—

Then, dearest Lord,

Draw near to me, draw near and prove

 Thy written Word!

That Thou in all things dost ordain

Thy children’s good;

That joy shall be the fruit of pain,

When understood.

I know, and yet—O, slow of heart—

 But half believe;

And when I fail, in secret smart,

 And fret and grieve,

Fill me with faith’s complete content

In Thee, O, Lord,

And make me willing to be spent

Without reward—

Of earthly sort, but heavenly gain—

To seek alone

For other’s good, by toil and pain,

Not for mine own.

And when my failures cast me down,

 Make me to rest,

In glorious hope of victor’s crown,

 Forever blest.

I would not look at “things behind”

With wistful eye;

Nor seek in earthly things to find

 A comfort nigh.            

The weary sea-bird goes to sleep

On tossing waves,

Untroubled by the storm, the deep,

In trust that saves.

It is the hallow of Thy hand

That shapes its nest;

So, though I may not understand.

 Make me to rest.

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