Chapter 46
Sit still, my child. 'Tis no great thing I ask, No glorious deed, no mighty task; But just to sit and patiently abide.
Wait in my presence, in my word confide,
"But oh! dear Lord, I long the sword to wield, Forward to go, and in the battle field To fight for thee, thine enemies o'erthrow, And in thy strength to vanquish every foe.
"The harvest-fields spread out before me lie, The reapers toward me look, and vainly cry-- 'The field is white, the laborers are few; Our Lord's command is also sent to you,'"
My child, it is a sweet and blessed thing To rest beneath the shadow of my wing; To feel thy doings and thy words are naught, To trust to me each restless, longing thought.
"Dear Lord, help me this lesson sweet to learn, To sit at thy pierced feet and only yearn To love thee better, Lord, and feel that still Waiting is working, if it be thy will."
THE QUIET MIND
I have a treasure which I prize; The like I cannot find; There's nothing like it in the earth: It is a quiet mind.
But 'tis not that I'm stupefied, Or senseless, dull, or blind: 'Tis G.o.d's own peace within my soul Which forms my quiet mind.
I found this treasure at the Cross.
'Tis there to every kind Of heavy-laden, weary souls Christ gives a quiet mind.
My Saviour's death and risen life To give this were designed; And that's the root and that's the branch, Of this my quiet mind.
The love of G.o.d within my heart My heart to his doth bind; This is the mind of heaven on earth; This is my quiet mind.
I've many a cross to take up now, And many left behind; But present trials move me not, Nor shake my quiet mind.
And what may be to-morrow's cross I never seek to find; My Saviour says, Leave that to Me, And keep a quiet mind.
And well I know the Lord hath said, To make my heart resigned, That mercy still shall follow such As have this quiet mind.
I meet with pride
I'm waiting now to see the Lord, Who's been to me so kind: I want to thank him face to face For this my quiet mind.
MY HEART IS RESTING
My heart is resting, O my G.o.d; I will give thanks and sing: My heart is at the secret source Of every precious thing.
Now the frail vessel Thou hast made No hand but thine shall fill-- The waters of the earth have failed, And I am thirsty still.
I thirst for springs of heavenly life, And here all day they rise; I seek the treasure of Thy love, And close at hand it lies.
And a "new song" is in my mouth, To long-loved music set-- Glory to Thee for all the grace I have not tasted yet.
I have a heritage of joy That yet I must not see; The hand that bled to make it mine Is keeping it for me.
There is a certainty of love That sets my heart at rest; A calm a.s.surance for to-day That to be poor is best!
A prayer reposing on His truth, Who hath made all things mine; That draws my captive will to him, And makes it one with thine.
--Anna Let.i.tia Waring.
KEPT IN PERFECT PEACE
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The voice of Jesus whispers Peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrow surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but rest is found.
Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus' keeping we are safe, and they.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
It is enough: earth's struggles now do cease, And Jesus calls us to heaven's perfect peace.
--Edward Henry Bickersteth.
PERFECT PEACE
Like a river glorious is G.o.d's perfect peace; Over all victorious in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above, Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love, We may trust him fully, all for us to do; They who trust him wholly find him wholly true.
--Frances Ridley Havergal.
ABIDING
In heavenly love abiding, No change my heart shall fear And safe is such confiding, For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid, But G.o.d is round about me, And can I be dismayed?
Whenever he may guide me, No want shall turn me back; My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim, He knows the way he taketh, And I will walk with him.
Green pastures are before me, Which yet I have not seen; Bright skies will soon be o'er me Where darkest clouds have been.