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He Knows

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 28, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 48.

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He Knows

By Brainerd

I KNOW not what may befall me, God tenderly shades my eyes; And so each step in my onward path He makes new scenes to arise; And every joy he sends me comes As a strange and sweet surprise.
I see not a step before me, Yet I journey without a fear; The past is still in God's keeping, The future his mercy will clear; And what looks dark in the distance May brighten as I draw near;
For perhaps the dreaded future Has less bitter than I think: The Lord may sweeten the waters Before I stoop to drink; Or if Marah must be Marah, He will stand beside the brink.
It may be he has waiting For the coming of my feet Some gift of such rare blessedness, Some joy so passing sweet, That my lips will only tremble With the thanks they can not speak.
O, restful, blissful ignorance! 'Tis blessed not to know; It keeps me still in those loving arms That will not let me go; And it hushes my soul to rest On the Friend that loves me so.
I journey on not knowing (Heb. 11: 8) — I would not if I might; I should rather walk in the dark with God Than walk alone in the light; I should rather walk with him by faith Than walk alone by sight.
My heart shrinks back from trials That the future may disclose; Yet I never had a sorrow But what the dear Lord chose; So I send the coming tear-drops back, With the whispered words, “He knows.”
— Brainerd.