God Knows the Best

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1915

I SAW SATAN, AS LIGHTNING, FALL FROM HEAVEN

God Knows the Best

SOMETIME, when all life's lessons have been learned And sun and stars forevermore have set, The things which our weak judgments here have spurned, The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet, Will flash before us out of life's dark night, As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue; And we shall see how all God's plans were right, And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh, God's plans go on as best for you and me; How, when we called, he heeded not our cry, Because his wisdom to the end could see. And even as prudent parents disallow Too much of sweet to craving babyhood, So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now Life's sweetest things, because it seemeth good.

And if sometimes, commingled with life's wine, We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink, Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine Pours out this potion for our lips to drink. If we could push ajar the gates of life, And stand within, and all God's workings see, We could interpret all this doubt and strife And for each mystery could find a key.

But not today. Then be content, poor heart! God's plans, like lilies pure and white, unfold; We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart, Time will reveal the chalice of gold. And if through patient toil we reach the land Where tired feet with sandals loose may rest, When we shall clearly know and understand, I think that we will say, "God knew the best." —Selected.