JESUS KNOWS | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1872

JESUS KNOWS.

I cannot understand, when o'er Time's Ocean My life-barque sailed, Why tempests came, and why in dim confusion My way seemed vailed. The reasons are not very clear to my weak vision; I look in vain For that fair port and those fields Elysian I thought to gain. But this is plain: God saw it best, and therefore The storm arose; And though I cannot see the why and wherefore, Yet Jesus knows.

I cannot tell why, when the day seemed clearest, Dark clouds should lower; Or why the hopes that my fond heart held dearest Failed in that hour. I know not why the morning's glorious shining Was vailed ere noon, Or why the fragrant garlands love was twining Should fade so soon. But this I know, though God his whys and wherefores Does not disclose, His purposes are ever best, and therefore My Jesus knows.

I know not now—but Jesus knows—why shadows Shut out the light; Why treasures we deemed deathless fell so soon The touch of blight; Why hearts we leaned our own against, believing That truth held sway, Crushed our fond, trusting love with dread deceiving, Darkening our way,— I cannot tell—but God the why and wherefore May yet disclose; He doeth all things well—and therefore My Jesus knows.

—Anon.