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WAITING

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 23.

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WAITING

How long, O Lord! My fainting soul grows weary Beneath its weight of earthly care each day, And sometimes all around seems cold and dreary, And threatening clouds o'erhang my toilsome way; With hand and heart o'erburdened, shall I dare To mingle low complaining with my prayer!
Oh, let me now the wondrous peace inherit! Dispel the darkness—crush the tempter's power; Unbind these chains that hold my struggling spirit, Reveal Heaven's glorious light one blessed hour,— And from the boundless treasures of thy grace Help me to end the conflict—win the race.
Presumptuous prayer! O weak and stubborn mortal! Behold the cross, the scourge, the thorny crown, The shadow, darkening even Heaven's portal, Then cast thy vain imaginations down; Thou canst not gain the victory but through strife, Only through death's dark gate we enter life.
Enough. Here in my weakness lowly bending; Each fond desire, each vain regret be still— Dear Lord, once more in pity condescending, Low in the dust lay my rebellious will; The day will not be long if thou art near, Nor will the darkest night awaken fear.
Thou who did'st make the hard, cold earth thy pillow; Teach me in patience still my watch to keep; In midnight darkness on the foaming billow, Or where still waters in green pastures sleep; Through fire by night, or stormy cloud by day, Still let me keep thine own appointed way. —Sel.