HOPE IN GOD by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 15, 1875

HOPE IN GOD.

By Sel.

“Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

THERE'S a bright future coming, cheer up weary soul, For if thou art faithful thou'lt reach the blessed goal. The joys thou shalt cherish in glad coming years, Shall blot out the traces of past bitter tears. When distress is around thee and gloom shrouds thy way, Look beyond the dark present, there's warm, rising day; Trust thou in that One whose sweet promises are A balm for the wretched, when plead for in prayer.

When the cold rains descend on the pale forest flower, And the wild winds sweep by, and the stormy clouds lower, It bows its weak head till the fierce blast is o'er— Then looks in bright faith up to God as before,— And he who has promised the faithful his grace, Looks down on the floweret with merciful face; And sends the kind sunshine in mild, soothing gleams, To warm its cold bosom with plentiful beams.

And the gentle wild-bird, though her frail nest be torn, Many times from the bough—and its scattered sticks borne Far away by the tempest—yet still with regret, She does not despair but worketh on yet; And he, who doth list to the sparrow's low cry, Will not pass unheeding the humblest by, But he smiles in approval, and straightway the nest Holds the dear little fledglings within its soft breast.

O, man! made in wisdom, with soul high and free, In the flower and the bird there's a lesson for thee! Will thy far-seeing lore let thee sink in despair? When the dumb creature's instinct makes life's journey fair? No, no! rise thou godlike! lift up thy sad eyes Turn thy thoughts from thy sorrows, beyond the fair skies; Pray God to send down his bright hope from above, To cheer thee, and guide thee to regions of love.

—Sel.