JOY IN TRIBULATION by Mrs. M. Stratton Beers

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 11, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 47.

JOY IN TRIBULATION.

By Mrs. M. Stratton Beers

BY MRS. M. STRATTON BEERS.

"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Heb. 12:6.

Он, blessed bit of comfort, that comes to aching heart, When the way is hedged with darkness, and we only see a part, And we're left to grope in blindness, perchance for many a day, Till our hands hang down with weakness, and we tremble all the way,— To know that those He loveth He toucheth with chastening hand, And only the son whom He scourgeth can enter the promised land.

Oh, wonderful bit of knowledge, whate'er the sorrow may be, Though even my friend familiar proves false in heart to me, Or tongue of slander tarnish that I hold most dear—my name— Or disease be sent to shatter this feeble mortal frame,— I know 'tis those He loveth He toucheth with chastening hand, And only the son whom He scourgeth can enter the promised land.

There is "joy in tribulation," though the storms come thick and fast, And we cry in utter anguish until each be overpast; For only with God's permission could seeming ill befall, And the hand that quick restraineth doth underlie it all; While only those He loveth He toucheth with chastening hand, And only the son whom He scourgeth can enter the promised land.