JOY AND PEACE IN AFFLICTION.
By William Cowper
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings:
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in His wings.
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain. In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may. It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe His people, too:
Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature but is fed;
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread. Tho vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Tho all the field should wither,
Nor flocks, nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For while, in Him confiding,
I can not but rejoice.
—William Cowper.