Poems (Shipton)/The Heavenly Friend
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THE HEAVENLY FRIEND.
I have a Friend! a precious Friend, unchanging, wise, and true,
The chief among ten thousand! oh, I wish you knew Him. too!
Encompassed by a host of foes, weary in heart and limb,
I know who waits to soothe my woe: have you a Friend like Him?
He comforts me, He strengthens me; how can I then repine?
He loveth me! This faithful Friend in life and death is mine.
The chief among ten thousand! oh, I wish you knew Him. too!
Encompassed by a host of foes, weary in heart and limb,
I know who waits to soothe my woe: have you a Friend like Him?
He comforts me, He strengthens me; how can I then repine?
He loveth me! This faithful Friend in life and death is mine.
I have a Father true and fond! He cares for all my needs;
His patience bore my faithless ways, my mad and foolish deeds;
To me He sends sweet messages; He waiteth but to bless:
Have you a Father like to mine, with such deep tenderness?
For me a kingdom doth He keep, for me a crown is won;
I was a rebel once. He calls the rebel child His son.
His patience bore my faithless ways, my mad and foolish deeds;
To me He sends sweet messages; He waiteth but to bless:
Have you a Father like to mine, with such deep tenderness?
For me a kingdom doth He keep, for me a crown is won;
I was a rebel once. He calls the rebel child His son.
I have a proved unerring Guide! whose love I often grieve,
He brings me golden promises my heart can scarce receive;
He leadeth me, and hope and cheer doth for my path provide,
For dreary nights and days of drought: have you so sure a Guide?
Quench not the faintest whisper that the heavenly Dove may bring,
He seeks with holy love to lure the wanderer 'neath His wing.
He brings me golden promises my heart can scarce receive;
He leadeth me, and hope and cheer doth for my path provide,
For dreary nights and days of drought: have you so sure a Guide?
Quench not the faintest whisper that the heavenly Dove may bring,
He seeks with holy love to lure the wanderer 'neath His wing.
I have a Home! a home so bright, its beauties none can know;
Its sapphire pavements, and such palms—none ever saw below;
Its golden streets resound with joy, its pearly gates with praise;
A temple standeth in the midst no human hands could raise;
And there unfailing fountains flow, and pleasures never end.
Who makes that home so glorious? It is my loving Friend.
Its sapphire pavements, and such palms—none ever saw below;
Its golden streets resound with joy, its pearly gates with praise;
A temple standeth in the midst no human hands could raise;
And there unfailing fountains flow, and pleasures never end.
Who makes that home so glorious? It is my loving Friend.
My Friend, my Father, and my Guide, and this our radiant home,
Are offered you. Turn not away! to-day, I pray you, "Come."
My Father yearns to welcome you, His Heart, His house, to share;
My Friend is yours, my home is yours; my Guide will lead you there:
Behold One altogether fair, the Faithful and the True!
He pleadeth with you for your love, He gave His life for you.
Are offered you. Turn not away! to-day, I pray you, "Come."
My Father yearns to welcome you, His Heart, His house, to share;
My Friend is yours, my home is yours; my Guide will lead you there:
Behold One altogether fair, the Faithful and the True!
He pleadeth with you for your love, He gave His life for you.
Oh, leave the worthless things you seek; they perish in a day.
Serve now the true and living God; from idols turn away;
Watch for the Lord, who comes to reign; enter the open door;
Give Him thy heart, thy broken heart: thou'lt ask it back no more.
Trust Him for grace, and strength, and love, and all thy troubles end:
Oh, come to Jesus! and behold in Him my loving Friend.
Serve now the true and living God; from idols turn away;
Watch for the Lord, who comes to reign; enter the open door;
Give Him thy heart, thy broken heart: thou'lt ask it back no more.
Trust Him for grace, and strength, and love, and all thy troubles end:
Oh, come to Jesus! and behold in Him my loving Friend.