Poems (Shipton)/The Living God

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4502885Poems — The Living GodAnna Shipton

THE LIVING GOD.

"Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."—Rev. i. 17, 18.

God lives! Then why should I despond,
As if no help were near?
He knows the sorrows of my heart;
He chose my portion here:
Therefore my grief to Him I bring,
And tell my Saviour everything.

Psalm xxxiv. 15.

God sees! I cannot weep unseen;
Then why do I complain?
He numbers every tear; He knows
The cause of all my pain;
He looks upon my misery,
And He will surely comfort me.

Isaiah lxv. 24.

God hears, though listen none beside!
Then wherefore do I fear?
As if my cry could fail to reach
My God's attentive ear:
"Amen" with my petition blends,
And swift deliverance He sends.

Isaiah xlii. 16.

God leads! Then, my soul, thy path
In patient hope pursue!
The world lays snares around my feet,
But Christ will guard me through:
And though mysteriously He guide,
My hand in His, I cannot slide.

Luke xi. 13.

God gives! Then why, my soul, so poor?
And thy provision scant?
When God the Giver is so rich,
Why dost thou pine in want?
Though in a desert land I be,
My Shepherd can provide for me.

1 Thess. v. 24.

God lives! Behold Him everywhere.
God hears! Then call for aid.
God sees, and numbers every tear!
God leads! Be not afraid.
God lives and loves; and grace He'll give,
That thou eternally with Him mayst live!

From the German.