Poems (Shipton)/The Watch-Tower

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4502882Poems — The Watch-TowerAnna Shipton

THE WATCH-TOWER.

"Let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee."—Psalm xxv. 20.
"Thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me."—Isaiah xlix. 23.
"It will surely come, it will not tarry."—Habakkuk ii. 3.

I will stand alone on my watch-tower,
And hear what my Lord will say;
I've watched there many a midnight,
And the noon of a sultry day.
I have cast my bread on the waters;
I shall surely find it again,
Though now, to my poor heart's vision,
It seems to be all in vain.

The Lord hath His time appointed;
I know not when it may be;
But the blessing my soul is seeking
Will be given at last to me.
It may come in the silent watches,
When the world lieth weary and still;
It may come when my hope sinks lowest,
The depth of my spirit to thrill.

I know it will come. I am gazing
Into the distance afar,
As the wise men watched for the rising,
Through Eastern night, of their star:
And a star will rise on my darkness
That Herod shall ne'er destroy;
I shall know the light I have longed for,
And "rejoice with exceeding joy."

It may come in another fashion
Than e'er I pictured its ray;
It may rise o'er the dull, cold mountain,
Like the dawn of a summer's day.
It may come like the lightning flashing,
Or loud as the thunder's blast;
But the Lord, who is strong in battle,
Will answer my prayer at last.

Thou hast spoken, and Thou wilt do it:
I will tarry in hope, and see;
For none ever walked in darkness,
And waited in vain for Thee.
I know that my prayer will be answered;
The Lord never comes too late;
And the heart that will trust Him fully
Shall never be desolate.

It may come when my dust lies sleeping,
Awaiting my Saviour's call;
But my last prayer, safe in His keeping,
Will shine there fairest of all.
It may come when the enemy scoffeth,
But I will believe Thee, Lord;
For they who dwell in Thy presence,
May take their rest on Thy word.

My star—nay, Thy star, my Master!—
To shine in Thy crown so fair:
This is my hope in my sadness,
This is the strength of my prayer.
Thou workest in signs and wonders:
Thy promise shall cheer me again.
Long have I waited on Thee, Lord;
None ever waited in vain.

I will stand alone on my watch-tower,
If so I may do Thy will:
Keep me to watch for my star-rise,
Patiently watching there still.
Thou wilt answer my prayer for Thy glory,
Master beloved! Thou wilt bless,
And quicken my heart in Thy praises,
To tell of Thy faithfulness.

"Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."—Micah vii. 7.