Poems by Rebekah Smith Part 8

As Satan has in wrath come down, To bring us 'neath our Maker's frown, We must resist his course.

He'll bring beneath his dread control The doubting, disobedient soul, By his satanic force.

Where least expected his attack, To lead us to perdition back, And claim us as his own.

Alarming are his wily arts, Most fearful, too, his fiery darts, When undiscovered thrown.

Armed and equipped we must be sure, His fierce temptations to endure, His fatal snares to meet.

'Tis easy going with the tide; In Jesus Christ we must abide, And be in him complete.

There's no true consolation here, But to be holy in our sphere, From condemnation free.

When all our foes within are slain, The tempter then comes but in vain, With Heaven he'll ne'er agree.

The humble, merciful and just, In G.o.d who wholly put their trust, Shall find protection sure.

Their fortress, s.h.i.+eld and firm defense, Is naught less than Omnipotence, With strength given to endure.

Those who in G.o.d securely stand, When thousands fall at their right hand, No plague will them come nigh; They're safe 'neath Heaven's sheltering wings, 'Mid crash of worlds, all earthly things, Which will in ruin lie.

Thus guarded here, when all is o'er, They'll be with those who die no more, Forever safe in Heaven, Where all is union, peace and love, Made welcome to the courts above, Where life eternal's given.

But we are here on dangerous ground; Some will be weighed and wanting found, Will from the truth depart, Will false, delusive spirits heed, And pride and arrogance will feed, And harden still the heart.

When self, that mighty foe, prevails To conquer, every effort fails; Self will be gratified, E'en at the expense of present peace, Till conscience' warning voice will cease, And self feel justified.

And some, in view of being lost, Will self indulge, whate'er the cost, Nor think to be forgiven.

Their dearest idol bears such sway, So loved, their practice does but say, If one must go, 'tis Heaven.

A course deliberate thus pursued, Instead of having self subdued, Eternal life they'll lose.

They'll bear the burden of their guilt, For which the blood of Christ was spilt, And go the way they choose.

Justice will utter, Let them go, They've proved their final overthrow-- Their day of grace is past.

May those who're not yet given o'er, Repent, ere closed is mercy's door, And thus be saved at last.

Sustaining Grace.

Homeless was my blessed Saviour, Patient, too, mid all his grief; Why be downcast, sad, desponding, When he'll freely give relief?

Oh, 'tis not that I am homeless, Nor that I am suffering pain; But my Saviour seems hid from me, And my hope does not sustain.

I would daily have the witness, That my dear Redeemer lives; That he's interceding for me, And my every blessing gives.

Live then for this blest approval, Not one sin allow a place; G.o.d commands us to be holy, While we run the Christian race.

He is holy who hath called you; So be ye, in word and deed; To enjoy the Saviour's presence, We must to our ways take heed.

None can have this full salvation, While to one known sin a slave; Jesus came to free and pardon, And from sin his people save.

Fearless then go forth to battle, Conquering sin through Christ the Lord; He'll a.s.sist while we're obedient To the teachings of his word.

Glorious conquests have been witnessed; G.o.d for ever is the same; We may all be strong and mighty, Through his great and holy name.

Go Forward.

Stay not halting, be decided!

With G.o.d's people take your place, They who seek a home in Heaven All must run the Christian race.

Though the Red Sea is before you, And the Egyptians in the rear, Venture forward, no retreating, Linger not a moment here.

If you go, you can but perish; Onward move where G.o.d can save.

Hasten ere you're with the wicked, Sinking 'neath the swelling wave.

G.o.d here meets his trusting people, Makes a pa.s.sage through the deep, He'll display his power in saving Those who his commandments keep.

Why Art Thou Cast Down?

Why this dark depth of grief and gloom, this anguish and despair?

The unpardonable sin you mourn, is not yet yours to bear.

Why thus disquieted, cast down? Hope thou in G.o.d; he'll give The very blessing you most need; look up to him and live.

This crus.h.i.+ng weight of heartfelt grief, this flow of sorrow's tide, Will ere long bring the sad report, Of broken heart he died.

G.o.d knows what has befallen you, knows why the sore event; Wait until he shall show you why this bitter cup was sent.

Be at your post, where'er it be; the claims of life fulfill.

Be no one act or motive wrong; heed Heaven's own bidding still.

Then let the hail sweep o'er your path, let storms in fury rise, G.o.d will in safety bring you through to mansions in the skies.

He's at the helm, he'll guide the s.h.i.+p through every dangerous strait, And make you welcome when within the holy city's gate.

No bitter scenes of heartfelt grief, though now with anguish riven, Will meet you in that world of bliss, the holy calm of Heaven.

Trust.

My cause is with my blessed Lord, he does my footsteps guide; He's led me in an unknown way, and laid my plans aside; He's hedged up all my well-laid schemes, or what seemed so to me, And oh! what wisdom I behold, now his designs I see.

I'll glory in his holy name, and pray, Lord guide me still; In each event submission learn, and sink into his will.

His will is welcome, tho' it lay each earthly prospect low; G.o.d is too wise to err, and will what's best for us bestow.