Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 98

--John Greenleaf Whittier.

Faith is a grasping of Almighty power; The hand of man laid on the arm of G.o.d; The grand and blessed hour In which the things impossible to me Become the possible, O Lord, through thee.

--Anna E. Hamilton.

There is no faith in seeing. Were we led Like children here, And lifted over rock and river bed, No care, no fear, We should be useless in the busy throng, Life's work undone; Lord, make us brave and earnest, in faith strong, Till heaven is won.

The cross on Golgotha can never save Thy soul from deepest h.e.l.l; Unless with loving faith thou setts't it up Within thy heart as well.

--Scheffler, tr. by Frederic Rowland Marvin.

In vain they smite me. Men but do What G.o.d permits with different view.

To outward sight they hold the rod, But faith proclaims it all of G.o.d.

--Madame Guyon.

Talk Faith. The world is better off without Your uttered ignorance and morbid doubt.

If you have faith in G.o.d, or man, or self, Say so; if not, push back upon the shelf Of silence lower thoughts till faith shall come.

The body sins not, 'tis the will That makes the action good or ill.

--Robert Herrick.

Who never doubted, never half believed; Where doubt, there truth is--'tis her shadow.

--Philip James Bailey.

'Tis not the grapes of Canaan that repay, But the high faith that failed not by the way.

--James Russell Lowell.

No more with downcast eyes go faltering on, Alone and sick at heart, and closely pressed.

Thy chains shall break, thy heavy heart is gone, For he who calls thee, he will "give thee rest."

--Mary Lowe d.i.c.kinson.

My G.o.d, I would not live Save that I think this gross hard-seeming world Is our misshaping vision of the Powers Behind the world that make our griefs our gains.

--Alfred Tennyson.

And all is well, though faith and form Be sundered in the night of fear.

Well roars the storm to those that hear A deeper voice across the storm.

--Alfred Tennyson.

The crowd of cares, the weightiest cross, Seem trifles less than light; Earth looks so little and so low, When faith s.h.i.+nes full and bright.

--Frederick William Faber.

A faith that s.h.i.+nes by night and day Will lighten every earthly load.

Grant us, O G.o.d, in love to thee-- Clear eyes to measure things below, Faith the invisible to see, And wisdom thee in all to know.

Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt.

--William Shakespeare.

TRUST

GUIDANCE, SAFETY, GLADNESS

RESTING IN G.o.d

Since thy Father's arm sustains thee, Peaceful be; When a chastening hand restrains thee, It is he.

Know his love in full completeness Fills the measure of thy weakness; If He wound the spirit sore, Trust him more.

Without murmur, uncomplaining, In His hand.

Lay whatever things thou canst not Understand.

Though the world thy folly spurneth, From thy faith in pity turneth, Peace thy inmost soul shall fill, Lying still.

Like an infant, if thou thinkest Thou canst stand, Childlike, proudly pus.h.i.+ng back The offered hand, Courage soon is changed to fear, Strength doth feebleness appear; In his love if thou abide, He will guide.

Fearest sometimes that thy Father Hath forgot?

When the clouds around thee gather, Doubt him not.

Always hath the daylight broken; Always hath He comfort spoken; Better hath he been for years Than thy fears.

Therefore, whatsoe'er betideth, Night or day, Know His love for thee provideth Good alway.

Crown of sorrow gladly take; Grateful wear it for His sake; Sweetly bending to his will, Lying still.

To his own thy Saviour giveth Daily strength.