1 If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength whate'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days;
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the Rock that nought can move.
2 What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help, if thou bewail thee
O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.
3 Only be still, and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er our Father's pleasure
And all-discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.
4 He knows the time for joy, and truly
Will send it when He sees it meet.
When He has only tried us throughly,
And finds us free from all deceit,
Then cometh He all unaware,
And makes us own His loving care.
5 Nor think amid the heat of trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred;
Time passes, and much change doth bring,
And sets a bound to every thing.
6 All are alike before the Highest;
'Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low;
True wonders still by Him are wrought,
Who setteth up and brings to nought.
7 Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
So do thine own part faithfully,
And trust His word; though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook at need
The heart that trusted Him indeed.