So purer light shall mark the road II. JEHOVAH-JIREH. THE LORD WILL THE saints should never be dismay'd, For when they least expect his aid, The Saviour will appear. f This Abraham found: he raised the knife; Behold the victim there." Once David seem'd Saul's certain prey; When Jonah sunk beneath the wave, He thought to rise no more;† But God prepared a fish to save, And bear him to the shore. Blest proofs of power and grace divine, May every deep-felt care of mine Be trusted with the Lord. Wait for his seasonable aid, * 1 Sam. xxiii. 27. † Jonah i. 17. III. JEHOVAH-ROPHI. I AM THE LORD HEAL us, Emmanuel, here we are, Our faith is feeble, we confess, Remember him who once applied, "Lord, I believe," with tears he cried,* She too, who touch'd thee in the press, Was answer'd, "Daughter, go in peace,† Conceal'd amid the gathering throng, She would have shunn'd thy view; Like her, with hopes and fears we come, * Mark ix. 24. † Mark v. 34, IV. JEHOVAH-NISSI. THE LORD MY BANNER.-Exod. xvii. 15. By whom was David taught To aim the deadly blow, And laid the Gittite low? Nor sword nor spear the stripling took, "Twas Israel's God and king Ye feeble saints, your strength endures, Who order'd Gideon forth, To storm the invaders' camp, A pitcher and a lamp? * The trumpets made his coming known, Oh! I have seen the day, When, with a single word, God helping me to say, My trust is in the Lord, My soul hath quell'd a thousand foes, But unbelief, self-will, Self-righteousness, and pride, How often do they steal My weapon from my side! * Judges vii. 9 and 20, Yet David's Lord, and Gideon's friend, V. JEHOVAH-SHALOM. THE LORD SEND PEACE.-Judges vi. 24. JESUS, whese blood so freely stream'd, To reconcile offending man, Make Justice drop her angry rod; What creature could have form'd the plan, Or who fulfil it but a God? No drop remains of all the curse, For wretches who deserved the whole; Peace by such means so dearly bought, Now, Lord, thy feeble worm prepare! They hate the soul that hates his sins. Let them in horrid league agree! VI. WISDOM.-Prov. viii. 22-31. ERE God had built the mountains, When, like a tent to dwell in, He spread the skies abroad, Thus Wisdom's words discover Of our unworthy race! Ere stars were seen above; In wisdom thou hast made us, And died for us in love. And couldst thou be delighted Who, when we saw thee, slighted Unfathomable wonder, And mystery divine! The voice that speaks in thunder, Says, "Sinner, I am thine!" |