All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. " Psalm
THEY are HIS billows, whether they go o'er us
Hiding His face in smothering spray and foam
Or smooth and sparkling, spread at path before us
And to our haven bear us safely home.
They are HIS billows, whether for our succor
He walks across them, stilling all our fear
Or to our cry there comes no aid nor answer
And in the lonely silence none is near.
They are HIS billows, whether we are toiling
Through tempest-driven waves that never cease
While deep to deep with clamor loud is calling
Or at His word they hush themselves in peace.
They are HIS billows, whether He divides them
Making us walk dryshod where seas had flowed
Or lets tumultuous breakers surge about us
Rushing unchecked across our only road.
They are HIS billows, and He brings us through them
So He has promised, so His love will do.
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through.
Annie Johnson Flint
Stand up in the place where the dear Lord has put you, and there do your best. God gives us trial tests. He puts life before us as an antagonist face to face. Out of the buffeting of a serious conflict we are expected to grow strong. The tree that grows where tempests toss its boughs and bend its trunk often almost to breaking, is often more firmly rooted than the tree which grows in the sequestered valley where no storm ever brings stress or strain. The same is true of life. The grandest character is grown in hardship. ━Selected