But God Knows

I know not, but God knows;
Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days
To Him are plain and clear.

Each anxious, puzzled "Why?"
From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought;
I know not, but He knows.

I cannot, but God can;
Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop
His hand will lift and bear,

Though eagle pinions tire --
I walk where once I ran --
This is my strength, to know
I cannot, but God can.

I see not, but God sees;
Oh, all-sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way
To Him is always bright.

My strained and peering eyes
May close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep;
I see not, but He sees.
--Annie Johnson Flint

It All Matters

Beloved brethren, we expect the world to be our enemy. But the trials of this life are entering into the very church. Are you and I going to stand on the traditions, on the doctrine, on the faith of our fathers? Or are we going to yield in … a little here, and a little there. “Oh, that don’t matter much…” “Oh, this don’t matter much…”

It all matters, beloved ones. When we know to do good and do it not, it is sin. May God give us grace to stand steadfast to our last breath.

--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. C.D.

For Elijah's Spirit Pray

Truly stones could not help crying
If the watchmen's call would cease,
And the very rocks about us,
Ev'ry one a crying witness
Could no longer hold their peace.
Truly stones could not help crying
If the watchmen's call would cease!

Therefore rise, all ye, His servants;
For Elijah's spirit pray!
If as Lord ye would address Him,
Faithfully ye must confess Him,
And His holy will obey!
Therefore rise, all ye, His servants;
For Elijah's spirit pray!
--Zion's Harp #112 vs. 2-3

He Will Deliver You

Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour.

It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power.

He will not only deliver you; but in doing so, He will give you a lesson that you will never forget, and to which, in many a psalm and song, in after days, you will revert. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has.

--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert

God Was Within the Storm

Let us choose as the wise man that dug a deep foundation and built his house thereupon. And he let the storms then assail it, and the rains beat vehemently upon it and it suffered no loss, but it stood.

So are the children of God planted into this garden here upon earth. If they are founded upon this Solid Rock, they will stand. They will stand all the spiritual trials and temptations. And we have read how God will make such an end to all temptations that we are able to bear them.

Oh, oft times over the spiritual children of God many a storm assaileth! Oft times great dangers they are facing; yet again the storm will lay itself and still itself. And we can feel how God was within the storm and how well protected we were and that there was no harm that befell us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. H.K.

Not Worthy of the Glory

The afflictions of our time
Are not worthy of the glory
Promised in that realm sublime
To the patiently enduring.
See how Jesus as a lamb
Suffered for the sins of man!
--Zion's Harp #243 vs. 5

Trust and Rest

Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.

Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest.

--Excerpt: Streams in the Desert

Look Back to Israel

Ye who are now God's chosen people,

Look back to Israel of old!

From their example take a teaching

And cling to God with heart and soul!

Without complaint and lamentation

Bear ye distress and earth's privation;

Rely upon your Saviour's hand.

Your tears will change to joyful singing;

From desert wild your God is bringing

You to that fair and promised land.

--Zion's Harp #211 vs. 3

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
--I Corinthians 10:1-12

Thus Will Be Manifest All Who Have Loved Him

Each one should be intent on living a quiet, holy, righteous and godly life. For if we be dead unto the world and sin, we cannot live unto ourselves, but in self-denial.

All things which cannot enter the kingdom of heaven must be burnt up and consumed. The Lord has declared that no unclean person can enter into the kingdom of God and it is well that He has done so. Thus will be manifest all who have loved Him with all their heart, whose rock and refuge He has been in all distress. These are trials where our faith is put to the test, in each of which we can be made purer and more glorious.

In the old Israel, we have a complete example, for when they disobeyed His Word and walked in their own ways, God gave them over into the hands of the Philistines who subdued them. And we will fare no better today, if we will not obey, nor take advice.

We must cling to the Saviour, as we are commanded, so that we may prepare ourselves for eternity, for the time of grace is soon past. Even if the Lord does not yet appear, we are in hourly danger of being called out of time into eternity.

But we have reason to believe that His coming will be soon, for we see it by the signs of the times.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. B.W.

In Reproach and Censure

Three men in the furnace
Praised their God on high,
Stood their foes confounded,
Silenced scorn and lie.
In reproach and censure,
I rest calm and free
On this blessed promise:
GOD IS STILL WITH ME.
--Zion's Harp #148 vs. 5