The Christian’s Desire.
I long, O God! to call thee mine,
And know that I am truly thine;
That all I think, or say, or do,
May meet thine approbation, too.
In all, thy glory I would seek,
And but for thee, Lord, would not speak;
I’d raise my voice in grateful lays,
Nor would I move but to thy praise.
I’d part with joys of earthly mould,
And pass through trials yet untold,
Could I but know my Lord was there,
And did each bitter cup prepare.
I’d love to drink it, and rejoice
To have thy will, dear Lord, my choice.
If I might choose, I’d leave to thee
The whole control of mine and me.
God will protect and save his own,
Though in the fiery furnace thrown;
But did we know our case was sure,
’T might not effect sin’s needed cure.
To break our hold of every tie,
That we to sin and self may die,
God seems to quite forsake us here,
Nor leave one ray of light to cheer.
Though painful now, “the darkest day,
To-morrow, will have passed away,”
Deliverance will be found ere long,
And then will come the conquerer’s song.
If I am favored here to share
An answer to my Saviour’s prayer,
We shall be one, his voice I’ll hear,
When in the clouds he shall appear.
Oh! glorious day to those who’re found
In Him when the last trump shall sound;
Their sorrows and their sufferings o’er,
And prayer to praise turned evermore.