THE dispensations of divine providence are often very perplexing; our God has His way in the sea, and his path in the deep waters, and His footsteps are not known. Reason is confounded, and faith is staggered; but He hushes our fears, silences our cries, and bids us "BE STILL." We must lie before him, as the lamb at the shepherd's feet; as the child in the parent's arms. He will not harm us Himself, nor will He let others do so. We must learn that He is God, infinitely wise, invariably good, always a Sovereign. He doeth according to His will in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and all deep places. None can stay His hand, or dispute His right to accomplish His will. Let us therefore keep silence before Him. He is our God, and we are His people; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth throughout all generations. Let us not murmur, for He is gracious; let us not complain, for He is a Father unto us; let us not fear, for He is faithful: but let us wait upon Him, submitting in all things to His will, and surrendering ourselves into His hands with "Here am I, do with me as seemeth Thee good."
When I can trust my all with God, In trial's fearful hour Bow, all resign'd beneath His rod, And bless His sparing power. A joy springs up amidst distress, A fountain in the wilderness.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
THE dispensations of divine providence are often very perplexing; our God has His way in the sea, and his path in the deep waters, and His footsteps are not known. Reason is confounded, and faith is staggered; but He hushes our fears, silences our cries, and bids us "BE STILL." We must lie before him, as the lamb at the shepherd's feet; as the child in the parent's arms. He will not harm us Himself, nor will He let others do so. We must learn that He is God, infinitely wise, invariably good, always a Sovereign. He doeth according to His will in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and all deep places. None can stay His hand, or dispute His right to accomplish His will. Let us therefore keep silence before Him. He is our God, and we are His people; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth throughout all generations. Let us not murmur, for He is gracious; let us not complain, for He is a Father unto us; let us not fear, for He is faithful: but let us wait upon Him, submitting in all things to His will, and surrendering ourselves into His hands with "Here am I, do with me as seemeth Thee good."
When I can trust my all with God, In trial's fearful hour Bow, all resign'd beneath His rod, And bless His sparing power. A joy springs up amidst distress, A fountain in the wilderness.