IT was God’s promise to Israel after failure had come in, and, from their side, all covenant-blessing had been forfeited. But His love would not allow Him to forsake them, even as His grace demands that He never leave His people today. When distressed by a sense of unworthiness, how blessed to realize that He knew all we would ever he and do before He saved us at all, and His presence will go with us to the end and bring us into rest at last, for He has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake,” and we know that He is faithful that promised. He cannot deny Himself.
How often I’d longed for a trustworthy friend,
On whom in all seasons my heart might depend,
Both my joy and my sorrow to share!
But I met with so much disappointment and pain
That I feared my seeking would prove to be vain,
So I nearly gave o’er in despair.
“I was friendless and sad, my heart burdened with grief.
And I knew not to whom I could look for relief,
When I heard a voice, gentle and calm: —
Oh, come unto Me, lay thy head on My breast,
And I will refresh thee; in Me find thy rest,
And I’ll ever protect thee from harm.
“‘I will soothe thee in sorrow, will comfort in pain;
You never shall seek My assistance in vain;
Then refuse not My offer of love.
I will heighten thy joy; I will lessen thy woe;
I will guide thee through life in the path thou should’st go,
And will safely convey thee above.’”