Father, I know that all my life,
Is portioned out for me;
The changes that will surely come,
I do not fear to see.
But I ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on serving Thee.
I ask Thee for a thankful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And to wipe the tearful eyes,
And a heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.
I would not have the restless will,
That hurries to and fro.
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where to go.
I ask Thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life,
Still keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
So Thou be glorified.
And if some things I do not ask,
In my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to Thee,
More careful than to serve Thee much,
To serve Thee carefully.
There are briars besetting every path,
Which call for patient care;
There is a crook in every lot,
And an earnest need of prayer;
But a lonely heart that leans on Thee,
Is happy everywhere.
For a service which Thy love imparts
Can have no bonds for me,
For my secret heart is taught the truth
That makes Thy children free;
And a life of self-renouncing love,
Is a life of liberty.
When Israel was a slave, God became his Redeemer. When he dwelt in tents, God abode in a tent also. When in conflict, God presented Himself as Captain of the Lord’s host. When settled in peace, God established Himself in the house of His glory. The interval was the probation of His people on earth; God abode in the tent, and even when His Ark is taken, he interposes in grace in deliverance.
Christ also, since we are born of a woman, was born of a woman; since His people were under law, was born under law. And now, that he will have a heavenly people, He is on high for us.