And fill us with fears, We triumph by faith: He cannot take from us, Though oft he has tried, This heart-cheering promiseThe Lord will provide! He tells us we're weak, No strength of our own When life sinks apace, And death is in view, This word of His grace Shall comfort us through: No fearing or doubting, 8. ESAU. Chap. xxv. Heb. xii. 16. POOR Esau repented too late, That once he his birthright despised, And sold, for a morsel of meat, What could not too highly be prized: He stands as a warning to all, While yet for repentance there's room! Your season will quickly be past, Then hear and obey it to-day, Lest, when you seek mercy at last, The Saviour should frown you away. What is it the world can propose? For this are you willing to lose Its pleasures will speedily end, Its favour and praise are but breath; If Jesus, for these, you despise, When summon'd to stand at His bar : How will you His presence abide? What anguish will torture your heart! The saints all enthroned by His side, And you be compell'd to depart. Too often, dear Saviour, have I The blessing and birthright to me? Though pardon and heaven be mine; To me belongs nothing but shame, The praise and the glory be Thine! 9. JACOB'S LADDER. Chap. xxviii. 12. IF the Lord our Leader be, Home, with Him, is everywhere: When from Esau Jacob fled, Though his pillow was a stone, And the ground his humble bed, Yet he was not left alone. Kings are often waking kept, Rack'd with cares on beds of state: Never king like Jacob slept, For he lay at heaven's gate. Lo! he saw a ladder rear'd, Reaching to the heavenly throne; At the top the Lord appear'd, Spake, and claim'd him for His own. 'Fear not, Jacob, thou art Mine, Till I have accomplish'd all.' Well does Jacob's ladder suit To the Gospel throne of grace; Jesus heaven and earth unites; We by faith ascend to God,* God to dwell with us delights. They who know the Saviour's name Who have such a Guide and Guard? Every spot is holy ground, God is there--and He's their home. 10. MY NAME IS JACOB. Chap. xxxii. 27. NAY, I cannot let Thee go Till a blessing Thou bestow; Do not turn away Thy face, Mine's an urgent, pressing case. Dost Thou ask me who I am? Ah, my Lord, Thou know'st my name; Yet the question gives a plea To support my suit with Thee. Thou didst once a wretch behold, Sought Thy mercy-seat by prayer ; * 2 Cor. vi. 15. |