Streams in the Desert

Devotional For

December 9

      Hold Fast and Trust
      
      "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" (Job 13:15). "For I know whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1:12).
      
      "I will not doubt, though all my ships at sea
      Come drifting home with broken masts and sails;
      I will believe the Hand which never fails,
      From seeming evil worketh good for me.
      And though I weep because those sails are tattered,
      Still will I cry, while my best hopes lie shattered:
      'I trust in Thee.'
      
      "I will not doubt, though all my prayers return
      Unanswered from the still, white realm above;
      I will believe it is an all-wise love
      Which has refused these things for which I yearn;
      And though at times I cannot keep from grieving,
      Yet the pure ardor of my fixed believing
      Undimmed shall burn.
      
      "I will not doubt, though sorrows fall like rain,
      And troubles swarm like bees about a hive.
      I will believe the heights for which I strive
      Are only reached by anguish and by pain;
      And though I groan and writhe beneath my crosses.
      I yet shall see through my severest losses,
      The greater gain.
      
      "I will not doubt. Well anchored is this faith,
      Like some staunch ship, my soul braves every gale;
      So strong its courage that it will not quail
      To breast the mighty unknown sea of death.
      Oh, may I cry, though body parts with spirit,
      'I do not doubt,' so listening worlds may hear it,
      With my last breath."
      
      "In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there."
      
      This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way.
      
      Reason cannot help you; past experiences give you no light. Even prayer fetches no consolation. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there.
      
      You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may--winds, waves, cross-seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers--no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness, His covenant engagement, His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. --Richard Fuller