I WILL LOOK FOR HIM.

 

MARCH 23.
 
I will look for him.
Isaiah 8:17

 THE Lord often conceals himself from his people.

He leaves them, that they may learn

  the value of his presence,
  their dependence upon him, and
  their impotence without him.
 
When he withdraws their comfort declines,
  their prospects are beclouded,
  their enemies are lively, and
  their fears are often strong.
 
They feel desolate, depressed, and alone.
 
And except Satan beguile them, or
  the things of time entangle them,
  they began at once to search for him.
 
They look for him in the works of his hands;
  in the dispensations of his providence;
  in the ordinances of his house;
  in the pages of his word; and
  especially in the closet,
  where they pour out their hearts.
 
They go forward, but he is not there;
  and backward, but they cannot perceive him;
  on the left hand where he doth work,
    but they cannot behold him;
  he hideth himself on the right hand,
   that they cannot see him.
 
Then they passionately cry,
    “Oh that I knew where I might find him!”
 
Disappointed, and dispirited, they fear, fret,

 and perhaps complain;
  but they cannot give up, still they cry,
“I will look for him.”
 

Disconsolate, forsook,

Jesus, for thee I look;

Only thou my heart canst cheer,

Comfort with thyself restore;

Show thyself the Comforter,

Come, and never leave me more.

 
 James Smith 1849