YET WILL HE HAVE COMPASSION.

 

Yet will he have compassion.
Lamentations 3:22

 
ARE you sorely tried?
 
Are you writing bitter things against yourself?
 
Is the hand of God gone out against you?
 
Does he hold back the face of his throne,
  and hang a cloud upon it?
 
Does he break you with breach upon breach?
 
Are you ready to say,
   “All these things are against me?”
 
Cheer up, the storm will soon cease,
  the dark clouds are floating into the distance,
  the sun will soon burst forth,
  even now faith may see the bow in the cloud, for
  “though he cause grief, yet he will have compassion
   according to the multitude of his mercies.”
 
Even now he pities you with a father's pity.
 
He waits but the fittest time to manifest
  himself to you again.
 
Infinite compassion reigns in his heart,
  even while frowns seem to cover his face,
    and the rod is seen in his hand.
 
Keep fast hold of his precious promise.
 
Wait in hourly expectations at his gracious throne.
 
Come to the determination of afflicted Job,
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”
 
But he will not slay you;
  he will try you, purify you,
  fit you for service, and prepare you for heaven;
  and he will have compassion upon you,
    for his compassions fail not.
 

His love is constant us the sun,

Though clouds oft come between,

And could our faith but pierce those clouds,

It might be always seen.

 
James Smith 1849