A WORD OF REFRESHMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT ADDRESSED TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD FOR THE NEW YEAR
Standing upon the threshold of the year,
The living Saviour’s cheering voice we hear,
It tells us of His Father’s changeless love
Resting on us, as on Himself above.
The Father loves us! loves us as His own,
In Christ we’re blessed, accepted in the Son,
He will not leave us, nor will He forsake,
Then let us trust Him, and fresh courage take.
His Father’s love with us the Saviour shares;
For He has made us with Himself co-heirs.
We pass along this world by men unknown,
They knew not Him, God’s well-beloved Son.
Kept by the Father, through His holy name
We are preserved, and would His praise proclaim
As, day by day, His constant grace we prove,
We would continue trusting in His love.
How can we perish, holden by His hand?
How can we wander, keeping His command?
Blest Father, let our minds on Thee be stayed;
Thus kept in peace, how can we be dismayed?
The Lord assures us in Thy restful home
Our place is now prepared, till He shall come
To bring us there. His portion blest to know,
Thy bosom, whence Thine own affections flow.
Those streams, descending to this dreary waste,
E’en now refresh our spirits as we taste
Life’s strengthening waters, fresh from heaven above,
The Spirit’s witness of Thy constant love.
We know not what the days and months may bring
Of joy or sorrow; yet our hearts would sing
Thy praises sweet, because Thou knowest all
And we would trust Thee, whatsoever befall.
O, God our Father, Thine affections rest
On Thine own Son, and we in Him are blest;
The future we would leave in Thine own hand,
Yet hold us fast that we in Thee may stand.
Till He shall come, our blessed living Lord,
For Him we look according to His Word.
Lord Jesus, come, that we Thy face may see!
And in Thy presence dwell eternally.