| By William Cowper 1779 Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord, who rises With healing in His wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain. In holy contemplation We sweetly then pursue The theme of God’s salvation, And find it ever new; Set free from present sorrow, We cheerfully can say, Let the unknown tomorrow Bring with it what it may. It can bring with it nothing But He will bear us through; Who gives the lilies clothing Will clothe His people, too; Beneath the spreading heavens, No creature but is fed; And He who feeds the ravens Will give His children bread. Though vine nor fig tree neither Their wonted fruit should bear, Though all the field should wither, Nor flocks nor herds be there; Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice, For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice. |
I love Cynthia Clawson’s version of this hymn. It has long held me fascinated. In this lifetime we may worry about supply chain shortages or low food supply, but the answer is here. If we are truly God’s children, not in name only, but walking with Him daily in a love relationship, He takes care of us. He gives us wisdom to prepare for the future but at the same time holds it in His hands. The farmer knows how to wait on the Lord for sunshine and rain and growth in the seeds he’s planted. Father God is ready to give when we have the need and He sees we know how to trust Him for it. But it may come as a surprise and not the way we expected. Do I hear an Amen?!