TRUSTING AND WAITING by M. T. D. C.

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 24, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 56, No. 1

TRUSTING AND WAITING.

By M. T. D. C.

“Trust His sure promise, and learn to wait.”

LIKE the sweet refrain of an angel’s song These words, through my night-dream, flowed along; And their holy meaning and music fell Like cooling drops from the life-giving well, On my sorrowing heart and throbbing brain, And my lips repeating them over again; A swift answer to prayer, And reprieve from my care, Seemed the restful words floating down through the air; And the Spirit whispered, “My peace I create In souls that receive me and trust and wait.”

“’Tis the night of Time, and the hour is late,” (I musing said as I helplessly lay On my couch till the glimmering dawn of day); And “the foe comes in” like a swelling flood, To engulf the guilty and harass the good;— But the Spirit the “standard” of Truth has given To watchers, who long for the Day-star of Heaven; On the tide-wave of sin Unbelief surges in,— “Contend for the faith,” and the victory win; “Be vigilant—steadfast,” whatever the strait,— “Hold fast” to the promise, “pray always,” and wait.

“Those who sow in tears,” with zeal emulate: Let the weak and the weary be comforted By words of true wisdom in season said; Admonish the straying, entreat, and win Them back from the smooth quicksands of sin; “Fight the good fight”—“overcome” each day, Girt with the “whole armor of God” alway; “They shall shine as the sun,” When their labor is done, Who souls for the Master have sought and won. His precepts, well suited to every estate, Light the path to the promise,—so work and wait.

What even though love is returned by hate? Be gentle, long-suffering, meek, saith the Word; Enough for the servant to be as his Lord; Examine thyself; thy actions and heart Compare with Heaven’s rule, the infallible chart; And pray that the gold may be purified, Let me be “chastened, made white, and tried.” The good Master must see His own image in thee; ’Till this he discerns, “fiery trials” must be;— Though red with his wrath seems the furnace-plate, ’Tis the glow of his love,—“be patient,” and wait.

Refuse not thy task, whether small or great; In the school of Christ, unmeaning and vain Some lessons may seem, but all will be plain, And the fruit of each study be rich and new, In the higher class and grand review; So with eye on the mark, haste on in the race, Ever cheered by the smile of the Teacher’s face. In his wisdom confide, In his counsels abide; To such his assistance is never denied. The rewards he has proffered, the wise stimulate; There’s a prize for all learners who work and wait.

“What has he promised, my hope to elate?” “Lo, I am with you, even unto the end,” In labors and conflicts, to aid and defend; “My grace is sufficient,” “I’ll never forsake,” “Nor with my chosen my covenant break;” “To Zion with joy, my ransomed shall come;” “With songs and with gladness I’ll gather them home.” Made a glorious bride, Called to reign at my side, “Transformed,” “crowned with glory,” “with peace satisfied,” “They shall walk in white” through the palace-gate, “They shall go no more out,” nor in tears watch and wait.

—M. T. D. C., in Messiah’s Herald.