Hymnal: The Christian Hymn-Book
Date: 1815
Compiler: John Thompson et al
Publisher/Printer: Looker and Wallace
First Line: When in the light of faith divine
Topic: Trusting in the Promises of God
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Meter: CM
Tune:
Hymn Number: 71
Page Number: 059, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhen in the light of faith divine,
The heav'nly worlds appear,
A glory thro' the gospel shines,
And brings the promise near.
This pleasing light fills up the sight,
Nor aught besides is seen,
No cloudy days nor thorny maze,
Appear to intervene.
In such a light we often see,
The spreading gospel run,
And thousands flocking home to Christ,
Before the work's begun.
And thus believing, we rejoice,
The vision's truly sweet;
But ere the promise is fulfill'd,
What trials do we meet.
Thus Joseph, in a mighty dream,
With dignity was crown'd;
But ere the vision was fulfill'd,
Behold him stripp'd and bound
Thus Abra'm saw the promis'd seed,
Like sand upon the shore;
Believing souls fill'd up his view,
Till he could count no more.
In steadfast faith he quite the stage,
And Isaac fill'd his place;
A faithful God from age to age,
Calls in the heirs of grace.
What God reveals is always sure,
His promise cannot fail;
Our anchor, hope, may rest secure,
On that within the vail.
Let tempests rise, we'll bear the shock,
Let storms engage the deep,
They cannot move our previous rock,
Whose promise is to keep.
Thick darkness may o'erspread the sphere,
As changing time rolls round:
The heavn'ly vision disappear,
The joyful sun go down.
By faith we grasp the living word,
And bid the tempter flee;
And learn to trust a faithful God,
E'en when we cannot see.
Thro' tribulation and distress,
With joy we'll persevere;
By faith and patience we'll possess
What does not yet appear.
We stand in our forefathers' stead,
With them we'll seize the prize,
And thousands in our steps shall tread,
And meet us in the skies.