UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die".
1 Kings 19: 5; 2 Tim 4; Rev 3: 2
Disheartened and weary he lay
Down under the juniper tree:
So faithless was he - not a ray
Of cheer 'mid the gloom could he see.
"Apostasy spreads", hissed the foe,
"Truth fails ... all thine efforts are vain".
A Voice whispered: "Though it be so,
Still 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
"The things which remain! What are they? "
The man of God asked with a sigh.
The Voice breathed: "Around thee to-day,
They faint, they sink, 'ready to die'.
Though strife and division abound,
Though evil thou canst not restrain,
Yet still 'mid the ruins be found
To 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
"On earth still the Spirit abides,
The gospel still sounds from above;
Go forth and wherever He guides,
Still tell the glad message of love.
The Supper - the bread and the wine –
Still speaks of the One Who was slain,
Still spreads thee a feast still divine;
Then, 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
"Each week still a few meet for prayer,
And graciously thus are they led
To cast upon Him all their care,
Who numbers the hairs of their head;
And still by His love some are stirred
To gather in faith yet again
To read and to ponder the Word,
And 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
"The little ones still seek to save;
Oh! care for them; let them be told –
Of Him Who His life freely gave
To save them as well as the old.
The tempest-tossed and the bereaved,
The sick in their weakness and pain,
Still need to be solaced, relieved:
Oh! 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
"'Stand fast!' for the faith still contend, Rise!
Gird thee, 'Be strong in the Lord'.
'Hold fast what thou hast to the end',
And great then shall be thy reward
'The Lord is at hand!' Ne'er forget
The hope of His coming and reign:
Despond not, nor murmur, nor fret,
But, 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
"The Church as a witness has failed,
Her lamp-stand has gone from its place,
Her light for her Lord has long paled,
Yet still shines the light of His face.
Look up - see how brilliant it gleams!
His glory and grace cannot wane;
Go forth then, reflect His bright beams, -
Go, 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
Then from under the juniper tree,
The servant went forth with this prayer:
"My Lord, still there's something for me
To do and to be and to bear;
Though feeble, despised, and obscure,
My soul by Thy love still constrain
For Thee and for Thine to endure,
And 'Strengthen the things which remain'."
S.J.B.Carter
1858-1938